Annual Model Train Exhibition — Société de modélisme ferroviaire de Québec

The Société de modélisme ferroviaire de Québec (SMFQ) began in 1965 as the "Club HO de Québec", a dozen model train enthusiasts meeting in the basement of a credit union in Charny, on the south shore. It received its letters patent under its present name in 1971, and since 1986 it has been based in Sainte-Foy, in a disused Canadian National building that once housed the maintenance staff for passenger cars.

Every year, over the Thanksgiving weekend, the club opens its premises to the public for an exhibition. The club's programme lists layouts in five scales: an HO layout (1:87) that the club describes as the largest in eastern Canada, a Lionel O-scale layout that it says can be seen only once a year, an N-scale layout (1:160), a G-scale garden railway hung from the ceiling, and an outdoor layout in 1½-inch scale where visitors can board the trains for a ride of about 2,400 feet.

The club also points out that real VIA Rail and CN trains pass on tracks less than 50 feet from its building, with more than a dozen trains a day.

A visit of the club's model railways in several scales, with members on hand to talk about their layouts, a ride on the outdoor 1½-inch-scale trains (the club says the ride depends on the weather), a canteen and free parking. Real VIA Rail and CN trains run past the building.

The club is at 3350 chemin de la Gare, Sainte-Foy, Quebec City (G1W 0B7), west of the Sainte-Foy VIA Rail station. Parking is free for all visitors. The canteen sells drinks, chips and hot dogs. The club accepts debit and credit cards. Phone 418 657-7932, e-mail info@smfq.ca.