new design train model

    The engines have been stored on the Shenandoah Valley Railroad in Staunton, Virginia for over 15 years. The Prairie Dog Central has not purchased these locomotives. They were purchased by an Albertan, but will be stored at the PDC's shops off Inkster Boulevard. The 1238 was built in Montreal in 1946. The 1286 was built in Kingston Locomotive Works in 1948. Future operating plans for these two engines are under review by the Vintage Locomotive Society.

Please note that the Prairie Dog Central's popular Father's Day excursion train has been sold out.

The Prairie Dog Central railway has many special events and excursions from May to October every year, and many of them sell out in advance. You can purchase tickets at the station before any scheduled ride, but it's always best to go to their website to buy advance tickets and to see if the train you wish to ride on is sold out.

For more information about the Prairie Dog Central, go to their website at: http://pdcrailway.com/

   What better way to celebrate Father's Day than a trip with dad on the Prairie Dog Central? Steam locomotive No. 3 will be operating on that day! Listen for it's unmistakable whistle, along with the conductor�s "all aboard", which indicates it�s time to be on our way.

    Enjoy the company of family and friends as you ride across the prairie. Tap your feet to the live on board Blue Grass music and immerse yourself in the presentation by our 1911 passenger agent. During the stopover at Grosse Isle, savor the goodies freshly prepared by the vendors, or just kick back and enjoy more Blue Grass tunes.

    Tickets are $28.00 for adults (14 years old and up), tickets for children (ages 2-13) are $21.95. Children two years old and under ride for free when seated on the knee. If you require a seat for a child two and under, please purchase a children's ticket.

    The train departs at 11:00 AM  at the Prairie Dog Central's Inkster Station, and returns at 2:45 PM.You can buy tickets two hours prior to departure at the station, but they might be sold out by then, so it's preferable to buy the tickets online on their website. Go to http://pdcrailway.com for more information.

    What better way could there be to spend a summer weekend than riding on the Prairie Dog Central? You can buy a ticket at the station from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the station, but it is advisable to order tickets online and in advance, as some of their special events sell out pretty fast!

    Please note that because of the CentrePoint highway project, it's a little trickier to get to the station than it was before. The big pile of gravel that blocked the road last year is gone, but now you have to veer off the main road to get there! For directions click on this link.

    The next best thing to riding on the train is railfanning it, but you should always do so at a proper distance. Please don't do so at the station if you're not going to buy a ticket, as parking is limited.

   But there are plenty of other places to get a good shot of the train. The track run parallel to Prairie Dog Central Road right to the Perimeter Highway. The tracks cross Sturgeon Road, Mollard Road and Paterson Road within the Perimeter. There is also a service road running parallel to the Perimeter Highway. Please don't stop on the Perimeter itself to take a picture - it's one of the busiest roads in the province!

    You can follow the train along Highway 6, but it is not advisable taking shots along the road, as that stretch of Highway 6 has been designated as one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the province. A safer and much more scenic place to stop would be to get off the highway and go  to Grosse Isle, where the train often stops, or to Warren, which is the terminus of the PDC. The tracks also cross Highway 67, Highway 321 and Highway 322.

    Always remember to stay off the tracks at all times, and keep a safe distance from the train. Happy railfanning, and keep safe!

Heads up, fellow model railroaders and rail fans! The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club is holding their monthly meeting tonight at 7:30 PM at Westworth United Church, 1750 Grosvenor Avenue in Winnipeg. After our business meeting, we'll have a presentation on the Prairie Dog Central's recent visit to The Forks and the Via Rail station. Of course, there will be the usual fellowship and camaraderie among members old and new, and guests! Guests are always welcome at our meetings, so come on down and see what you've been missing!

There's nothing much on TV tonight anyway. On PBS, you've got Shakespeare's Henry V (spoiler alert - he wins the battle of Agincourt). Sharknado is also on, but there are no trains to be seen in the movie! There's no trains in Henry V either, but that's because it takes place in the early 15th century. So why not come on down and join in on the fun! After the meeting, we'll head out for some pizza at Santa Lucia !