Today is the last day of June and we had our June train station meeting last week. Everyone is gearing up for the huge celebration that is coming. Every year our committee pays for and plants flowers at the Rivers Stationette to greet the travelers coming to take an adventure or return from one. We all take turns during the summer for a week at a time to water them and make them look their best. This years must be especially well looked after as we want to look beautiful for the over 1000 people coming back to the community. The retired Rivers Masonic Lodge members donated money to our committee and this month, beautiful charcoal colored brick flower gardens adorn either side of the train rail arbour in the Millennium Park. We will post photos of this once the flowers are in full bloom. A granite plaque is being produced to honor this donation, as many of the members of the Rivers Lodge were railroaders.
Members of our committee are working on a float for the huge parade on July 6th and then of course we have some fundraising events to promote. A local artist by the name of Ina Hyndman has donated a beautiful watercolor, of a passenger train travelling across the trestle. As well we have made an agreement with Manitoba's famous Morden Chocolates of Winnipeg to produce solid milk chocolate steam engines for sale during this special year. After our committee tasted one, it was a hit and a great choice to fundraise and do something else that is unique. So we will be at the Rivers fair on July 3rd with these delights and from there at our new community complex on sale for everyone that has a sweet tooth!
Around the middle of June we had Canadian Poet and writer, Tim Bowling visit with us as he is working on a project to celebrate the life of Buster Keaton, the silent film star. Buster was in a National Film Board production called The RailRodder and spent time in Rivers during its' filming. It is another amazing story for another time.
This week promises to be a week of new beginnings for us, as we have an architectural firm coming from Winnipeg to see if we can work together and get started on the renovation of the station. We are very excited about this and look forward to seeing the station come to life. For now we will be happy to enjoy the festivities and friendships of the 100th anniversary this week. Happy Birthday to Canada on Canada Day and Happy 100th Birthday to Rivers. All aboard for the fun!
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Click here for schedule/ticket info.
About The Project
MISSION
The Rivers Train Station Restoration Committee members are dedicated to the Restoration, Renovation & Rejuvenation of the Rivers Train Station to a viable property for heritage preservation and economic development. To ensure the Community & Area have an opportunity to Connect with the Past while creating a Vision for the Future.
HERITAGE
The station is a federally designated heritage site.
CANADA'S FIRST 'GREEN' HERITAGE STATION
The method of restoration will be carried out following the most environmentally efficient criteria making this Canada's first 'green' heritage train station!
FUNDING
Funding for restoration is being made possible through grants, corporate and individual support, as well as fundraising.
ONLY VIA RAIL BOARDING STATION IN WESTERN MANITOBA
VIA Rail Canada has sited Rivers as the only boarding station west of Portage la Prairie into eastern Saskatchewan, and between the north and south Manitoba borders.
About Us
- Rivers Train Station Restoration Project Committee
- Rivers, Manitoba, Canada
- Passionate community members and VIA Rail are working to restore Rivers train station to a viable property for heritage preservation and economic development in the most environmentally way possible. ALL ABOARD!
Blog Archive
VIA RAIL CANADA
Click here for schedule/ticket info.
RIVERS TRAIN STATION HISTORY TIMELINE
- In 1907 Grand Trunk Pacific Railway depot, Rivers' first structure created a new skyline on the Manitoba prairies.
- Simultaneously in 1907, the Grand Trunk Pacific trestle bridge at Rivers was constructed making it one of the longest of its kind in western Canada during those times.
- Black Sunday, March 4, 1917 - Rivers' most disastrous fire in which the Grand Trunk Pacific depot fell prey to flames.
- September 21, 1917 - a newly constructed railway depot was presented to the public with a station restaurant (The Beanery) and a waiting-room dance.
- Early 1990's - Rivers Train Station eventually closes it's doors completely after a gradual decline in services. From a full service depot, to a whistle stop and back to a major boarding depot, VIA travelers continue to board or arrive at Rivers depot.
- Late 1990's - Rivers Train Station is designated as a federal heritage site.
- Fall 2006 - A committee is formed to save and restore the Rivers train station. Initiated by the Rivers/Daly Community Development Corporation, the Rivers Train Station Restoration Project committee's mission is to restore Rivers Train Station to a viable property for heritage preservation and economic development.
- September 2008 - For the first time in memory, all trains east and westbound on the CN line through Rivers lay quiet for 24 hours as crews made significant upgrades to the trestle bridge at Rivers.
- September 9, 2008 - The Rivers train 'stationette' officially opens after the closing of Brandon North station making Rivers the only boarding station in western Manitoba for VIA passengers traveling to points east and west. Close to 2,000 passengers board or arrive on VIA at the Rivers depot annually. VIA and the RTSRP committee anticipate those numbers to increase.
- Present - the Rivers Train Station Restoration Project committee continues to work towards restoring the current train station building to be Canada's first 'green' heritage train station. The method of restoration will be carried out following the most environmentally efficient criteria. Funding for restoration is being made possible through grants, corporate and individual support, as well as fundraising. ALL BOARD!
No comments:
Post a Comment