2009 Year in Review

A lot of work was accomplished this summer at Wainwright Rail Park, thanks, in part, to our summer student Kendra Doetzel, hired under the Alberta STEP Program. Kendra was a quick learner, and had our equipment history down pat in no time. She led our visitors through our collection like she had been railroading for years. Among other tasks, she kept the grass mowed and trimmed, kept all our display areas neat and clean, handled the gift shop, and received and accessioned items. Over 2000 items were properly accessioned and cataloged this summer.

Kendra also took on the task of painting our CNR 8 man bunkhouse. When university friend visited Wainwright on a weekend Kendra was working, came to the park with her, and painted a full day on the bunkhouse. Sandra Gawad Gad attends the U of A and is from Alexandria, Egypt. Don McGuire assisted with the removal of old trim, and the installation of freshly painted new material. Kendra was presented with a plaque in appreciation of her work. The girls names have been added to our list of names on the plaque in our display building.

New doors were obtained for the bunkhouse, one supplied as a donation by the Eastalta Co-op Hardware in Wainwright. They were installed by Hardware Manager, and WRPS member, Les Konjolka.

Our best speeder has been given an overhaul, and is now putting down the track perfectly. It requires a new choke cable, but that will be addressed immediately.

Temporary displays were set up for the later part of the season in the UGG shed at the east end of Wainwright Rail Park. They included improvements to the CN Dispatchers console, a and operating Lionel layout courtesy of Troy Anderson, and HO model railroad modules assembled by the Wainwright Model Railroad Club.

Butch Panter has done some leveling of the fill at the east end of our park, and more fill has now arrived. Butch will be back this fall to finish the leveling, and contour the ditch and drainage properly.

Thanks to everyone who visited Wainwright Rail Park this summer. See you again next year!

Wainwright Rail Park members burned the midnight oil on Saturday, June 20th, as we served up pizza and coffee for the Stampede Cabaret at the Peace Memorial Multiplex.

Volunteers, Troy Anderson, Bev Valleau, Kim Pierce, Roy Pierce, Adam Kuzych, and Don McGuire served up the food, while Phil Valleau, Roy Pierce, and Cliff Beazley assisted with set up, running for supplies, and tear down after the event.

Pizza sales were good,and we were pleased to only have 6 pizzas left at the end of the night. The Stampede Cabaret organizing committee has indicated they would like us to assist again in 2010.

Thanks to all who helped with this fundraiser.

Photo: Lauren Crandall
(l-r) Troy Anderson, Kim Pierce, Adam Kuzuch, and Don McGuire working the pizza booth.

Wainwright Credit Union donates $1000 toward purchase

Kyle Scott, representing the Wainwright Credit Union, presents a cheque for $1,000.00 toward the purchase of a John Deere 870 tractor to WRPS President, Don McGuire. Looking on are Vice President Phil Valleau, and Director, Cliff Beazley (on tractor). photo credit Roy Pierce

CLC Trucking donates $1000

Cliff Beazley, of CLC Trucking is thanked by Don McGuire for a donation of $1,000.00 toward the tractor purchase. The John Deere 870 tractor was recently purchased from Battle River Implements, in Wainwright for use at Wainwright Rail Park. The tractor has a 6 foot mower, and a bucket, which will be put to good use during park maintenance. Thanks also to Max Rogers, who donated the cost of parts needed for the tractor.

Saturday and Sunday May 9 & 10

Troy Anderson, Adam Kuzych, and Don McGuire completed spiking of track #2 at Wainwright Rail Park. Gravel ballast has been moved onto the track, and when tamping of the track is completed CN1404 will be moved to it’s final location, east of the speeder shed. This will give us our first complete trainset display consisting of GMD1 1404, flat car, 2 boxcars and wood caboose.

Don McGuire & Adam Kuzych spiking track #2. photo credit Troy Anderson

It is anticipated that this project will be completed by the end of June 2009.

Thanks to everyone...

... who assisted with the Wainwright Rail Park Booth at the Wainwright and District Trade Show. Many people visited our booth, and bought gift shop items. A feature this year was a Lionel layout, displayed by member Troy Anderson. Troy brought his sound equipped CN 6400, and 6060 steam locomotives, an assortment of modern diesel locomotives, a string of grain hoppers, and a CNR passenger car. All were proudly displayed on a small Lionel layout to the delight of young and old alike.

See you at Rail Park!

Pictured at right, Cliff Beazley & Don McGuire man the booth. photo credit Kim Pierce

The president’s message to open 2009, and a recap of 2008 are included in the attached page, entitled, “A Hundred Years of the Steel’.