Trains on display at Saskatoon Lawson Heights mall
As shoppers check off the final items on their Christmas shopping lists at Lawson Heights mall, dozens stop to view any train enthusiast's dream.
A miniature world of road and rail, with trains streaking across a landscape designed after the views and vistas of Western Canada, has been set up by the Rocky Ridge Model Railroad club.
The attention to detail is meticulous, not just on the trains, but also on the landscape. Campers can be seen in this world's forests, hikers in its hills, and bears on its mountains.
Darcy Remlinger, the vice president of the Rocky Ridge Model Railroad club says they've reached a mutually beneficial agreement with the mall to provide an attraction, while the mall provides them a place to keep their layout.
"We jumped at it because we don't have a permanent clubhouse or a home for our layout, when we're not at shows and don't have a place to display it, it just sits in our trailer," said Remlinger.
Remlinger's hobby started as a child when he was given a model train set as a gift, and the passion has followed him into adulthood.
These models are no child's toy and take a team of dedicated hobbyists. "It's a lot of work, a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. A lot of money goes into it too," said Remlinger.
The Rocky Ridge Model Railroad club is celebrating its 40-year anniversary this year and plans to host the All Aboard model train show in February to mark the occasion.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'We called a Code Silver': LHSC goes into lockdown after shooting outside emergency department
The emergency department (ED) doors at LHSC Victoria Campus were being repaired Saturday morning after a person fired a gun into the glass.
BREAKING
BREAKING Landslide closes B.C.'s Sea to Sky Highway
A landslide shut down the Sea to Sky Highway near Lions Bay in both directions Saturday morning.
Canada Post union negotiator bucks at labour minister's calling for a 'time-out'
This week, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced a 'time-out' in the ongoing Canada Post strike. In a way, Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) negotiator Jim Gallant says he agrees with that phrasing.
ABC agrees to give US$15 million to Donald Trump's presidential library to settle defamation lawsuit
ABC News has agreed to pay US$15 million toward Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential library to settle a lawsuit over an inaccurate on-air assertion that the president-elect had been found civilly liable for rape.
Enbridge pipeline spills 70,000 gallons of oil in Wisconsin
Roughly 70000 gallons (264,978 litres) of oil from a pipeline spilled into the ground in Wisconsin, officials said.
YouTube singer arrested in Iran after performing an online concert while not wearing a hijab
Iranian authorities have arrested a female singer who performed a virtual concert on YouTube, a lawyer said.
Woman accusing Jay-Z and Sean 'Diddy' Combs of sexual assault acknowledges inconsistencies
A woman accusing rappers Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting her when she was 13 has acknowledged certain inconsistencies in her story.
British departure means uncertain future for Alberta's massive Suffield military base
A sprawling military training base more than twice the size of New York City in southeastern Alberta appears to be a shadow of its former self while its future use remains up in the air.
Son of Ottawa firefighter battling cancer meets his hero Sidney Crosby
The son of an Ottawa firefighter had the chance of a lifetime to meet one of hockey's greatest players.
Regina
-
Second suspect in suspicious death on Sask. First Nation arrested
The second suspect wanted by Saskatchewan RCMP in connection to a suspicious death on White Bear First Nation has been arrested.
-
Crews respond to blaze at downtown Moose Jaw motel, one person sent to hospital
One person was sent to hospital with fire-related injuries following a blaze at a downtown motel in Moose Jaw on Friday night.
-
Regina Christmas Wish List works to help families in need get something under the tree
The Regina Christmas Wish List has been fulfilling Christmas gift requests for over 15 years.
Winnipeg
-
National Police Federation raises concerns over Manitoba’s border reinforcement plans
The association representing RCMP officers said it’s concerned about the province’s plans for more overtime to help patrol the border.
-
Suspect arrested in unprovoked attack on taxi driver: Police
A taxi driver sustained minor injuries after he was attacked by a 34-year-old man in Winnipeg’s St. James area.
-
'Should be a concern': The Boyd Building put on the endangered list
A Winnipeg building is on the endangered list.
Edmonton
-
Enbridge reports 265,000-litre oil spill in Wisconsin
Calgary-based pipeline giant Enbridge says it has cleaned up about 60 per cent of a nearly 265,000-litre oil spill in Wisconsin that was discovered last month.
-
The benefits of indoor plants and how to keep them alive over the winter
Indoor plants have been shown to reduce stress and aid cognitive functions and many are easy to care for throughout the winter.
-
From true crimes to terror: When is 'dark tourism' too dark?
Why are the locations of past atrocities, natural disasters, infamous deaths and incarcerations so popular with visitors? What does it say about us?
Calgary
-
British departure means uncertain future for Alberta's massive Suffield military base
A sprawling military training base more than twice the size of New York City in southeastern Alberta appears to be a shadow of its former self while its future use remains up in the air.
-
Province allocates $5.5M to fight human trafficking in Alberta
The around-the-clock effort to combat human trafficking in Alberta has been bolstered by additional provincial funding.
-
Enbridge reports 265,000-litre oil spill in Wisconsin
Calgary-based pipeline giant Enbridge says it has cleaned up about 60 per cent of a nearly 265,000-litre oil spill in Wisconsin that was discovered last month.
Lethbridge
-
Province provides $150K to help fund programs for newcomer youth
Brooks, Alta., officials with the John Ware Youth Empowerment Program are hoping gto help even more young newcomers thanks to a $150,000 grant from the province.
-
Hitmen's Howe, Hurricanes' Yager make Team Canada world junior roster
Team Canada announced its 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship roster on Friday, including three players on southern Alberta WHL teams. Tanner Howe, of the Calgary Hitmen, Brayden Yager, of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, and Gavin McKenna, of the Medicine Hat Tigers, were among the 14 forwards that will be donning the maple leaf later this month.
-
Lethbridge's small businesses feeling the impact of continued Canada Post strike
It’s been four weeks since Canada Post employees went on strike, and small business owners in Lethbridge say the ongoing dispute makes it hard to keep shelves stocked.
Toronto
-
Man who allegedly assaulted, and stole and damaged victim’s property at Broadview Station charged
A suspect who allegedly assaulted a victim, and stole and damaged their personal property earlier this month in the city’s east end is in police custody.
-
Holiday tax break is a 'pain in the butt' for some Ontario retailers
Some small businesses in Ontario think the upcoming holiday tax break is a 'pain in the butt' that could potentially cause issues before and after the policy is over.
-
'We can’t search forever:' Drug shortage leaves Ontario family scrambling to find epilepsy medication
For months, Rebecca Roland and her family have been scouring the province for pharmacies that carry her father’s epilepsy medication.
Ottawa
-
Son of Ottawa firefighter battling cancer meets his hero Sidney Crosby
The son of an Ottawa firefighter had the chance of a lifetime to meet one of hockey's greatest players.
-
Man taken to trauma centre in Orleans crash
Ottawa police are investigating a two-car crash in Orléans on Saturday afternoon.
-
U.S. alcohol ban could result in short term gain, long term pain, Ontario brewers say
Ontario craft brewers say halting the purchase of American booze by the LCBO would have mixed implications.
Montreal
-
Montreal man died of aneurysm after waiting 6 hours in ER
A 39-year-old Montreal man died of an aneurysm after spending six hours in an emergency room before giving up and going home.
-
GST holiday on a host of products starting today
A two-month break in the federal goods and services tax (GST) on certain products comes into effect today.
-
Tiny, endangered sea turtle found on Quebec’s Magdalen Islands for the first time
One of the world’s smallest and most endangered turtle species was found on the shores Quebec’s Magdalen Islands last week – a first in the province.
Vancouver
-
Suspect charged in West Vancouver murder that police call 'tragic incident of family violence'
A 39-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in a case investigators are calling "a tragic incident of family violence."
-
'Worker safety incident' shuts down Stanley Park Train until further notice
The Bright Nights holiday train in Stanley Park is closed until further notice after a "worker safety incident," the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation said in a statement Saturday.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Landslide closes B.C.'s Sea to Sky Highway
A landslide shut down the Sea to Sky Highway near Lions Bay in both directions Saturday morning.
Kelowna
-
Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas
A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas.
-
Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026
The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday.
-
545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down
Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day.
Vancouver Island
-
Power outages, downed trees and cancelled ferries due to B.C. windstorm
Thousands of British Columbians were without power Saturday morning as high winds reached the South Coast.
-
Are bigger, better vessels coming to BC Ferries? Why critics are questioning the proposal
BC Ferries is taking a step forward in its plan to build five new vessels, but critics say the proposal could be steering the province into troubled waters.
-
Strong winds and high tides could bring storm surge to coastal B.C., forecaster says
Environment Canada is warning of a storm surge on British Columbia's south coast that could reach a metre high.
London
-
'We called a Code Silver': LHSC goes into lockdown after shooting outside emergency department
The emergency department (ED) doors at LHSC Victoria Campus were being repaired Saturday morning after a person fired a gun into the glass.
-
London Knights defeat Windsor Spitfires on home ice
The London Knights hosted the Windsor Spitfires on Friday night at Canada Life Place, taking home the win.
-
Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins
As a two-month break from the federal GST took effect Saturday, shoppers and businesses expressed lukewarm support for the measure.
Kitchener
-
Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins
As a two-month break from the federal GST took effect Saturday, shoppers and businesses expressed lukewarm support for the measure.
-
Kitchener’s House of Friendship receives $500,000 dollar grant for affordable housing project
Kitchener’s House of Friendship is getting a funding boost from the City of Kitchener.
-
61-year-old pedestrian hurt in Cambridge collision
A 61-year-old pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a collision in Cambridge Saturday morning.
Northern Ontario
-
Outpouring of support for woman shot at northern Ont. bank
There has been an outpouring of support for a woman who was shot at a northern Ontario bank on Thursday.
-
One dead after single vehicle rollover in northern Ontario
A 65-year-old man from northern Ontario has died after a single-vehicle rollover Thursday evening near Temiskaming Shores.
-
Buckingham Palace maid arrested after drunken brawl at work Christmas party
Buckingham Palace is investigating after a member of staff was arrested at the end of a rowdy Christmas party.
Atlantic
-
Christmas carnage: Brave New Brunswickers undertake outdoor endurance test before Christmas
A group of New Brunswickers are running in the cold and jumping in a lake as part of a Christmas tradition
-
N.B. RCMP conduct latest search for missing man near Sussex
Officers with the New Brunswick RCMP’s Specialized Policing Services spent the day Saturday searching the Whites Mountain area near Sussex, N.B., as part of an ongoing disappearance investigation.
-
Saint John pedway reopens following extended closure
After being closed for eight months, the Saint John pedway system is reopened for pedestrians uptown.
N.L.
-
'Breaking of gridlock' between Quebec, N.L. is the envy of former premiers
Former Newfoundland and Labrador premiers say a draft energy agreement signed Thursday with Quebec marks a historic break in a long-standing political standoff.
-
Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador announce energy deal worth billions
Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador have signed a sweeping new deal to build new energy projects and throw out a decades-old contract that has long been a source of strife and bitterness for Canada's easternmost province.
-
Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador expected to sign Churchill Falls energy deal
Quebec Premier François Legault and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey are scheduled to announce an energy agreement Thursday that could end decades of friction between the two provinces.
