7th Division Awards
Below is the information about the various awards that are presented, and a list of past recipients follows.
The Jack Work Memorial Trophy
Jim Little Coordinator,
Jack Work is considered by many to have been a pioneer in the hobby of model railroading. During the 1950's and 60's he shared much of his substantial knowledge and accomplishments with the modelling public through many articles in noted periodicals.
After his death in June 1996, his stainless steel railway whistle was kindly donated to the NMRA PNR 7th Division and now is the basis of the Jack Work Memorial Trophy.
The Trophy is presented as candidates are identified to the 7th division member who best exhibits the qualities that Jack Work displayed, namely: imagination, creativity, innovation, artistry, forward thinking, quality workmanship and the sharing of the results of these qualities with the rest of the hobby.
The award may only be received once in a lifetime. The candidates are nominated by their peers.
The Award is based on modelling accomplishments and the sharing of those accomplishments and their appropriate model-building techniques and methods.
This award was not awarded in 2024
Tim Horton
Congratulations Tim!
Scott Calvert
Rene Gourley
The Ross Heriot Gold Spike Award
John Green Coordinator
The award was first presented in 1968, and is usually presented annually to one or more individuals in the PNR 7th Division who have made a significant contribution to the Division and its membership. Ross Heriot’s qualities of tenacity, determination, forthrightness and honesty were notable. It is in appreciation of their unselfish devotion of time and effort to further the aims of the NMRA, the PNR, and the hobby of railway modelling through assistance and service for the benefit of all railway modellers within the Division.
The award is a once-in-a-lifetime presentation and candidates are nominated by their peers. The award is a simulated gold spike on a plaque. The spike is a real E&N (Rail America) railroad spike.
John Stevenson
In a recent issue of the Bulletin Board publication, I shared a copy of a remembrance about Ross written by his friend the late Spike Brown.
My collection of nominees has now run out, I am sure that there are many individuals who have assisted their fellow members over many years but are not known to me… So I would encourage you think of those who have served faithfully, and send me a letter or e-mail recognizing their achievements, contributions, and involvement in activities that support the objectives and members of the 7th Division. There is a list of the previous recipients of this award on the 7th Division Web Page.
I would thank those who supplied nominations who is a new nominee for consideration for this year’s award. I have gratefully received letters supporting this year’s nominee. This year’s recipient has been an active member of the division for. Among his many contributions to the 7th Division, some particular highlights come to mind:
He was the editor of the Bulletin Board during his almost five years of service, he did an outstanding job of keeping our membership informed. He modernized the publication and produced a professional looking publication that remains a credit to our organization invariably went the extra miles to photograph and report first hand on events and he continually presented ideas to enhance our enjoyment of model railroading. His creativity, energy, and enthusiasm resulted in a consistently interesting and informative periodical. He was active at all the Vancouver Train Expo events, with his camera, taking pictures to publish in the Bulletin. Serving as the Editor of the Bulletin Board for five years is surely a contribution of great benefit to the Division and is worthy of recognition. The 7th Division is grateful for John' Stevenson’s editorship and the time and effort he has extended on our behalf
I do hope you will all join me in thanking and acknowledging our past Bulletin Board editor - John Stevenson as the 2024 recipient of the Ross Heriot Memorial Gold Spike award. !! Unfortunately, John could not be present today so I will arrange to get this plaque to him ASAP.
John Martin
This year’s recipient stepped up to serve as the 7th Division Superintendent in 2016 on the retirement of Russ Watson. From then until his retirement from the Superintendent’s position in November 2021 and his subsequent assumption of, and retirement from, the Assistant Superintendent’s position in late 2022 he accomplished much. Acting as a gentle elder statesman and motivator he has served the 7th Division actively and very well.
He was instrumental in transitioning the 7th Division’s annual meet from its traditional format as a combined public train show and modellers’ meet to the current format as the Railway Modellers Meet of British Columbia, an event dedicated to modelling, and the Vancouver Train Expo, a public train show. Both events have benefited from this reorganization and are better than they previously were. The transition required the creation of a separate legal entity, Lower Mainland Train Expo Society, and the sorting out of the financial relationship between the 7th Division and the new Society, to which John played a key role. John served actively on the Vancouver Train Expo Organizing Committee and the RMMBC committee as the liaison between the two organizations and the division. He continues to play an important role providing guidance to the Organizing Committee.
In his letter of nomination Tom Lundgren wrote: “As the Leader of Vancouver Train Expo I wish to express my great appreciation for John’s interest and active assistance in support of the public train show.”
John’s contributions are clearly consistent with the criteria for the Gold Spike Award.
I do hope you will all join me in thanking and acknowledging our past superintendent John Martin as the 2023 recipient of the Ross Heriot Memorial Gold Spike award.
Lori Sebelley
She has been an active member of the division for several years. Among her many contributions to the 7h division some particular contributions come to mind:
She has served both on the Trains and “Railway Modellers Meet of British Columbia” Organizing committees for several years.
This person is an active member of the Coldslap Free-mo Club, participating in public displays for their layout and being an ambassador for our hobby.
Graham Stokes
The Railway Heritage Award
Ken Rutherford Coordinator
This award was established in 2018 and will be presented annually, when appropriate, to a current member of the 7th Division who has contributed in a meaningful way to the preservation of railway history.
To be considered for the award, the nominee shall have performed service in one or more of the following ways:
+ Have been a member of an historical association or society that works on the preservation and presentation of railway history and artifacts; or
+ Have contributed to the preservation of railway history through published writings, or by having volunteered to work on restoration projects, or sat on boards of historical societies or museums that contributed to the preservation of railway history; or
+ Have exhibited a substantial interest in the history of railways in British Columbia and its preservation; or
+ Contributed many hours volunteering with an operating historical railway as a member of the operating crew or as a docent traveling with the train telling the general public about the history of railroading; or
+ Have participated substantially in some other significant and worthy efforts to preserve railway heritage.
Nominations should include documentation, explaining the nominee’s accomplishments. A candidate will be recommended by the award coordinator and approved by the Board of Directors.
The award will only be presented in years when a suitable recipient is recognized.
Al Lill
He was the editor of the "Across the Canadian Shield" book published by the CNRHA and has had numerous articles published on CN subjects in many publications. He has presented clinics and helped organize both regional and national conventions.
This modeler has a particular interest in the steam era on CN, with a particular interest in CN's Vancouver Island and BC mountain mainline operations. He has a wealth of prototype and modeling knowledge and freely shares it with people both in person and in his writing.
Doug Mayer
It was my pleasure to present Doug Mayer with this year’s award.
Robert Turner
On September 25 at the Victoria Model Railroad show, Ken Rutherford had the pleasure of presenting the 2022 Heritage Award to Robert Turner of Protection Island.
The award is presented to a member (or members) in the Division who has/have contributed significantly to the preservation of railroad history within the Province of British Columbia.
Rick Lord and
Kenneth Rutherford
The first Heritage award went to Ken Rutherford and Rick Lord, a joint award.