Model train enthusiasts will be excited to hear that the Thunder Creek Model Railway club has set up an exciting exhibit in the Moose Jaw Town N’ Country mall that will be open to the public every Friday and Saturday from 1 pm to 5 pm. The club hopes to promote the hobby of model railroading and inspire an interest in the public.
A contract signed between the mall and the Thunder Creek Model Railway club has made this exhibit possible for a year in the mall’s community space program. The Thunder Creek Model Railroad club expressed their sincere appreciation to the Town N’ Country mall for providing them space to display their hobby.
The Thunder Creek Model Railway club is a non-profit group of 20 model railroaders that gets together to promote the hobby. Usually set up at the Western Development Museum, with this new available space has made it possible for them to set up at the mall.
The club was originally started in 1967 by Rick Percy and only consisted of 5 members. In 1995, the club joined the Western Development Museum and in 2005 they had a permanent display. The equipment they use, including the electronics, is either privately owned by members of the club, or by the club itself.
"It's a lot of fun; it's not a cheap hobby because of all the electronics involved, but it's very satisfying and very fun. Just watching people come in saying 'wow' is very rewarding," said Gilles Doiron, a member of the Thunder Creek Model Railway Club.
In the past, the Thunder Creek Model Railway Club has held fundraisers called the Train Show and that has always been a great way to promote the club. But due to the pandemic, the Train Show was cancelled for the last couple years but the club hopes to finally be able to return with a great show in 2023.
The exhibit at the mall took approximately three hours to set-up and is a way to show off some of the modules they have, although they will be changing the look of the exhibit periodically.
"Come out and enjoy the layout. Bring the kids out, let them have a look-and-see; get them interested, or try to get them interested. If you have an interest, come and talk to us ‘cause we’re open to discussions and letting people know what we're all about." said Barry Johnson, President of the Thunder Creek Model Railway club.
