Travel from Winnipeg into Rural Manitoba on the Prairie Dog Central Railway

If ever you find yourself in Winnipeg Canada I would strongly suggest a visit to the Prairie Dog Central Railway. You will find yourself traveling on a steam train, with fully restored vintage coaches which were built between 1901 and 1913, from the hustle and bustle of the big city of Winnipeg to rural Manitoba.

Just find Inkster Junction Station jump on the train that departs Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am and enjoy a relaxing ride on a route that follows a former Canadian national railways line that passes the Hitch'n Post, Grosse Isle and then to Warren.

En route there are vendors selling all sorts of goodies from food to Arts and Craft items. And whilst you are looking at the items for sale the kids are treated to a ride on kiddie-sized trains.

A little history

Run and maintained by the Vintage Locomotive Society Inc. the Prairie Dog Central Railway is a vintage train that runs regularly in North America.

The railway became open to the general public on July 11 1970 and from then until 1974 the train ran out of Charleswood and along Wilkes Boulevard on the former Canadian National Cabot Subdivision. From 1975 'til 1996 the Prairie Dog Central Railway stopped running for two years giving the Society time to embark on a huge fundraising campaign.

Today the Prairie Dog central is run by a dedicated team of volunteer members of the Vintage Locomotive Society Incorporated which is a non-profit organization whose main concern is that of maintaining the Prairie Dog Central Railway.

Excursions

Running regularly May thru September at the weekends the Prairie Dog Central also offers other specialty trips throughout the year such as a Railway Fall Supper, Viva Las Vegas (adults only), Howlin Halloween, a Santa Evening and Breakfast with Santa.

Souvenirs

Of course no day out is complete without taking a few souvenirs home. At the Prairie Dog Central you will find a gift shop housed in the Freight Shed. It's fun for the children to buy guard hats and whistles to really get into the spirit of things of course nothing says that the adults can't as well....!

Charters

Celebrate a special occasion such as weddings, anniversaries, family reunions or school outings by chartering the Prairie Dog Central. Have your own vintage railway train for the day.

All you need to do is choose the date that you wish to depart from Inkster Junction Station, which of the three entertainment and dining locations that you wish to stop at and for some more fun you can even have an old- fashioned train robbery arranged.

You can charter the train and the price is an all-inclusive price and you can have up to 300 guests.

May - Sept $4499

Oct-Dec $4999

The price is per group maximum of 300 people and is all-inclusive.

I can strongly recommend a trip on the Prairie Dog Central especially if you are looking for a relaxing time. The volunteers are happy, friendly and knowledgeable.

Source:
Author's own travels
www.pdcrailway.com