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News articles about heritage and cultural
destinations;
tourism in Central Alberta; miniature worlds and model rail
2019
Model and
miniature
Halkirk features intricate indoor
model train display
The Halkirk Prairie Short Line Club is behind
the project
May 26, 2019, Stettler Independent (Mark Weber)
If in the Halkirk area, check out an amazingly-crafted, intricate
indoor model train display set up at 126 Alberta Ave. The Halkirk Prairie Short Line Club operates what they describe as
the nation's largest 1:29 scale model, set up in amazing detail in a
quonset at the site. The Club holds open houses of the display from 2 to 4 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, said Nicholas Teekman,
the Club's secretary. The
(more)
Future Destination - International Cultural
Village
Red Deer group is pushing to create a local 'international
village' to promote unity
A city made up of immigrants has no place
for intolerance, say group members
Jan. 18, 2019, Red Deer Advocate (Lana Michelin)
Disheartened by inflamed anti-immigrant sentiment, a Red Deer group
wants to revive a decades-old plan to start an international village
in the city. It's time to remind people where their descendants came
from -- and how various cultures make up the fabric of central
Alberta, says group member Betty Wulff, of the city's Norwegian Laft
Hus Society. "It's time to go back and be proud of what your parents
and grandparents
(more)
2018
Current Cultural Event - Fort Normandeau Days
Cannons roar
Fort Normandeau brings people together for re-enactment during
celebration of cultures
August 28, 2018, Red Deer Advocate (Susan Zielinski)
The thunder of cannon fire rang out at Fort Normandeau where
re-enactments of the 1885 Rebellion attracted about 350 people
Saturday afternoon, and another crowd Sunday during Fort Normandeau
Days. During the annual black powder re-enactments, gun fire breaks
out after unsuccessful talks between Canadian soldiers and Metis and
First Nations peoples. Alden Boysis, who played a Cree warrior in
the re-enactment, said the
(more)
Current Cultural Event - Fort Normandeau Days
Fort Normandeau Days
Celebration centres on 'the meeting of
cultures'
August 25, 2018, Red Deer Advocate (Sean McIntosh)
It will be like stepping into the 1800s at Fort Normandeau this
weekend. Fort Normandeau Days runs from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and
Sunday at the historical site, which marks the birthplace of Red
Deer. Tanya Wells, Kerry Wood Nature Centre and Fort Normandeau
special events co-ordinator and public programmer, said the event is
a "fun-filled two days" and celebrates First Nations, Metis and
European cultures coming together. "It's
(more)
Current Tourist Destination - Discovery
Wildlife Park
New facilities approved for Discovery Wildlife
Park
January 30, 2018, Innisfail Province (Johnnie Bachusky)
Discovery Wildlife Park has been approved for a significant
development upgrade that will include two new cabins for its
campground. At council's Jan. 22 regular meeting a development
permit application from the zoo was presented and approved for the
construction of a new washroom facility and holding tank, a new
registration building at the entrance of the campground, a new water
well near the campground and two cabins in
(more)
2017
Current Tourist Destination - Sunnybrook Farm
Museum
Sunnybrook Farm Museum
Take a walk back in time during Pioneer Days
August 3, 2017, Red Deer Advocate (Sean McIntosh)
Get ready to take a trip back in time. Sunnybrook Farm Museum in Red
Deer (4701 30th St.) is hosting the 22nd annual Pioneer Days
Festival, Aug. 19-20, with entertainment for the whole family. There
will be a pancake breakfast, a silent auction, a tractor parade, an
antique toy display, a bouncy castle, live animal exhibitions and
more through the weekend at the museum. "It's so exciting to have
the festival," said Sunnybrook Farm
(more)
One-Time Cultural Event - Alberta Prairie
Railway
Stettler and Big Valley celebrate Canada's
150th birthday with steam trains
May 23, 2017, Red Deer Advocate, May 25, 2017, Central Alberta Life
(Lana Michelin)
Canada was shaped by railroads, so it's fitting a Rails and Tales
steam train celebration is being planned for this nation's 150th
birthday. Three vintage steam locomotives will be featured in
special events from June 28 to July 5 in Big Valley and Stettler.
The Rails and Tales activities -- to include Metis dancers, steam
tractors and other early agricultural equipment, and a rail history
display -- is being organized by the East Central Alberta
(more)
2016
Current Tourist Destination - Alberta Prairie
Railway
All Aboard
Stettler's Polar Express offering round
trips to the North Pole
Dec. 13, 2016, Red Deer Advocate (Susan
Zielinski) & Dec. 22, 2016, Central Alberta Life
Families wearing fleece pyjamas beneath their winter coats are
climbing aboard The Polar Express in Stettler for round trips
to the North Pole throughout December. Travellers on one-hour
holiday train ride with Alberta Prairie Railway experience the
classic children's book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van
Allsburg, about a boy who takes a magical Christmas Eve train ride
to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa. Last week,
Arctic (more)
Current Tourist Destination
- Alberta Prairie Railway
Alberta Prairie Railway to whisk riders away
on The Polar Express
Nov. 15, 2016, Red Deer Advocate
A holiday train ride aboard Alberta Prairie Railway is bringing The
Polar Express motion picture to life starting Dec. 1. The one-hour
The Polar Express Train Ride departs from Stettler for a round trip
to the "North Pole". Set to the sounds of the motion picture
soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the story as they
are whisked away on The Polar Express. Hot chocolate and a cookie
treat will be served as passengers read along with
(more)
Current Tourist Destination
- Alberta Prairie Railway
Over 1K visitors at Alberta Prairie Railway's pumpkin patch
Oct. 19, 2016, Stettler Independent (Moush
Sara John)
Patrons and visitors from all over the province came to attend
Alberta Prairie Railway's Harvest Pumpkin Fest, riding the special
trains that took them to the pumpkin patch on Saturday, Oct. 15.
According to Bob Willis, general manager of Alberta Prairie Railway,
there was a very slight decrease in the total numbers this year from
those of 2014 and 2015, with 1,082 attendees this year. But, he
attributes this to the "challenging"
(more)
Current Tourist Destination
- Discovery Wildlife Park
Zoo campground approved
Feb. 2, 2016, Innisfail Province
(Johnnie Bachusky)
Town council has given the go-ahead to Discovery
Wildlife Park to develop a 66-unit campground on nearly nine acres
of land at the northeast corner of the zoo's 90-acre property. With
council's approval, development work on the new campground will
begin this year and be ready for campers in 2017. The application,
which was previously approved by the town's Municipal Planning
Commission, was presented to town council at its
(more)
2015
Model and
miniature
Calgary Free-mo organizes the 12th Alberta
set-up in Big Valley
Aug. 19, 2015, Stettler Independent (Moush Sara John)
The Big Valley Agriplex was transformed into scaled-down villages
and towns of Canada as members of different free-form modular
railroading (free-mo) came together on the weekend, Aug. 15-16 to
participate in the 12th annual Alberta set-up. There were 45 participants, mostly from Alberta but some had come
from British Columbia and Idaho, United States. The exhibit had 400 feet of railroad track with a few dozen trains,
as well as
(more)
Future Destination - Mintlaw Railway Trestle
CARTS Eyeing Mintlaw Bridge for
Trans Canada Trail Leg
Between Red Deer & Springbrook
July 7, 2015, Radio News
Broadcast - Sunny 94 FM website
Central Alberta Regional Trails Society is hoping both the County
and City of Red Deer will partner with them to make a leg of the
Trans Canada Trail System a reality between Red Deer and Springbrook.
The Society has studied routes for the trail, with 4 options
identified. CARTS President Paul Pettypiece says they are attracted
to the Mintlaw Bridge option, which brings with it great potential
for tourism "the Mintlaw Bridge is a 21
(more)
Future Destination - Mintlaw Railway Trestle
Mintlaw Trestle
Preservation opportunity should not be lost
June 23, 2015, Commentary - Innisfail Province (Paul Pettypiece)
Creating trail link to rail bridge an
opportunity not to be lost
June 16, 2015, Letter to the Editor - Red Deer Advocate (Paul
Pettypiece)
There are times in our history when the stars line up to create an
unusual opportunity to do something special that future generations will
cherish. This is one of those times.
A few years ago, Red Deer County was gifted for $1 the relatively
unknown, historic 644-metre-long Alberta Central Railway steel trestle
across the Red Deer River just a few kilometres southwest of Red Deer
along with the right of way from Hwy 2A to Benalto.
(more)
2014
Current Tourist Destination - Discovery
Wildlife Park
Big win for Discovery Wildlife Park
Oct. 28, 2014, Innisfail Province
(Johnnie Bachusky)
The 2014 season has been over at Discovery Wildlife Park since the
end of the Thanksgiving long weekend but the zoo is rejoicing with a
glorious aftermath. Discovery Wildlife Park was awarded a
Travel Alberta Alto Award on Oct. 20 for its commitment to service
excellence. The zoo won over co-finalists Alpine Village Cabin
Resort in Jasper and Edmonton's Northlands. The Alto Award
recognizes the park for delivering outstanding
(more)
Railway Day offers a glimpse at
transportation's past
Aug. 20, 2014, Ponoka News (Amelia Naismith)
It was full steam ahead for the Alberta Central Railway Museum in
Wetaskiwin as it opened up the grounds for its largest event of the
year, Railway Day. Featuring a pancake breakfast, beaver tails,
which is a bread type dish, a spike driving demonstration, wagon
rides, speeder rides and train rides, the one-day event attracts 350
to 450 visitors annually. "We've been doing Railway Day for 20
years," explained operations manager Bill Wilson.
(more)
Current Tourist Destination - Discovery
Wildlife Park
Zoo on National Geographic television series
May 13, 2014, Innisfail Province (Johnnie Bachusky)
Despite the unpredictable and often unseasonably cold weather,
Discovery Wildlife Park is off to a good start for the 2014 season. Highlighted by the inclusion of Alberta's first cheetahs in almost
two decades, the arrival of a pair of adorable black wolf cubs and
an imminent worldwide broadcast of a National Geographic show that
features a renowned veterinarian plying her skills at the park, zoo
officials are understandably excited for
(more)
2013
Current Tourist Destination - Alberta Prairie
Railway
Hanna society
buys historic roundhouse
Dec. 12, 2013, Drumheller
Mail (Pat Kolafa)
The
Hanna Roundhouse is getting a new lease on life as it enters the
next phase of its history.
The Hanna Roundhouse Society has been working on finding a way to
keep the landmark intact for future generations to enjoy. The
biggest stumbling block it had however was the ownership of the
icon.
This September all of that changed.
"We purchased the property on September 20," said Sandra Beaudoin
who has been working on
(more)
Current Tourist Destination - Sunnybrook Farm
Museum
Sunnybrook Farm starts next phase of growth
Oct. 19, 2013, Red Deer Advocate
(Crystal Rhyno)
Transforming the southern landscape of Sunnybrook Farm Museum into a
living farm community took another step forward this week. A
sod-turning ceremony on Thursday marked the start of the next phase
of the South Development Project -- the Co-operative Mercantile
Store and upgrades to the site's water and sanitary services.
Construction is expected to get underway next spring with the goal
to begin welcoming visitors (more)
Current Tourist Destination
Arches mark influence of railroad on city
Oct. 19, 2013, Red Deer Advocate (Crystal Rhyno)
The Historic Arches project
was unveiled at Centennial Plaza Park in Red Deer on Friday after
nearly 20 years in the making.
The nine-pillar arches near Alexander Way and 52nd Avenue celebrate
the influence of transportation and the railways in the development
of the city.
Bill MacKay, president of the Central Alberta Historical Society,
said the arches record the history of the railroad and its impact on
the residents.
(more)
Current Tourist Destination - Alberta Prairie
Railway
Big Plans for
the Hanna Roundhouse
Oct. 17, 2013, Drumheller Online (Codi Bangay)
The
Hanna Roundhouse Society has big plans for their recently acquired
1913 Canadian Northern Roundhouse.
While entering the UFA Get'n'Give $50,000, the volunteers of the
society are hoping to restore the century old building in order to
create a Community Cultural Centre.
President of the Hanna Roundhouse Society, Sandra Beaudoin, says "We
are trying to restore this building for future generations to be
able to appreciate and (more)
Current Tourist Destination - Alberta Prairie
Railway
Hanna Roundhouse celebrates new beginnings
Oct. 2, 2013, East Central Alberta Review (Katie Davis)
Everyone was doing the proverbial locomotion at the Hanna Roundhouse
on Saturday, September 28 as the historical venue played host to an
Open House to showcase it's new look.
The 100 year old structure was recently acquired by the Hanna
Roundhouse Society and has since been given a sprucing up in effort
to promote and preserve this piece of history as one of the last
roundhouses left in Canada. "The roundhouse is a
(more)
Current Tourist Destination - Alberta Central
Railway Museum
Railway Days still chugging along to success
Aug. 21, 2013, Wetaskiwin Times (Michael Chan)
All aboard!
The annual Railway Day event was held at Alberta Central Railway
Museum Aug. 18.
The event is an opportunity for children and families to learn about
history on the railways. It's also a chance for visitors to take a
train ride around the site.
The museum site features railway stations, railcars and a restored
train. All of the restoration work on the vehicles at the museum was
done by the Railway Day organizer Bill Wilson and his
(more)
Current Tourist Destination - Alberta Central
Railway Museum
Alberta Central Railway Museum's Ice Cream
Festival for kids of all ages
August 8, 2013, Leduc-Wetaskiwin
Pipestone Flyer (Barry McDonald)
There is nothing much more nostalgic than to take a train ride
winding through fields of barley and canola and ending the trip with
a 'free' homemade ice cream cone. Yet that is what kids of all ages
experienced at the Alberta Central Railway Museum in a lovely
country setting south-east of Wetaskiwin on August 4th, 2013. Many
of the elderly were reminiscing about their train trips of 'years
ago' while youngsters were experiencing
(more)
2012
Model and
miniature
Trains still roll for some
Local model hobbyists glad
to be withstanding onslaught of video games
Nov. 26, 2012, Red Deer
Advocate (Paul Cowley)
For model train lovers like Gord Sylvester it was encouraging to see
so many youngsters gathered around the railway displays at this past
weekend's Red Deer Model Train and Hobby Show.
Thanks to the onslaught of video games, the number of youngsters who
set up tracks and run trains in their basements is dwindling.
Sylvester, show organizer and owner of Fun Times Hobby and Cycle in
Red Deer, has been selling model trains since
(more)
Current Tourist Destination
Blog
All Aboard! Big Valley Canadian Northern Railway Station Celebrates 100 Years
Sept. 13, 2012, Alberta RETROactive, Blogging Alberta Historic
Places (Dorothy Field)
At one time, more than 800 communities in Alberta had a train
station. This is no longer the case. Fewer than 10% of Alberta's
train stations remain today, and even fewer continue to serve their
original purpose. The Canadian Northern Railway Station at Big
Valley - designated a Provincial Historical Resource in 2005 - is
one of those few. Train excursions run regularly from Stettler to
Big Valley, often with the mighty 6060 Steam
(more)
Current Tourist Destination - Alberta Central
Railway Museum
Railway Day promises fun for the whole family
Aug. 15, 2012, Ponoka
News (Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye)
Old trains seem to strike the imagination of just about every child;
pulling the cable and announcing a train in departure is probably on
their bucket list of things to do in life. They just might be able
to fulfill that dream at Alberta Central Railway Museum Aug. 19. The
museum will host its annual Railway Day with a range of activities
and rides for the entire family, explained operations manager Bill
Wilson. "We try to keep it family-oriented.
(more)
Model and miniature
Lacombe County
Back
yard model railway
track okayed
August 10, 2012, Red Deer
Advocate (Paul Cowley)
Ernie Beskowiney's dream of building a model steam engine railroad
in his rural backyard near Eckville keeps chugging right along.
Lacombe County's municipal planning commission has conditionally
approved a development permit to allow Beskowiney to go ahead with
his plan to build a one-eighth scale model railway track, complete
with a working steam-powered miniature locomotive.
Beskowiney has spent years making the engine, a
(more)
Future Destination - Mintlaw Railway Trestle
Mintlaw
County council looks at bridge
as tourist attraction
April 11, 2012, Red Deer
Advocate (Paul Cowley)
A former rail bridge across the Red Deer River is well suited as a
scenic walkway, but the millions of dollars to make it happen must
come from elsewhere, Red Deer County council agreed on Tuesday.
Council voted in favour of accepting the recommendation of
consultants to convert the former Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. span
into a tourist attraction and link to walking trails, complete with
viewing platforms and parking areas. The cost
(more)
2010
Model and miniature
Stay busy, stay young
Sylvan Lake senior
builds model trains, planes, tractors
Nov. 15, 2010, Red Deer
Advocate (Stacy O'Brien)
Stepping into Fred Freschette's shop, at his home west of Sylvan
Lake, is like walking into Santa's workshop.
Real working models of diesel trains, steam tractors, Second World
War planes and even a steamboat sit or hang from nearly every
corner.
He even has a full-size steam tractor, dating back to when the
Prairies were initially being settled, in the machine and welding
area in his garage.
"I'm an old boy who likes his toys, just like
(more)
Future Destination -
Harvard Historical Aviation Centre
HHAS preserving legacy of war
November 9, 2010, Innisfail Province, by Michaela
Johnstone
Members of the Harvard Historical Aviation Society, based in Springbrook, have plans to build a historically-inspired facility to
house a collection of treasurers from war days long past. And with 2010 being the 70th anniversary of the British
Commonwealth Air Training Plan, which started the Penhold Air Base, the
timing couldn't be better. Jodi Smith, president of the society, said
they have plans to build a replica of an
(more)
Future
Destination - Forth Junction Heritage Rail Park
Forth Junction
Tourism board supports rail project
Oct.
28, 2010,
Red Deer Advocate (Laura Tester)
Tourism Red Deer is
giving an initial stamp of approval to a Red Deer group's proposal
for a children's theme park and group transportation museum in the
largely undeveloped district of Riverlands.
Executive director Darren Kuz said the tourism board met earlier
this month with Paul Pettypiece, president of Forth Junction
Heritage Society, to hear the group's dreams for tourist attractions
in the city and Red Deer County that embrace a railway
(more)
Future
Destination - Forth Junction Heritage Rail Park
Forth Junction
Rail tourist attraction idea
gets rolling
July 31, 2010,
Red Deer Advocate (Laura Tester)
A proposed major
tourist attraction focused on the railways and ground transportation
is gathering some steam in Red Deer, says the president of the Forth
Junction Heritage Society.
Paul Pettypiece said the society is getting interest about its
proposed project that is expected to take 20 years to develop.
Members have been circulating their message around through word of
mouth since earlier this year. This fall, Forth Junction
(more)
Model and miniature
At work in two golden ages
Ernie Beskowiney
builds working models of classic
steam engines,
using computer-driven tools
-- and an obsession with accuracy
July 3, 2010, Red Deer
Advocate (Paul Cowley)
BENALTO -
Growing up on a farm in rural Saskatchewan, if Ernie Beskowiney
wanted a toy he had to make it himself.
"I'm from a very poor family," he says. "I never had a bought toy in
my life."
Fortunately, he discovered an early knack for modelling the kinds of
machines that surrounded him, and that he could run by the time he
was nine or 10 years old.
"I'd look at a tractor and produce it in wood."
A half-century later, Beskowiney
(more)
Model and miniature and current destination -
Innisfail Historical Village
New exhibits call
Historical Village home
May 10, 2010, Innisfail Province (Michaela Ludwig)
Two new exhibits at the
Innisfail Historical Village tell more about Innisfail's founding
years.
As a 40-year anniversary project, the Innisfail and District
Historical Society set about restoring the Village's Bowden CP Rail
station. And through the doors of that old station, visitors will
find several displays depicting Innisfail in its early years and
what the railroad meant to central Alberta. Scaled-down model trains
chug along the tracks
(more)
Model and miniature and current destination -
Innisfail Historical Village
'Sleeper' village grand opening set
May 10, 2010, Red Deer
Advocate (Paul Cowley)
Innisfail Historical Village
has been a bit of a sleeper among Central Alberta attractions.
Curator Dean Jorden and other members of the Innisfail and District
Historical Society plans to use their 40th anniversary celebrations
to change that.
To draw more people to the society's impressive collection of
historic buildings, vehicles, equipment and other artifacts in the
middle of Innisfail, a project to restore the 1904 Bowden CPR rail
station has
(more)
Future
Destination - Forth Junction Heritage Rail Park
Our Opinion (Editorial)
New idea for Riverlands worth
an Olympic cheer
Feb. 24, 2010, Red Deer
Express (Johnnie Bachusky)
While Olympians continue
their quest for glory this week in Vancouver, there are those in
this city and region quietly moving forward with dreams of their
own.
Before the recession dropped like a bomb in late 2008 Red Deer was
positioning itself for an exciting and prosperous future with
ambitious Olympian-like plans for the Riverlands that featured a
canal-driven development concept with an ultimate goal of making the
city a major
(more)
Future
Destination - Forth Junction Heritage Rail Park
Our View (Editorial)
One-time
opportunity
Feb. 8, 2010, Red Deer
Advocate (Greg Neiman)
Let's set aside throne speeches, Parliaments, taxes and frozen
windrows of snow for a while and think about something really
important: a model rail museum and theme park for Riverlands.
The first time you hear of a tourism-themed idea like this, the
normal reaction is: "What the heck are you thinking about?"
If the idea cannot climb over that first reaction, it is dead.
Witness the proposal for a set of canals running through the
(more)
Future
Destination - Forth Junction Heritage Rail Park
Commentary:
Happy to hear more talk on
large scale attractions
Feb. 5, 2010, Red Deer
Advocate online blog (Leo Pare) & print edition Feb. 10, 2010
Since the canals project dried up in late 2008, there hasn't been
much talk around Red Deer's future as a tourism destination.
The Advocate recently posted an online poll which revealed readers'
dismal evaluation of our tourism appeal. Online commenters fiercely
debated Red Deer's ups and downs. Some touted amenities like camp
sites, rec facilities, and natural landscape -- all of which are
tremendous community assets to be sure --
(more)
Future
Destination - Forth Junction Heritage Rail Park
Tourism
proposal facing obstacles
Transportation
theme park must capture attention of public
Feb. 5, 2010, Red Deer
Advocate (Paul Cowley)
The toughest task facing a group trying to develop rail- and
transportation-themed tourist attractions for the Red Deer area will
be getting the proposal moving, predicted a local businessman who
previously pitched canals to put the city on the map.
"They're very difficult," said Ken Mandrusiak of ambitious tourist
concepts. "It's like starting a train. Once you get going, you can
create some momentum." A local group called Forth Junction
(more)
Future
Destination - Forth Junction Heritage Rail Park
World-class attraction proposed
for Riverlands
Forth Junction idea as theme
park based on model train village
Feb. 4, 2010, Red Deer
Advocate (Laura Tester)
World-class attractions focused on railway and other ground
transportation are being promoted for sites in downtown Red Deer and
Red Deer County by a group that has been working quietly for a year
on the vision.
Forth Junction Heritage Society hopes to turn Red Deer into a major
tourist destination that would include shops, a children's theme
park and a ground transportation museum in the heart of Riverlands.
Visitor
(more)
Future Destination - International Cultural
Village
Norwegian club supports Red Deer folk festival
January 11, 2010, Red
Deer Advocate
(Brenda Kossowan)
Some would see it as a mere curiosity -- a piece of wood with a
carved horse attached to one end. To a Norwegian maiden, a wooden
ironing tool hung outside her door is a sign that there is a man in
her life who would make her his bride. By taking the mangletre into
her house, she tells him she would welcome his proposal.
Construction of Red Deer's Norwegian Laft Hus and the artifacts and
books collected inside originate in
(more)
2009
Current Tourist Destination - Alberta Central
Railway Museum
Right on track:
Alberta
Central Train Museum celebrates 17th anniversary
June 10, 2009, Wetaskiwin Times (Vince Burke)
The sound of a train engine being fired up excited the visitors as
they readied themselves for a trip back in time.
The Alberta Central Railway Museum attracted a steady stream of
people, young and old, to check out its exhibits of Central
Alberta's railway history and take a ride on an old passenger train.
It was all part of the museum's 17th anniversary celebration June 7.
"It has been 17 years since we opened in 1992, and every
(more)
2008
Current Tourist Destination - Alberta Central
Railway Museum
He is carrying the message of pioneer trains
June 4, 2008, Red Deer
Express 'Summer Adventures' (Johnnie Bachusky)
Bill Wilson used to be a professional messenger, the type long
forgotten in this day and age. Wilson, now a vibrant hard working
senior citizen, once worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway for
seven years as a telegrapher, sending out Morse code messages across
the province and throughout Canada. During that time he applied his
profession at close to 35 railway stations across Alberta. Along the
way, a deep love and
(more)
Current Tourist Destination - Alberta Prairie
Railway
Take a real train ride with Railway Excursions
June 4, 2008, Red Deer
Express 'Summer Adventures' (Erin Fawcett)
The summer season is full steam ahead for the Alberta Prairie
Railway Excursions. The Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions is
located in Stettler. Exciting one day adventures on board a real
steam train or diesel powered train are offered with a stop in Big
Valley for a bite to eat before returning back to Stettler are
offered. "No one does what we do any where else in the world," said
Bob Willis, general manager of Alberta Prairie Railway
(more)
Future Destination -
Harvard Historical Aviation Centre
Museum idea takes off
Volunteers
raising funds for Springbrook
May 22, 2008, Central
Alberta Life (Brenda Kossowan)
Few decisions have contributed as mightily to Red Deer's growth as
the move to create an air force training centre. As surely as the
Nova Chemicals plant at Joffre has contributed millions of dollars
to the local economy, the creation of CFB Penhold re-shaped the
future of what had been a small prairie city with an
agriculture-based economy. Re-named CFB Penhold in 1966, the flight
training centre originated as a military school in 1939
(more)
2007
Future Destination -
Harvard Historical Aviation Centre
Springbrook
Plan calls for salute to
aviation history
Sept. 1, 2007, Red Deer Advocate (Paul Cowley)
Springbrook's aviation heritage would be saluted on key street
corners and in a showcase museum, according to a proposed plan for
the fast-growing community. The Harvard trainer on display at the Red Deer Regional Airport
would be moved and joined by other aircraft connected with Springbrook's past as a Second World War training ground for pilots.
The planes would be placed around the community and form a
historical walking tour
(more)
Model and miniature
No
average model builder
Welder, engineer, mechanic, body man, Fred
Freschette is a one-man shop full of expert tradesmen
March 15, 2007, Central
Alberta Life (Carl Hahn)
A lot of training goes into every one of Fred Freschette's trains --
and airplanes, boats and everything else he builds. The Sylvan
Lake-area man needs to be a welder, steam engineer, mechanic and
body man to complete his massive, meticulously detailed models.
"I've got five trade tickets," says the 77-year-old. "That doesn't
mean you know it all, it just means you've been around a long time."
He also had experience working on a train.
(more)
News
articles about the vision and progress of the Forth Junction Heritage Society
News articles related to the railway
heritage of Central Alberta
News articles about green transportation:
transit, biking and high speed rail
News articles about recent
rail-related development projects in Central Alberta
News articles about related regional heritage,
history and culture
News articles about regional destinations, tourism
and miniature worlds
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