Abandoned Grain Elevator at Thrasher, Saskatchewan

I was driving down Highway 7, between Rosetown and Swift Current, Sask., when I saw the old elevator in a farmer's field just off the highway.

How, I wondered, did it come to be there, all alone?

As it turns out, the elevator was once on a railway line—the old CPR McMorran sub.

Back when it was in operation, it was one of at least two elevators in the hamlet of Thrasher, as the old photo below shows.

But today one of the elevators is gone, and the other one is abandoned, like the rail line, and like Thrasher, itself.

Many years ago, the old elevator would have been alive to the sounds of trains and the voices of farmers exchanging news, talking about the weather and complaining about the railways and the Wheat Board.

But all I heard on this day was the sound of doves cooing inside the old structure.

That and the sound of the wind, blowing the past away. 

Update, 2017: The Thrasher elevator has been destroyed in a fire. Click here for info and photos.

Canada Day Post: Our Home and Miniature Land

It's Canada Day, July 1, Canada's 148th birthday. What better day to post something about a new railway exhibit about Canada?

Germany has Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, featuring a miniature version of railways in Europe.

In the U.S., there is Northlandz in New Jersey and The Great Train Story in Chicago—layouts that tell the story of railroads in that country.

Now Canada is getting its own miniature model railroad version of itself: Our Home and Miniature Land.

The museum, located in a 4,000 square foot warehouse in Mississauga, Ont., is the brainchild of Jean-Louis Brenninkmeijer.

Together with partner David MacLean, Jean-Louis wants to create a cross-Canada train trip that will explore and teach visitors about the history of the country.

Construction began in 2014. The goal is to open to the public in 2017, the 150^th anniversary of the birth of Canada.

Right now, they are working on the Ontario section, focusing on the city of Toronto and the Niagara region.

When done, Jean-Louis and David envision a place where people watch the trains travel through city and country scenery, using a phone app to learn about Canada and its history.

To date, the project has cost about $2 million. Jean-Louis estimates it could cost as much as $10 million when done.

“The intent is to make [it] a prime tourist attraction, but not only that. It will also serve as an educational learning centre for students and other interested groups,” says a press release.

Jean-Louis and David are looking for more volunteers to help him with the project, along with investors. If you live in the area and want to help, or want to invest, contact him. 

See videos of Our Home and Miniature Land from CTV  and from CITY TV.  Also read more about it in the Toronto Star.

First and Last Operating Steam Locomotives in Manitoba

6043 in Assiniboine Park

The first and last steam locomotives to operate in regular scheduled service in Manitoba can be found today in Winnipeg—separated by about 12 kilometres and 84 years. 

The first one is the Countess of Dufferin, which was barged to Winnipeg down the Red River from the U.S. in 1877.

The wood-burning steamer was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia in 1872 for the Northern Pacific Railway.

After service in Manitoba, it worked in a B.C. in a lumberyard. In 1909 it was returned to Winnipeg and put on display in front of the old CPR station in the city’s downtown. 

In 1993 it was moved to its current home at the Winnipeg Railway Museum.

The last one is CNR U-1-d Mountain-type 4-8-2 #6043, which is on display in the city’s Assiniboine Park.

Built in in 1929 at Kingston, Ont. by the Canadian Locomotive Works, it made the last scheduled steam-led run in Canada on April 25, 1960 from The Pas to Winnipeg.

6043 under steam in the 1950s. 

It ran once more, on June 22, 1961, pulling an excursion between Brandon and Winnipeg.

Now it is on display, a testament to a different time. Too bad it isn't also inside the museum, beside the Countess.

Maybe one day . . . .

 

Click here to see a home video of the last excursion run. Photo of 6043 under steam from Bikelover2's Flickr page. 

There is still one operating steam locomotive in Manitoba (in excursion service): The Prairie Dog Central.

Summer Trip on VIA #2 from Saskatoon to Winnipeg

I had to be in the Saskatoon area for business this month. I needed to fly there to make my meeting on time, but I had time to come back the best way possible: By train.

VIA #2 was late coming to Saskatoon, so I caught a bit of traffic and some switching while I waited.

When you travel by train, you're reminded that we live in a big country. You can see for miles on the prairies.

You also get to see things you can't see from the highway, like this abandoned grain elevator.



I was in the third car from the front, in coach. There were 21 cars in the train that day.

Darting between the signals.

Sunset from the dome car.

Late arrival in Winnipeg.

So that's four train trips this year so far for me. I hope I can do at least one more.

Golf, Trains and the U.S. Open

Golfers and railfans alike are talking about one of the unusual features of the Chambers Bay golf course in Washington—host to this year’s U.S. open—the trains that run besides the 16th and 17th holes.

The BNSF line between Seattle and Portland hosts about 60 trains a day, including Amtrak. Half of those run between 8 AM and 8 PM, when play is occurring.

Prior to the tournament the U.S. Golf Association discussed whether it should ask BNSF to alter its schedules during play to lessen the distraction. The decision was no.

BNSF did ask its engineers to not blow their horns during the open—something they often do at other times when people are on the course.

Seeing the trains roll by made me wonder if there are other golf courses around the world with train tracks nearby. Apparently, there are a few, as the photos below show.

Adelaide, Australia 

La Crosse, Wisconsin 

Royal Colombo, Sri Lanka