Wainwright Rail Park

A lot of projects were undertaken at Wainwright Rail Park this past summer.

Several displays were changed or updated in our display building, to better display our growing collection of railroad artifacts. This included re-arranging our lantern and switch lamp collection, and adding a interesting collection of BCRail items donated by Adrian Telizyn of Fort St John, BC. A number of items donated by Frank Craig are also now on display for our visitors to enjoy.

Our STEP summer student, Kendra Doetzel, accessioned several thousand magazines, books and railway paper items into our library files. In addition many lanterns, photos and other smaller items were catalogued, with several large photos being framed to archival standards. Kendra also kept the grass and flower beds under control, and assisted with setting up new displays in the now nearly completed bunkhouse. Several tools were painted in appropriate colors, and mounted to the tool room walls in the back of the bunkhouse. She also undertook repainting of the speeder shed which now matches the period paint applied to the bunkhouse. She also assisted with guided tours of Wainwright Rail Park.

Kendra has now returned to the U of A for her 4^th year of university. We thank her for her assistance this summer and a “job well done”. Good luck with your studies.

March 13, 2011 Presidents Report

The wet spring and summer last year limited any outdoor work planned for the season.

Visitor numbers were also down substantially from previous years, but, thankfully, more high-end souvenirs were sold. At year’s end we maintained our normal bank balance.

We again hired a summer student. Corey Molloy painted the inside of the bunkhouse, accessioned items, helped with tours, and kept the buildings and cars clean. An application has been made for a summer student again this year under the Alberta S.T.E.P. Program.

Significant donations of railway artifacts were donated last year, including a large collection of marker lamps, switch lamps and other lanterns, and a second steam locomotive headlight, complete with the original 32volt bulb. We also received several other hard to locate items, such as the caboose castings from caboose stove oven doors (2), and several framed photos and lithographs framed and given out as retirement gifts.

A few 1050’s style coach lights appropriate for use in “Matapedia” were purchased from a private collector in Ontario, along with a few coach fittings. A source for other parts has been found when we can afford to restore the car interior further.

A brass bell for 1404, and several boxes of forms, timetables and other paper items and artifacts was donated by Adrian Telizyn of Fort St John, BC. He has several larger items for us which will arrive this year.

A highlight of the year was the assisting of CN Track Supervisor Harvey Chrystian to do an historical track inspection using a speeder we supplied. CN sent their mechanic to go over the speeder and had it in tip-top shape before the 150 mile trip in September. We had the opportunity to meet several CN Engineering managers, and photograph this historical enactment. CN’s mechanic, has expressed interest in getting our open air speeder working, as a personal donation. A source for the few parts he needs has been found. We will talk with him again in the spring.

We are expecting more school tours this year, in conjunction with the Buffalo Interpretive Centre, who have been marketing the tour packages for the local institutions.

By October 2012, we must have completed our recertification as a “Recognized Museum”, by the Alberta Museum Association. It requires significant paperwork, and form submission to them in advance.

I look forward to a successful year at Wainwright Rail Park.

Respectfully submitted
Don McGuire

Some 2011 projects include:

• Sandblasting and repainting of 6861 (B unit), hopefully the same with Matapedia.
• Moving of 1404 to her final resting place on track # 2.
• Roof work, etc on the UGG building.
• Restoration of the pump car (wood has been purchased, and some work done).
• Completion of some track work south of the speeder shed.
• We will need some volunteers to step up to the plate to accomplish these tasks.

Commemorating Retirement of Wainwright West Subdivision Track Supervisor

Wainwright Rail Park was contacted in August by Harvey Chrystian, Track Supervisor for CN’s Wainwright West Subdivision. Harvey was looking to borrow or rent a speeder and knew we had one operational at Wainwright Rail Park. Harvey was going to retire in October, and wanted to go out in “style,” by doing a track inspection of the entire subdivision, by motorcar. We agreed to provide a speeder owned by member Dennis Lever, of Viking, as was the most roadworthy in our collection, an important point as it would be operating on CN’s mainline from Edmonton, AB to Biggar, SK.

CN Wainwright Sub Mechanic, Tom Kendrick was sent to inspect and service the speeder, and was pleasantly surprised to find it in such good condition. It was given a fresh battery, choke cable, a full grease job, and oil change. The lighting was checked out and one additional light added for reverse movements. A little gas in the tank and it ran like new. Tom also replaced a small piece of glass from spare parts we had available, and did a few other minor repairs.

The motorcar was picked up at Wainwright Rail Park on Friday September 17, by Erik Hauck with the CN frog truck, and delivered to Edmonton.

The motorcar inspection trip began in Edmonton on Tuesday September 21, with Harvey Chrystian at the controls. Also participating in the trip were, Joe Wagner, Track Supervisor, Wainwright East Sub.(who is possibly retiring next year), Earle Robertson, Senior Manager Engineering, Alberta South, Larry McKay, Track Supervisor, Edmonton, AB, and Scott Kennedy, Relief Assistant Track Supervisor, Edmonton Area (a New Employee).

Day 1 ended at Kinsella (Mile 171, Wainwright Sub).

Day 2 would take them to Wainwright, and on to Chauvin, AB.

Numerous photo stops were made along the route, with the most stunning photo opportunity occurring while the motorcar crossed the 195 foot high Battle River Trestle, west of Wainwright. Photos were also taken as the speeder passed through Fabyan, and posed in front of the Wainwright Station. After a short break they were off to inspect the Wainwright East Sub.

Happy Retirement Harvey! Wainwright Rail Park was pleased to provide your motorcar for this historical track inspection.

Thank you to Summer Employee, Kori Molloy

Summer was quite uneventful this year, owing to copious amounts of rain which made much of the park grounds impassable. Kori focused much of her effort on the restoration of the Bunk House, and a mighty fine job she did. We hope that this has been as rewarding an experience for Kori as it has been for our past STEP summer employees. Have a great school year, Kori!!

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