The First Fifty Years

A brief history of the
Bow Valley Model Railroad Association
1963 - 2013
by Jack Clarke

On October 10, 1962, a meeting was held at the home of Ted Richardson, attended by ten men who were interested in forming a house-to- house model railroad club. We have seen many members come and go as the years passed. As of 2013 the club has expanded to twenty two active members.

At first, Rae Lapidge held the chair until Bill Walter was elected to the position. George Oliphant was elected secretary. As no dues were to be collected, there was no need for a treasurer. Meetings were held to draft a constitution and bylaws and to then register them with the Provincial Government. This was completed on May 15, 1963.

Over the past fifty years, the club has been involved in many functions in the model railroad community. We have participated in model train shows at the Calgary Stampede grounds including the Kinsmen Centre, North Pavilion, BMO Centre, Big Four Building. Other venues have been SAIT, Southland Community Centre, Mewata Armories, Heritage Park, Tri-wood Community Centre, and most recently the Subway Soccer Centre.

We have also traveled with our layout to a number of locations to assist other clubs in promoting the hobby such as Golden B.C., Edmonton, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, and Regina Saskatchewan.

In May 1997 the club received a special invitation to go to Banff, Alberta to participate in the Insurance Commission of British Columbia to show our layout and to display the various commodities which the railroad's handled and the Insurance Commission covered. This was a very rewarding experience for the members that attended.

As our volunteer community service over the years, we have been showing our layout in various locations, including The Children's Hospital, Peter Lougheed Hospital, General Hospital, as well as Senior's Residences: Aspen Lodge, Edinbrook Manor, Renoir Manor, Trinity Lodge. Canyon Meadows, Forest Grove Care Centre, and Valley Ridge Complex. This activity is well received by the residents, and very rewarding to our club members.

Bow Valley Model Railroad Association, Calgary - 2022