MOOSE JAW — Railroad enthusiasts young and old gathered last weekend at the Western Development Museum (WDM) in Moose Jaw for the annual Thunder Creek Model Train Show, an event that brings hobbyists together from across the province each year.
With 32 exhibitors showcasing intricate model railway displays, the show was a celebration of craftsmanship, storytelling, and a shared passion for trains on March 22 and 23.
“The model train show has a whole bunch of displays throughout the museum,” said Alexis Jones, the museum’s program and volunteer co-ordinator. “We also have trains for sale, a concession on-site, a door prize draw, and a voters’ choice award, where visitors can vote for their favourite display.”
A tradition of camaraderie
Barry Johnson, president of the Thunder Creek Model Railroad Club, has seen the event grow over the years.
“It’s a collection of model railroaders. We get together, do a show once a year, and invite the public to see all the various displays we have,” Johnson said about the two-day event.
“Exhibitors come from Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Regina — it’s a chance to meet, compare railroading projects, and share our passion.”
The exhibitors’ banquet on Sunday featured a penny parade, a lighthearted raffle, and prizes. For Johnson, the real reward was the sense of community from the show and the shared meal that followed.
“We appreciate everybody coming. Some travel a long way to be here, and we’re always happy to see the public take an interest,” he said. “This hobby is unfortunately fading, so it’s exciting to see a strong turnout this year.”
A lifelong passion
Among the exhibitors was Doug Hunter, a Regina-based model train enthusiast who has been attending the show for years. For him, the event is as much about friendships as it is about trains.
“I have a large collection at home, and I’m downsizing now,” he said on Saturday afternoon. “But (a large part of why) I come here is to meet old friends and make new ones — people from Edmonton, Winnipeg, and all over; it’s always good to see them again.”
Hunter’s lifelong love for trains began when he was just four years old, sparked by a Christmas gift from his mother. His dream of becoming a locomotive engineer came true, and he eventually landed a rewarding career with Canadian National Railway (CN).
“I was so proud of my job as an engineer, I even made my own CN business card,” he said with a smile.
Building Saskatchewan in miniature
For Vince Parker and his fellow members of the River Crossing North Prince Albert Model Railroad Club, creating model train displays is a labour of love.
“We travel across the province to showcase our layout,” Parker said. “It’s a hobby, not work; we put in hours because we enjoy it.”
The club’s layout reflects Saskatchewan’s prairie landscape, complete with grain elevators, farms, oil and gas facilities, and even a scenic backdrop resembling the provincial skyline.
“You’ll see scenes that are familiar — something you might spot driving down the highway or alongside a rail line,” Parker said. “There’s always a little something extra to spot (in our display), like bears, deer, or even skinny dippers in the river. It’s those small details that keep people looking.”
Parker noted that the layout is always a work in progress. Constant adjustments and repairs are part of the process, especially after transporting the display to various shows. Still, the process is assisted by cleverly designed sections that come together to form the completed display.
“It takes about three hours to set up, and after a day of exhibiting, we’re usually on the road by 6:30 p.m.,” he said. “But we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
To learn more about the Moose Jaw Thunder Creek Model Railroad Club, visit TCMRC.org.
For more information about the WDM, visit WDM.ca/Moose-Jaw. Alexis Jones can be reached at 306-693-5989 or at [email protected].
The Western Development Museum is located at 50 Diefenbaker Drive.
