Fred Shannon is a car checker at the Winnipeg Yard, but at home he regularly pulls the throttle on 100-car trains. That's because he has dedicated his entire basement to a model railroad that represents CP Rail's operations in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.

Fred is one of several railway employees who have spent every spare moment of the past few months getting ready for Railway Jamboree 83, the annual convention of the National Model Railroad Association.

It takes place in Winnipeg 18-24 Jul 1983, and is expected to attract about 1,500 modellers from around the world.

During the convention, hundreds of delegates will view Fred's home layout. Even among modellers, he is well-known for the sophisticated operation he runs at home.

TOURS PLANNED

To run his trains, he has laid 1,000 feet (304 metres) of track winding over rough terrain that represents the Canadian Shield. His 100-car consists, though miniature in size, extend about 60 feet (18 metres). There are over 100 locomotives, both steam and diesel, and about 500 freight cars.

Many CP Rail employees in the Winnipeg area are helping in other ways. There will be tours of Weston Shops and the Winnipeg Diesel Shop, where equipment rarely seen by the public can be viewed and photographed. CP Rail is also sponsoring a special model contest, with an award to be given for the models most representative of the railway.

The week-long convention will feature many model contests, clinics on model building, and railroading, tours of some of the better Winnipeg home layouts, and general tours of local rail facilities. One of these "fan trips" will be made using a former C.P.R. steam engine that is almost 100 years old.

One of the clinics will be conducted by Lawrence Stuckey, a retired CP Rail locomotive engineer who has earned an international reputation for his railway photography.

One of the most detailed layouts of CP Rail facilities to be featured on tours is that of John Morris, a computer technician with NCR. John's models are accurate right down to the dirt and grime.

All are operational, and many are powered with special 12-volt computer motors and miniature ball bearings. John is one of fewer than 50 persons in the world to be awarded a NMRA Master Model Builder certificate.

The convention is planned with NMRA members in mind, but anyone interested in modelling is welcome to attend. Day and evening passes are available to CP Rail employees at nominal cost all week.

Also, a public show with special model displays will take place in the convention centre from Thursday night to Sunday.

Admission to the public show is $4, but CP Rail employees are eligible for $1 discount coupons which can be picked up at Winnipeg area hobby shops.

This CP Rail News article is copyright 1983 by the Canadian Pacific Railway and is reprinted here with their permission. All photographs, logos, and trademarks are the property of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company.