The sounds of trains and the excitement of enthusiasts filled the historical train station in Portage la Prairie this weekend during Portage Train Day, an annual event that draws model railroading fans from across Manitoba. Hosted by the Portage Model Railroad Club, the event featured seven displays and welcomed clubs like the Manitoba T-Track Group to showcase their layouts and foster community ties.
"We're all set up and getting people in, it's going well so far,” said Samuel Reichelt, president of the Portage Model Railroad Club. "We have everything from G scale locomotives to our main HO scale layout, which I work on the most. There's something for everyone."
The Manitoba T-Track Club, based out of Winnipeg, brought their modular N scale layout. N scale is smaller than traditional models, making it ideal for quick setups and portability.
"It's a great event for us," said Eric Dawson, a member of the T-Track Club. "We've been invited out a few times now, and it's always rewarding to be part of the broader model railroad community in Manitoba."
Beyond the tracks and dioramas, the event had a charitable aspect. Admission proceeds are being donated to Portage Heritage Inc., which owns and maintains the historic station.
"We generally donate the funds to the Portage Heritage Committee," Reichelt explained. "They're responsible for this building, and we want to support their work."
Tom McCartney, a member of the Portage Heritage group, emphasized the importance of preserving the building and opening it up for public use.
"It's one of the hidden jewels in Portage," he said. "It was damaged in a Halloween fire in 2000, and it's taken years of volunteer work and donations to bring it back."
The event also provided an opportunity for the Portage Model Railroad Club to promote their club. The club is currently building a new portable layout after encountering challenges with the size of their current display.
Train Day not only celebrated the technical and creative aspects of model railroading, but also highlighted the importance of community, heritage, and collaboration.
The Portage Heritage Inc. will hold their AGM on June 16 and invites the public to attend and take part in preserving local history.
