Train lovers of all ages came out Saturday for Railway Days, the Winnipeg Railway Museum’s annual open house.
The museum, in partnership with the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club, displayed a range of trains including a working diesel locomotive, VIA Rail’s train to Churchill, and an operating HO scale model layout of the Gateway Western Railway.
“Winnipeg was put on the map by the existence of the railways, and it was the building of the CPR that really cemented that,” said Gord Leathers with the Winnipeg Railway Museum.
"As a technology, the railway certainly allows us to live the way that we do, and we take it completely for granted.”
Visitors also got a peek at a vintage Winnipeg Transit streetcar. It’s owned by Heritage Winnipeg, and the organization is attempting to restore it by 2019 for the 100th anniversary of the Winnipeg General Strike.
ABOVE: A Winnipeg Transit streetcar owned by Heritage Winnipeg is displayed in all its vintage glory at Railway Days.
Former streetcar operator Brian Darragh was excited to see the vintage vehicle.
“I remember riding the streetcar as a boy,” he said. “We lived off Portage Avenue in St. James. I rode down with my mom to Eaton’s in it.”
Railway Days runs at the museum until Sunday. Admission during the event is by donation only.
