Assiniboine Valley Railway: Difference between revisions
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|logo_filename = Assiniboine Valley Railway logo.png |
|logo_filename = Assiniboine Valley Railway logo.png |
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|logo_size = 150 |
|logo_size = 150 |
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|gauge={{RailGauge|7. |
|gauge={{RailGauge|7.5in}} |
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|start_year= |
|start_year=1995 |
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|length= {{convert| |
|length= {{convert|6000|ft|m}}<ref name="MP"/> |
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|hq_city=[[Winnipeg]] |
|hq_city=[[Winnipeg]] |
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|locale=[[Manitoba]], |
|locale=[[Manitoba]], Canada |
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|website={{URL|www.assiniboinevalleyrailway.org}}|end_year=2021}} |
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}} |
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'''Assiniboine Valley Railway''' (AVR) |
'''Assiniboine Valley Railway''' (AVR) was a private 1:8th (1.6" to the foot) scale [[ridable miniature railway]] located in the community of [[Charleswood, Manitoba|Charleswood]] near [[Assiniboine Park]] in [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]], Canada. |
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The track gauge |
The railway used track gauge {{RailGauge|7.5in}}. Construction started in 1995 and operation began in the fall of 1996.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcor-nmra.org/Clubs_State.cfm?State=Manitoba |title=Model Railroad Clubs of the World |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413140945/http://www.mcor-nmra.org/Clubs_State.cfm?State=Manitoba |archive-date=April 13, 2014|publisher=National Model Railroad Association}}</ref> A train station was eventually built along the track, and opened on time for a convention in May, 2000. |
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The railway's assets are owned by the 23-member Assiniboine Valley Railway Club, Inc., with some of the equipment privately owned by members. The railway club president and owner of the land was Bill Taylor until his death in 2013.<ref>[http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Assiniboine-Valley-Railways-president-dies-221486441.html Assiniboine Valley Railway's president dies]</ref> Presidency then transferred to vice president and co-founder Len La Rue. The network of tracks and "Charleswood Station" was located on Taylor's private {{convert|7|acre|ha|adj=on}} property.<ref name="MP">{{cite news |url=https://www.manitobapost.com/winnipeg-news/railway-forced-to-move-120948 |title=Railway Forced To Move |date=May 2, 2021 |publisher=Manitoba Post |access-date=November 15, 2021}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | AVR |
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AVR was open to the public for riding during the second weekend of the month between June and October. |
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As of |
{{As of|April 2012}} the railway had nine operating locomotives, including three steam locomotives<ref>[http://winnipegisbetterthanchocolate.blogspot.ca/2009_11_01_archive.html Tour of Winnipeg Model Trains]</ref> and 53 cars, with eight more cars under construction.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.trainnet.org/irl/rwlinksA.htm |title=International Railway Links |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630063851/http://www.trainnet.org/IRL/rwlinksA.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the span of 26 years, the club laid more than {{convert|6000|ft|m}} of track.<ref name="MP"/> |
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During the [[COVID-19]] [[pandemic]], the club had to close to the public as a result of provincial [[environmental health policy|public health orders]]. |
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In April 2021, the family of AVR's late founder requested that the railway club vacate the property within six months.<ref name="MP"/> This was completed in 2022. |
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The AVR has asked for financial support from the public, in order to relocate the railway.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Assiniboine Valley Railway |url=https://assiniboinevalleyrailway.org/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Assiniboine Valley Railway |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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== History == |
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The AVR was founded in 1995 by Bill Taylor, and was located entirely on Taylor's property, in Winnipeg's Charleswood area.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2014-02-16 |title=About Us |url=https://assiniboinevalleyrailway.org/about/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Assiniboine Valley Railway |language=en-US}}</ref> The railway had it's official grand opening on September 13 1997, in a ceremony attended by Manitoba lieutenant governor [[Yvon Dumont]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Posted |first=Tony Zerucha / Special to Canstar |date=2021-05-06 |title=May 2021: Last whistle for Assiniboine Valley Railway? |url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/metro/2021/05/06/last-whistle-for-assiniboine-valley-railway |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Our Communities |language=en-US}}</ref> The railroad's slogan "Route of the Hazel Nuts" was chosen to reflect the hazel nut bushes which grew around the track.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ASSINIBOINE VALLEY RAILWAY INC |url=https://assiniboinevalleyrailway.org/avr/assiniboine_valley_history_inc1.htm |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=assiniboinevalleyrailway.org}}</ref> |
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Until 2019, the AVR offered a "Dinner train Weekend"<ref name=":1" /> taking place on the 3rd weekend of September, where riders were able to enjoy a meal while riding the model trains. The meal typically included refreshments, salad, hotdogs and hamburgers. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-02-16 |title=EVENTS |url=https://assiniboinevalleyrailway.org/2014-events/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Assiniboine Valley Railway |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The AVR was best known for its most popular Christmas events in December. In 2011-2012, approximately 17,000 passengers rode the AVR during the Holiday period.<ref name=":2" /> In the early years of the railway, [[Christmas lights|Christmas light]] runs were operated every night from 6:30 pm till 9:00 pm. from the second weekend of December to the first weekend of January. Christmas lights were used along the line, their numbers growing from 98,000 in 2009 <ref>{{cite web |title=Christmas at the Taylors |url=http://kidfriendlymanitoba.com/christmas-at-the-taylors/ |website=KidFriendlyManitoba.com |archive-date=December 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231184937/http://kidfriendlymanitoba.com/christmas-at-the-taylors/ }}</ref> to more than 100,000,<ref>[https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press/2004-12-20/page-24 Ride the Christmas Express]</ref> reaching 101,213 by December 9, 2012.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120221164640/http://www.swedenfreezer.com/avr/chrismas_at_the_taylor.htm Light Count from the original AVR Website]</ref> |
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On August 26 2013, the railway's founder Bill Taylor passed away.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Memorable Manitobans: William Arthur "Bill" Taylor (1944-2013) |url=https://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/taylor_wa2.shtml |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=www.mhs.mb.ca}}</ref> Because of Taylor's significant role in the AVR's operations, the annual Christmas events were cancelled for 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 October 2013 |title=Winnipeg Christmas train ride, light display cancelled |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-christmas-train-ride-light-display-cancelled-1.2251848?cmp=rss |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=CBC News}}</ref> |
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In 2018, the railway added a Halloween event called "The Halloween Train."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Winnipeg Model Railroad Club |url=https://winnipegmodelrailroadclub.blogspot.com/search/label/Assiniboine%20Valley%20Railway |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=winnipegmodelrailroadclub.blogspot.com |language=en}}</ref> |
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On April 23, 2021 the AVR announced that the railway would no longer be able to operate on the Taylor's property. As a result, the AVR moved its rolling stock into storage and most of the physical infrastructure was removed by the fall of 2022.<ref name=":0" /> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Portal|Railways}} |
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*[[List of heritage railways in Canada]] |
*[[List of heritage railways in Canada]] |
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*[[Model train scales]] |
*[[Model train scales]] |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www. |
* [http://www.assiniboinevalleyrailway.org/ Assiniboine Valley Railway] |
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* [http://www.rapidotrains.com/blog/2013/08/20/ Rapido Trains Review of Model Trains in Canadian Prairies] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150403001052/http://www.rapidotrains.com/blog/2013/08/20/ Rapido Trains Review of Model Trains in Canadian Prairies] |
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* [http://kidfriendlymanitoba.com/christmas-at-the-taylors/ Kid-Friendly Manitoba Reviews "Christmas at the Taylors" run by AVR] |
* [http://kidfriendlymanitoba.com/christmas-at-the-taylors/ Kid-Friendly Manitoba Reviews "Christmas at the Taylors" run by AVR] |
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[[Category:Heritage railways in Manitoba]] |
[[Category:Heritage railways in Manitoba]] |
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[[Category:7½ gauge railways in Canada]] |
[[Category:7½ in gauge railways in Canada]] |
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[[Category:Transport in Winnipeg]] |
[[Category:Transport in Winnipeg]] |
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{{Canada-rail-transport-stub}} |
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Latest revision as of 23:20, 23 May 2024
 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Winnipeg |
| Locale | Manitoba, Canada |
| Dates of operation | 1995–2021 |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 7+1⁄2 in (190.5 mm) |
| Length | 6,000 feet (1,800 m)[1] |
| Other | |
| Website | www |
Assiniboine Valley Railway (AVR) was a private 1:8th (1.6" to the foot) scale ridable miniature railway located in the community of Charleswood near Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
The railway used track gauge 7+1⁄2 in (190.5 mm). Construction started in 1995 and operation began in the fall of 1996.[2] A train station was eventually built along the track, and opened on time for a convention in May, 2000.
The railway's assets are owned by the 23-member Assiniboine Valley Railway Club, Inc., with some of the equipment privately owned by members. The railway club president and owner of the land was Bill Taylor until his death in 2013.[3] Presidency then transferred to vice president and co-founder Len La Rue. The network of tracks and "Charleswood Station" was located on Taylor's private 7-acre (2.8 ha) property.[1]
AVR was open to the public for riding during the second weekend of the month between June and October. As of April 2012[update] the railway had nine operating locomotives, including three steam locomotives[4] and 53 cars, with eight more cars under construction.[5] In the span of 26 years, the club laid more than 6,000 feet (1,800 m) of track.[1]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the club had to close to the public as a result of provincial public health orders.
In April 2021, the family of AVR's late founder requested that the railway club vacate the property within six months.[1] This was completed in 2022.
The AVR has asked for financial support from the public, in order to relocate the railway.[6]
History[edit]
The AVR was founded in 1995 by Bill Taylor, and was located entirely on Taylor's property, in Winnipeg's Charleswood area.[7] The railway had it's official grand opening on September 13 1997, in a ceremony attended by Manitoba lieutenant governor Yvon Dumont.[8] The railroad's slogan "Route of the Hazel Nuts" was chosen to reflect the hazel nut bushes which grew around the track.[9]
Until 2019, the AVR offered a "Dinner train Weekend"[7] taking place on the 3rd weekend of September, where riders were able to enjoy a meal while riding the model trains. The meal typically included refreshments, salad, hotdogs and hamburgers. [10]
The AVR was best known for its most popular Christmas events in December. In 2011-2012, approximately 17,000 passengers rode the AVR during the Holiday period.[8] In the early years of the railway, Christmas light runs were operated every night from 6:30 pm till 9:00 pm. from the second weekend of December to the first weekend of January. Christmas lights were used along the line, their numbers growing from 98,000 in 2009 [11] to more than 100,000,[12] reaching 101,213 by December 9, 2012.[13]
On August 26 2013, the railway's founder Bill Taylor passed away.[14] Because of Taylor's significant role in the AVR's operations, the annual Christmas events were cancelled for 2013.[15]
In 2018, the railway added a Halloween event called "The Halloween Train."[16]
On April 23, 2021 the AVR announced that the railway would no longer be able to operate on the Taylor's property. As a result, the AVR moved its rolling stock into storage and most of the physical infrastructure was removed by the fall of 2022.[6]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "Railway Forced To Move". Manitoba Post. May 2, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ "Model Railroad Clubs of the World". National Model Railroad Association. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014.
- ^ Assiniboine Valley Railway's president dies
- ^ Tour of Winnipeg Model Trains
- ^ "International Railway Links". Archived from the original on June 30, 2013.
- ^ a b "Assiniboine Valley Railway". Assiniboine Valley Railway. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ a b "About Us". Assiniboine Valley Railway. 2014-02-16. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ a b Posted, Tony Zerucha / Special to Canstar (2021-05-06). "May 2021: Last whistle for Assiniboine Valley Railway?". Our Communities. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ "ASSINIBOINE VALLEY RAILWAY INC". assiniboinevalleyrailway.org. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ "EVENTS". Assiniboine Valley Railway. 2017-02-16. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ "Christmas at the Taylors". KidFriendlyManitoba.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2012.
- ^ Ride the Christmas Express
- ^ Light Count from the original AVR Website
- ^ "Memorable Manitobans: William Arthur "Bill" Taylor (1944-2013)". www.mhs.mb.ca. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ "Winnipeg Christmas train ride, light display cancelled". CBC News. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Winnipeg Model Railroad Club". winnipegmodelrailroadclub.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2024-05-23.