Feb 28th 2026 SLD Meet
Our Hands-On Program for this season will focus on Rolling Stock Construction Techniques. One of the morning clinics will focus on a “rolling stock construction” which we will then be able to implement/practice on our model kits in the afternoon Kit Busters workshop. Should rolling stock not be your desire this year. No problem! All projects are welcome at our workshop sessions, where you can find fellow modellers with tips and tricks to help you.
Morning Meet
Make sure you join us at the February meet where the morning will include:
- Short business meeting, NMRA Vision 2035 Discussion
- Clinic 1 – Dispatching a Model Railroad by Doug Matheson
- Clinic 2 – BoxCar construction Details by Normand & Lloyd
- Display Table Review – Early Canadian Boxcars.
Afternoon Hands-On Workshop – Advanced Rolling Stock Construction
During the afternoon workshop we will continue working on the Tichy box Car.
Participants should bring along the following tools / for assembling of their model:
- A work surface; optional: work light, Magnifier glasses
- Exacto knife or Utility knife.
- Sandpaper and marker.
- Ruler and tweezers.
- Hand drill and pliers.
- Scriber (light green pencil)
- Masking tape and adhesive.
- A ruler with a 90-degree angle.
- A variety of sanding sticks.
- A jewelry sticky tool designed for handling small parts.
- Styrene compatible liquid cement.
- Miniature drills & holder;
Not necessary but very useful;
- Digital Caliper.
- Electric sander with different adapters and sandpaper.
- Electric drill which can adapt different bits.
Personal Project
- Even if you are not participating in this year’s project, we encourage you to bring out your own personal project to work on. Come and engage in the membership comradery!
Entry Fee
The Entry Fee for the day is $8.00.
Hall doors will open at 8:45 AM with the meet starting around 9:15 AM.
See the Next SLD Meet page for further details
March Mail Car – Now Online
The March issue of the SLD newsletter – The Mail Car – is now online!
Go to the Mailcar Directory page to download the resolution version you desire.
NFR 2026 Convention – Registration Is Now Open!
The 2026 NFR Convention is now accepting registrations.
Go to the convention web site to purchase your convention pass, reserve your lodging and explore the various activities that are planned.
January Meet
Photographs of the January 31st Meet are now available for viewing on line.
2025-2026 SLD Hands-on Project
Our Hands on Project objectives are to develop our kit building, kit bashing and scratch building skills, while progressing together during the season. Lloyd and his team of knowledgeable people will be helping you all with your builds.
We will build three freight cars: a tank car, a box car with kit bashing, and a flat car with kit bashing and scratch-built load. While the three kits are not ‘shake the box’ kits they do go together well with some care and consideration. All members of the St-Lawrence Division are invited to participate.
Each meeting will include a Hands-on clinic outlining the work to be done, accompanied by a step-by-step guide. You will receive detailed information regarding the necessary tools to facilitate an efficient construction process this summer. The first build, beginning with the tank car, will commence in September and finish in October, the second build box car will commence in November and finish in January. The third build, the flat car, will commence in February and finish in April. We will close the year with a display of all our work in May.
Lloyd and Normand are inviting individuals with relevant knowledge to assist us with Hands on clinic. Come share with us the techniques you have discovered or used successfully.
Welcome to the St. Lawrence Division web site
We are the local Division of the National Model Railroader Association encompassing members located in Eastern Ontario and upstate New York.
The SLD “season” extends from September through to May during which we actively host meetings and workshops for the membership. Guests are always welcome so feel free to join us as we’d love to show you around.
The 2025/2026 Season
The SLD meets will typically take place the last Saturday for the months of: Sept, Oct, Nov, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr & May.
The mornings include general NMRA/NFR information two or more clinics/presentations and a walk through of the Display table. The afternoon is dedicated to the Hands On Workshop.
As is often our practice, the Sept and May meets will be held in the neighbouring communities. Further details will be provided closer the the event dates.
Here is the schedule for the 2025/26 season.
| Meet / Workshop Date | Location |
|---|---|
| Sept 27, 2025 | Church Hall Meeting |
| Nov 8, 2025 | Church Hall Meeting |
| Nov 29, 2025 | Cancelled |
| Jan 31, 2026 | Church Hall Meeting |
| Feb 28, 2026 | Church Hall Meeting |
| March 28, 2026 | Church Hall Meeting |
| Apr 25, 2026 | Church Hall Meeting |
| May 30, 2025 | Church Hall Meeting |
Contacting the SLD Executive
We have now established formal email addresses for the SLD Executive members. These can be found under the Contacts in the above menu (right hand end). So if you ever have a need to reach out to an SLD Executive member, merely click on the person’s link to send them an email.
We’d love to hear from you whether you have a question, concern, request or suggestion, we’re here for you!
SLD Kitbusters Facebook Group
We initially set up our Facebook group called St Lawrence Div NMRA to enhance our communications during the Covid Pandemic. This has proven to be a very effective tool allowing members to post/share their own material that we will continue it’s use even after we return to face-to-face meetings. Please consider joining the group. The more of you who do, the better the experience for all of us. Once you are a FB member, search for the name of the group and ask to join. The admin will then allow you in and you are all set to share with other SLDers.