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August 28, 2018

RailDays 2018

RailDays is just around the corner, and we continue to improve this yearly event. We are pleased to once again welcome the Ontario Northland Railway Historical Society, the Toronto Hamilton & Buffalo Railway Historical Society, and new this year, a great new addition to our displays, Trevor, the Time Travelling Historian, with his display showing the transit history of Toronto, done in Lego!! He will also have information on the proposed Toronto Transit Museum. We are looking forward to this very unique display.hepc46outside M19-1 outshop1 raildays18_2 transitbricks Outside you’ll see our 1948 GE 25ton diesel on the south track, alongside our 1950’s ex-CNR Fairmont M19 motorcar.

This event will run rain or shine, and there is something to see and do? for all ages. We look forward to seeing you at the biggest railway event in this part of Ontario.

July 4, 2018

July Open weekend

Lots going on right now. Our July open weekend is july 7th and 8th from 10am to 4pm both days rain or shine. ?Admission is by donation. Elsewhere we’re about to start our biggest restoration project yet. We now have the boards to redo the exterior of the ex-CN flanger that was donated by Genaire Ltd in December 2016. Really looking forward to seeing this project through. The new timbers for the rear pilot beam for HEPC 46 are also on site, and will be getting installed shortly.

Lots happening, and we can always use help. If you’re looking for something to do, why ?it become a member and volunteer some time to help the museum progress. No experience is necessary. We can also always used financial and material contributions.

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The new tongue in groove boards are all cut and ready at Boardmaster Sawmill on Sodom Rd.

The new tongue in groove boards are all cut and ready at Boardmaster Sawmill on Sodom Rd.

January 4, 2018

Happy New Year

Happy New Year. 2017 was the best year ever at the Museum, celebrating our 20th Anniversary. We saw a decent increase in visitors, and our 2nd Annual Rail Days event in September was our biggest event at the shop every.? The NRM now moves into 2018 celebrating the 70th birthday of our GE 25ton diesel, which was built in January 1948. 2018 is also filling up with a full schedule of events both on and off site.

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newproject46sm 46smRestoration work will continue this year on HEPC 46. In 2017, thanks to a donation from Derek Costello, 46 received an all new front pilot beam and footboard. The coupler was mounted and she is now able to be moved around, and brought outside for display. We are looking to do the rear pilot beam this spring and would like to raise extra funds to start the cab rebuild. Donations can be made to Project 46.

Other work around the shop will be TH&B gondola #2676, which involves returning the car back to its as delivered TH&B lettering. CN flanger 56323 will also start to receive work, with new wood on the outside, and some on the inside as well. The goal will be to have one side restored in 2017 as time and funds permit. September will see the 3rd Annual Rail Days event, and we are continuing to work on growing this yearly event.

 

raildays18smHowever, before we can get to any of those events, we have the Niagara 18th Annual Niagara Model Railway Show in St. Catharines.

The Museum is a Charitable Organization, and can issue tax receipts for any donations made. We are always in need of financial contributions to help further our many restoration projects, and of course, those projects can’t get done without our dedicated volunteers/members, and we’re always looking for new members. Material donations can be made by contacting us dierectly to arrange for pick up or drop off. Financial contributions can be made through our secure provider,Canada Helps at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/niagara-railway-museum-inc/

All in all as we head into our 21st year, the Niagara Railway Museum Inc. has another busy year ahead, and we hope to see you out at some of our many events.

September 17, 2017

Rail Days 2017

A VERY big thank you to everyone who came to Rail Days at the shop this weekend. It was the biggest event we’ve ever held at the shop and it was an overwhelming success. Thanks to the Ontario Northland and Toronto Hamilton and Buffalo Railway Historical societies, and our vendors for joining us at this event. Our night photo shoot was small, but there were some great pics from it, and we look forward to holding it again in 2018. The event wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our great group of volunteers who gave up so much of their time this weekend to put together a great event. (Aaron, Adam, Bill, Garry, Ken, JT, Jim, Nolan, Audrey, Wayne G, Colin, Mike, Wayne M, John and Lynn).

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One of the Wainfleet bog cars (converted to a flat car) on display.

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This small diorama was displayed on the bog car, and shows the Wainfleet Bogs original Brookville locomotive.

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The GE and TH&B gondola outside on display.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NRM Member Adam Puchalski was able to get this neat shot of the GE & 46 from above.

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Looking down the lead at dusk.

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The TH&B gon, Flanger and sand tower.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sunset at the shop, with the GE & 46 outside before the night shoot.

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HEPC46 with a bit of blue light at the night shoot.

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A simple shot with the phone with the GE & 46.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right after Rail Days, we were able to acquire an old rail siding and turnout from a company in Toronto. The rail was removed by the property developer and we were able to get OWS Rail to pick the rail up on Friday, and deliver it to the Museum site. This track, when combined with the siding we still have to remove from a local industry near the Museum, will go towards rebuilding the north track, and eventually connecting all 3 shop tracks again for the first time in almost 3oyrs.

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OWS Rail Contracting picked up the rail in Toronto.

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Bill from OWS delivered and stacked all the rail at the shop.

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The finished stack of rail.

 

 

 

 

July 14, 2017

July open weekend

We’ve been very busy both at the Museum and off site. Canada Day weekend we had a display in Ridgeway for the Canada 150 celebrations, while being open at the Museum at the same time. A big thanks to our members who stepped up and covered both events.

The Canada Day weekend was followed by our July Open Weekend. Saturday was as usual the busier day, and we were given a Certificate from the Town of Fort Erie, congratulating the Niagara Railway Museum on its 20th Anniversary. Our members BBQ on Saturday night was attended by Mayor Wayne Redekop and Councillor Stephen Passero. Mayor Redekop made the presentation to Museum President Ken Jones, and his father Ken Jones, in front of our invited members and guests. We are very pleased to be recognized for this milestone in Museum history. After the BBQ the Mayor joined Ken in the cab of our 25tonner for a short trip down the Museum track.

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The GE and HEPC 46 outside in the sun.

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Ken Jones, NRM President Ken Jones, Mayor Wayne Redekop and Councillor Stephen Passero during the presentation of the certificate from the Town.

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Our Certificate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The mayor takes his turn at the throttle.

HEPC 46 was even pulled outside for display. Saturday was just for some nortmal photos, but Sunday we were visited by the Antique & Classic Car Club of Canada – Niagara Region Chapter. 2 of the cars were posed with 46 and we were pleased to have them visit the Museum. The weekend was very well attended with the furthest visitors coming from Germany (ok, so they didn’t come from Germany just to visit the Museum).

46car2 46car1There is still so much more to come at the Museum in 2017. We will have new equipment arriving soon, including the last gondola from the Toronto Hamilton & Buffalo Railway. We have had some extra donations come in, including some very much needed track materials from a local industry that no longer has rail service. In less than 2 months the Museum will be holding our biggest event at the site ever, Rail Days. While we’re still working on the event, we do have 5 model train layouts confirmed, and we’re waiting to hear back from a few model train vendors as well. Still so much to see this year. Rail Days will celebrate not just the railway history of the area, but the 20th Anniversary of the Niagara Railway Museum Inc., which strives to preserve and protect that railway heritage. We hope you will join us on September 9/10.

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February 18, 2017

Buffalo Train Show – Saturday Feb. 18

The Niagara Railway Museum went on the road again this weekend, taking part in the Buffalo Train and Toy Show held at the Hamburg Fairgrounds in Hamburg NY.? This bi-annual show draws from all over, and we are very pleased to be a part of it. We took the CP Woodings CBI motorcar and our small display. As a bonus, we were placed beside a restored Kalamazoo Velocipede, so it showed 2 different eras of track equipment. We spoke to many people about the Museum, and what we have planned for our 20th anniversary this year.? A lot of show and open house flyers were handed out, as were Museum brochures and business cards. Hoping for another great day on Sunday.

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The motorcar is always well received as part of our small display.

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Ken & Adam discuss the day before the show opens.

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Our 1985 Woodings CBI beside an 1883 Kalamzoo Velocipede.

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Flower City Hi Railers have a rather impressive O layout. This is a dream scheme GT unit.

January 15, 2017

Welcome to our 20th Anniversary!!

The Niagara Railway Museum Inc. was founded in 1997 by Ken S. Jones as the Niagara Falls Railway Museum. After years of having no luck in Niagara Falls, it was decided to change the name and search for a new home elsewhere. In 2010 the Museum made arrangements with the owner of the former Canadian National Railway diesel locomotive shop in Fort Erie, Ontario, and immediately began cleaning the interior along with building new track outside, and moving equipment onto the site. Fast forward to 2017 and the Museum’s 20th year. 2016 ended with the arrival of an ex-CNR flanger donated by the family of Gerry Wool of Genaire Ltd. in Niagara On the Lake. There was also a second car donated to the Museum which is currently stored offsite, and more information will be coming this week. This car will be moved in the spring.

There is just so much happening at the Museum this year, and we hope you’ll stop by at some of the great events we have planned. Just some of the coming events we have planned.? And don’t forget, the Museum is open Saturdays from June 17th to September 30th. Our second big open weekend at the Museum will be July 9th & 10th, and of course our Fall Model Railway Show on October 29th. More information on many of these coming events will be provided as the time gets closer, but be sure to check out our first event, the 17th Annual Niagara Model Railway Show on March 5th.

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October 18, 2016

New acquisitions!!

The Niagara Railway Museum Inc. is continuing to expand in 2016.? We have already announced the first piece of equipment that we are working on moving, ex-CNR wood body snow flanger #56323, which has been donated by the Warner family in St. Catharines.? This car is currently used as a meeting/conference room, and will be a great useful addition to the Museum.

We now move on to our next piece. We have been working on this item since the spring, and are very pleased to say that the last gondola from the Toronto Hamilton & Buffalo Railway will soon be joining the collection. TH&B 2676 was built in February 1966 by National Steel Car in Hamilton. 2676 was a multi use car, hauling finished steel products, stone, scrap, pipe, and other metals in and out of Hamilton, with it’s final assignment being a load of scrap rail from British Columbia to Hamilton.? The car was removed from service once unloaded and stored, awaiting movement to the Museum. We are working with CP to get the car moved to Fort Erie, and we are now fundraising for the movement of both cars, as well as the restoration back to its original markings.

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TH&B 2676 in Fisher Yard in March 2003. (Lance Brown photo)

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Hamilton Yard in November 2015. (Lance Brown photo)

 

 

The Museum is looking forward to have these 2 items join our growing collection. If you would like to contribute to these 2 projects, you can send payment directly to the Niagara Railway Museum Inc. at 6521 Burdette Dr. Niagara Falls, Ont. L2E 5H4. You can also make a secure online donation by visiting Canada Helps. The Niagara Railway Museum Inc. is a Charitable Organization registered with the Canada Revenue Agency. All donations over $25 are eligible for a Charitable Tax Receipt.

In other news, the 13th Annual Fall Niagara Model Railway Show is completely sold out for October. This is the first time we’ve sold out at this hall, and we are of course very pleased with this. The show is Sunday October 30th, 10am to 330pm at the Merritton Community Centre, 7 Park Ave in St. Catharines.

July 14, 2016

July open weekend

Our second big event of 2016 has come and gone, and everyone was pretty beat at the end of it all. We didn’t have the same advertising as May ,but we still had a decent turnout for the 2 days. Our night photo shoot had one photographer show up, but he was quite pleased with what we had to offer and wants to come back. So with that, we are now planning to hold another one on Saturday, September 10th.? More information will be made available as we get closer to the event.

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The GE 25tonner and HEPC 46 outside.

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HEPC 46 “under steam” and outside.

We did manage to get a bit of work done during the weekend.? Wayne M continued painting the cinderblock walls, with most of that being about 85% complete now. We also took some time to temporarily install one of the couplers on HEPC 46 to make it easier, and safer to move her in and out of the shop. The wood buffer beams will all be part of the cosmetic restoration, which we call Project 46.? Project 46 is the fundraising initiative to help complete the restoration. 46 and the GE were posed outside for the night photo shoot.

The open house itself went very well. A big thanks to Bill and Garry for once again bringing out the Ontario Northland Historical Society display, which includes HO models of ONR equipment, photos and artifacts. Also thanks to our members who came out on both days to take care of our visitors as they toured around the shop. We received lots of great feedback from our guests and everyone understood that the Niagara Railway Museum is a major work in progress. There were? a few new items for display as well.

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Our display cases, custom built by Dave Torbett, were returned and placed back into the display car.

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Running a few new trains on the G scale layout, including this narrow gauge Whitcomb and cars.

The rain managed to hold off except for a short time during the night photo shoot. 46 got a much needed bath thanks to Mother Nature!! Despite a push from our friends at the Welland Historical Museum,? the weather did keep our night photo shoot to a very small affair.? JW Vraets from Grimsby came down and spent about 3hrs with us, taking pics of many of our pieces.? Once the rain let up we were able to get outside to the GE and 46. It was a good time with some neat pictures, and was definitely a learning experience.

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HEPC 46 and the GE 25tonner outside under the quarter moon.

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NRM President Ken Jones at the controls of HEPC 46.

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Inside the cab of CN 9173.

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The last pic of the night, looking towards the east end of the shop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to everyone who came out to support railway heritage in Niagara. We do this to keep one part of our Regions history alive for the current, and future generations. We will continue to expand and interpret our collection. We try to make changes throughout the year to rotate some of our collection through the display. Our next big event is September 10/11, 10am to 4pm both days, rain or shine. However, we are also open every Saturday from 10am -2pm until the end of September.

July 7, 2016

Open Weekend – July 9th and 10th

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HEPC46 has had some work done, and will soon be undergoing a cosmetic restoration.

This coming weekend is our second big event for the year. We have been working hard on new displays, and to fix some other issues in the shop itself. Some of that work is ongoing, but we’re ready for our visitors this weekend. Saturday night from 8-10pm we will be having a mini night photo shoot at the museum.? We do ask for a $5 donation, with all proceeds going towards the cosmetic restoration of HEPC 46, our steam locomotive. Photographers will be required to bring whatever they need for the shoot. Different angles will be available with both our GE diesel and steam locomotive.

As always, admission to our open weekend, which runs from 10am to 4pm rain or shine both days, is by cash donation. There’s lots to see and do for all ages. 2?operating train layouts, Thomas play table, equipment displays, with some equipment open for visitors. And don’t forget our 2 display cars and our Museum store.

For more information visit www.nfrm.ca or call 905 357 6539.

 

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