Steel Town RPM 2026

Debuting at the Steel Town RPM! Come take a look at the prototype for Yelton Model's newest project, the London & Port Stanley L1-L3. Under development is an HO scale model of the famous GE 60-ton boxcabs that plied a 24-mile short line ferrying coal from connections on Lake Erie to St Thomas and London. If you have ever wanted to model one of these iconic engines preserved at the Halton County Radial Museum and Elgin County Railway Museum, keep an eye out for more, and come visit the Steel Town RPM to get a look at a development sample!

Lifesavers is a well-known candy brand known for its spearmint mints and fruit-flavoured gummies. A little less well known is that Hamilton was home to one of its factories. Opening in 1922 and situated at 100 Cumberland Ave, this sweet-smelling building made candy for 82 years, permanently closing in 2004. I've heard stories from old neighbours who recount the times the factory was open, they said that of all the flavours that were made making the neighbourhood smell good butterscotch was the people's favourite.

Though the building still stands today in a rather run-down state you can see it in all its glory on the HOMES layout which will be open during the RPM Meet! (can't promise it’ll smell as nice as the real one did though)

Our next Clinic is by Emerson Case, who will present the overall plans for the Toronto Terminal Railways scene on his home N-scale layout. The scene is over 30 feet long and features Union Station (head house and train shed), CPR John Street Terminal, CNR Spadina Terminal and Coach Yard, with integrated control panels for John Street and Scott Street interlocking. The presentation will cover the main structure design and assembly, the track layout choices and the electronic control systems for the interlockings.

Our next clinic will be presented by Andy Malette on the construction of the North American Bent Chair Co. and RCA building on the CNR side of Owen Sound Harbour in S-scale.
An avid modeller throughout his life beginning with American Flyer models, Andy returned to S-scale after discovering the CNR mogul kit produced by Simon Parent’s S-scale Loco and Supply. Inspired by Peter Bowers famous book “Two Divisions to Bluewater” Andy had planned a layout of the Wiarton and Owen Sound Subdivisions in HO scale, but now began to realize his vision in S-scale. Andy helped increase the CNR offerings in S-scale and became a manufacturer himself including developing and manufacturing his own S-scale kit for the iconic CNR K-3-b light pacifics that were regular features on the Owen Sound sub.
One of the Iconic structures at the Owen Sound harbour front, the RCA building is an important part of the CNR engine terminal area in Owen Sound. Andy will discuss the history of the industry as well as the methods and challenges of building this structure in S-scale. Andy will also present the recent developments in his engine servicing area, including service track, engine house lead, fully operational turntable, and roundhouse structures.

Paul Hurly will be presenting “Scratch that NMRA Achievement Program ‘Cars’ Itch” A look at what it takes to complete the NMRA Master Builder – Cars certificate, followed by a walkthrough of his first rolling stock scratch-build project.

The focus will be on a CPR 315000-series 62-foot, 100-ton flat car built by Napanee Industries. The model is part of a growing fleet intended to recreate the famous Steel Train, which operated as a TH&B / CPR / CNR joint venture from 1980 to 1987 between Stelco’s Hilton Works and the Lake Erie Works at Nanticoke.

If you’re interested in scratch building freight cars or the NMRA Achievement Program, this session should be right up your alley. Hope to see some fellow modelers there!

Calling all prototype railway modellers!

Join us for the Steel Town Railway Prototype Modellers’ Meet on April 18th, 2026, from 8:30am to 4:30pm at the Eva Rothwell Centre in Hamilton. (3 months away now!!)

Enjoy a day of high-quality prototype model displays—finished or in progress—along with five live clinic presentations, sales tables, and raffle prizes. Whether it’s a finely detailed masterpiece or a humble train-show bargain brought up to prototype standards, this is the place to share, learn, and talk trains with like-minded modellers. Admission is just $10, and the HO Model Engineers Society layout will be running throughout the day.

Wartime traffic necessitated the New York Central transferring heavier power to the Canada Southern to meet the demands. Mohawk #2998 crosses the Welland Canal at Bridge 15 on its journey east with hot frontier traffic. Bridge 15 is a scratch-built structure and part of the amazing Welland scene on the HOMES club layout, which will be open during the Steel Town RPM. Take a look at the amazing scratch-built structures on the layout and enjoy the great clinics and model display on April 18th, 2026 at the Steel Town RPM!

Not quite shoebox modelling, bit pretty close. Here we have the beginnings of a small module built by James Thiesen depicting an Ontarian branch line as it was when Moguls roamed the territory. Has anyone else tried a small scale module like this? The Steel Town RPM is a perfect place to display it! Leave a comment or reach out if you'd like to display your own diorama or have any questions.

We're looking forward to seeing all of your models at the Steel Town RPM! Here we see 2 Tichy USRA Single Sheath boxcars built by John Sharpe primed and ready for paint. One will become an NYC example, the other a Canadian Pacific USRA clone. What will you be bringing on April 18th?

Bring your work-in-progress models! The Steel Town RPM is a great opportunity to share progress and get ideas from fellow modellers.

Here we have Greg Lech’s disassembled HO-scale brass CNR U-3-a Northern fresh from the paint shop.

Come on down to the Eva Rothwell Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, on April 18th to see this and many other models like it. Can't wait to see what you've been modelling!

If you haven't made it down to the last 3 RPMs or you have and would like to come down for another, then mark your calendars for April 18th!

The 4th annual Steel Town RPM hosted by the great modellers of the HO Model Engineer Society (HOMES). We’ll have moving trains, static trains, and even some trains not yet finished! 5 new educational clinics will be held once again and the all-important raffle prizes will be there for you to win!

So come down to the HOMES club 460 Wentworth St. N. Hamilton, April 18th, 8:30-4:30, $10 admission