No. 1 Northern members Neil Carlton, Paul Ullrich and Ian Plett stand outside the Richardson grain elevator terminal in Thunder Bay.

The No. 1 Northern a big hit in Thunder Bay!

    For the first time ever, the No.1 Northern's Free-Mo group displayed their layout outside Winnipeg's city limits in Thunder Bay, Ontario, at the TLR's 2015 convention in Thunder Bay, which held from May 21 to May 24. Ian Plett  transported the layout in his own trailer from Winnipeg to Thunder Bay, accompanied by our youngest member, Michael Leader. The group set up in the building that used to house Thom Thumb Hobbies in the city. Two N gauge layouts were also on display at the location. The Free-Mo layout was a big hit, and one of the main attractions at the convention's layout hop. It was the first time since 2012 that a modular layout had been set up at a TLR convention.

   No. 1 Northern members also walked away with several awards at the convnetion's annual banquet. Ian Plett, Neil Carlton, Fred Headon (MMR) and Margaret Ullrich all won model contest awards. Paul Ullrich won best in show in the photo contest for his image of ballast spreading on the CP Rail Noyes Division. He also won the Bob Dew award for his continued and dedicated volunteer service to the TLR.

   But the best and the most important news of all was that Dennis Rietze was named President of the TLR! It's been many years since the Region had a Canadian President, and they couldn't have made a better choice than with our Dennis! He will also continue to hold the post as Superintendent of the No. 1 Northern Division.

   For more images of the No. 1 Northern Division at Thunder Bay, please click on the slide show below.