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News articles about the Forth Junction Heritage Society:
November 12, 2019, Innisfail Province (2-page
article by Johnnie Bachusky)
Never giving up on a
railway dream
Heritage train park plan proposed for
Innisfail
Paul Pettypiece remains a grand beautiful dreamer.
 For more than a decade he's held and pitched a bold
vision of a one-of-a-kind railway heritage park for Central Alberta.
Pettypiece, the president of the 10-member Forth
Junction Heritage Society, has pounded the pavement across Central
Alberta to secure support for his ambitious Forth Junction Regional
Heritage Rail Park project. Countless times he's approached possible
investors, collected artifacts, talked to municipal officials about
acquiring land, and made presentations to anyone who would listen,
including most recently at his society's AGM on Oct. 24 at the
Innisfail Aquatic Centre.
 But with no funding or even a site he's met big disappointment and
heartbreak, especially after being teased with hope but shut down by
the City of Red Deer and Red Deer County.
 But the 72-year-old Pettypiece, a retired regional
coordinator for Junior Achievement, never gives up. He has found new
hope. The next stop for his dream is Innisfail, at the northern edge
of town where his society's vision of a 25-acre heritage rail park
could finally be realized.
"I am actually quite excited with the prospect. There
is a lot of work that has to be done before we can put any shovels
in the ground or anything," he said.
Earlier this year, after Red Deer County effectively
closed the door to a once promising Springbrook site, the society
focused its attention back to Innisfail, specifically a quarter
section site they previously looked at immediately north of
Discovery Wildlife Park and owned by Melcor Developments Ltd.
Pettypiece previously talked to Innisfail town council in 2017 and
2018, and while he received a positive response there were concerns
about the cost of access and servicing.
Nevertheless, at least one council member, Doug Box,
who is also the co-owner of the wildlife park, remains supportive of
Pettypiece's ambition, even though he's well aware of the challenges
he faces.
"It would be great for Innisfail. It would be great for
us but he does have a tough road to haul," said Bos. "When we moved
to Innisfail we had been doing it (zoo) and we had animals. We were
basically relocating rather than taking a fresh idea and starting
from scratch.
"But any or another tourist attraction in Innisfail
would be great," he added.
"It is a way to get people off Highway 2, because no
other community between Edmonton and Calgary has got as many tourist
attractions as we currently do, and adding another major one would
be great."
Bos's support for the initiative is echoed by Anna
Lenters, president of the Innisfail and District Historical Society,
who was the featured speaker at the Oct. 24 AGM for her 10 years of
previous work at Calgary's Heritage Park.
"I support museums. It would be good for the Town of
Innisfail but I have to acknowledge they have major challenges ahead
of them," said Lenters.
"The challenges would be the economy, and the lack of
government funds for anything related to culture.
"The flip side is that this would be very good for
local tourism. When you get more tourism for Innisfail it's good for
everyone," she added.
And most importantly for Pettypiece, Melcor likes it as well, but
only if other pieces fall into place. Gregg Broks, regional manager
for Melcor, confirmed his company is working with the society. He
said Melcor is prepared to do "whatever it takes" to get that
property developed. However, he quickly added the hurdles are "very
high" as the property requires costly infrastructure that could run
into the millions of dollars. That includes a rail spur, a roadway
into the quarter section, and water and sewer lines.
"For us there would have to be an additional paying
user that would come along with the whole Forth Junction proposal,"
he said. "Or as Paul's idea suggests there is a commercial piece in
the middle. Maybe there is somebody out there who believes they can
operate a business, a hotel or a museum, conference centre or
tourist destination, they might be willing to pay. That would change
everything."
For now though Pettypiece can only wait. The economy
remains problematic and potential investors looking for good deals
are understandingly nervous. There is a new provincial government in
place with a mandate to cut spending and be cost conscious.
But Pettypiece has long weathered uncertainty over his
dream project and he is prepared to wait even longer. His mission is
too important.
"We've never given up but we decided right for the very
beginning that we were either going to do it properly or not (at)
all because we didn't want something that was just like another
railway museum," said Pettypiece.
"The vast majority of people have absolutely no
recollection or understanding (of the) impact of the railway in
terms of the development of Central Alberta," he added. "Several
railways, some of which don't exist anymore, like the Alberta
Central Railway, (opened up the region and many) people just don't
have any concept of it."
For more information on the Forth Junction Regional
Heritage Rail Park project go to
www.forthjunction.ca.
Photo: Front page:
DETERMINED DREAMER - Paul Pettypiece, the founder and president of
the Forth Junction Heritage Society, proudly stands at the pioneer
Bowden train station at the Innisfail and District Historical
Village. For more than a decade he's pitched his dream of creating
his ambitious Forth Junction Regional Heritage Rail Park project for
Central Alberta. Following unsuccessful attempts elsewhere he's now
hoping to create his project in Innisfail.
Photo by Noel West, MVP Staff
Photo: Page 2: Anna Lenters, president of the Innisfail and
District Historical Society and Paul Pettypiece at the Innisfail
Historical Village on Nov. 6. Lenters supports Pettypiece's
ambitions despite the many challenges he and his society still face.
Photo by Noel West, MVP Staff
Graphic: An artist rendering of the planned 25-acre heritage
rail park on Melcor property just north of Discovery Wildlife Park.
Courtesy of Forth Junction Heritage
Society
October 19, 2018 News Release
Forth Junction Heritage Society
acquires museum collection
The Forth Junction Heritage Society has recently
been unconditionally gifted by the Junior League of Edmonton most of
the artifact collection from the now-closed Calgary & Edmonton
(1891) Railway Station Museum in south Edmonton.
This collection of over 200 pieces includes 59
transportation items (mostly railway-related including
station-mounted semaphore signal), 13 pieces of furniture (including
4 benches, chairs, wall clock, wood burning stove), 12 pieces of
telegraph equipment, 55 historic photographs, an art print, 8 books,
9 pieces of office equipment, 31 articles of clothing, 14 items of a
domestic nature and 3 large display cases.
The Forth Junction Heritage Society has been awarded a
grant from the City of Red Deer Culture Opportunities Fund in the
amount of $2,950 toward the transportation and storage of this
collection with the understanding that a suitable facility in the
immediate Red Deer area will be found or constructed to exhibit and
interpret the collection within the next several months. The
collection has been transferred to a storage facility in the
immediate Red Deer area.
Paul Pettypiece, president of the Society, states that
"the artifacts and materials in the Calgary & Edmonton (1891)
Station Museum Collection were originally acquired by the Junior
League of Edmonton to display and preserve in its 1981 replication
of the original Calgary & Edmonton combination station that stood in
several communities between the two cities including Strathcona, Red
Deer, Innisfail, Olds, Lacombe, Wetaskiwin, Airdrie, Carstairs and
Leduc. None of those stations have survived."
Pettypiece continued, "The Collection is illustrative
of significant events, techniques, personalities and surroundings in
the history of the Calgary & Edmonton Railway station, the railway
and the telegraph, concentrating on the period of 1891 to 1907. The
Society intends to expand the research and interpretation of the C &
E Railway as well as to replicate at least one version of the
original station"
The Society is in the preliminary stages of negotiating
with Red Deer County to either partner with to mutually develop or
lease a 60-acre parcel at Springbrook to create a regional
multi-use, family-oriented, year-round community heritage rail park
that would eventually become a significant tourist attraction.
This proposed park is envisioned to eventually include
several interpretive centres, gardens & natural areas, walking
trails and interpretive trailhead, themed playgrounds, train viewing
platform, a cafe, a railway station resort with up to 22 replicated
stations that once existed in Central Alberta, a transit
interpretive centre with regional bus tours, a miniature-world-style
historic model railway pavilion, a children's activity pavilion, a
roundhouse conference centre, market and boutiques, full size
railway equipment exhibits, miniature and possibly full-size train
rides, elevated restaurant, campground, a cultural & event zone and
family activity zone.
Pettypiece stated that "the Forth Junction Heritage
Society's mission is to preserve, promote and share the
transportation heritage of the Red Deer community and region and to
pass that heritage to future generations in a sustainable and
interactive way through education, advocacy and nurturing a passion
for the continuous evolution of trails, rail and transit. Its vision
is to advance Red Deer and Central Alberta as a world class
transportation-themed heritage destination with its focus on
celebrating the region's past, present and future of trails, trains
and transit."
The Forth Junction Heritage Society is holding its
Annual General Meeting on Thursday, October 25 at 7:30 at abc
Restaurant, Red Deer. Interested people are welcome to attend. More
information can be found at their website
www.ForthJunction.ca.
June 29, 2017, Red Deer Advocate (Paul Cowley)
Canada 150
Railway had significant impact on city
"Late events have shown us that we are made one
people by that road, that that iron link has bound us together in
such a way that we stand superior to most of the shafts of
ill-fortune." - Sir John A. Macdonald, Speech in June 1885,
referring to the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Canada's first prime minister
waxed eloquently about the importance of the railways to Canada.
At a community level, rail's impact on Red Deer was almost as
significant.
It seems obvious now that Red Deer would become Central Alberta's
premiere community.
However, more than a century ago, it wasn't so clear.
Paul Pettypiece, president of the Forth Junction Heritage Society,
agrees railway's role in Red Deer's emergence is not to be
under-estimated.
"It's debatable, of course, but you could say Red Deer wouldn't
even exist, certainly not as a major distribution centre, without
the railway," said Pettypiece.
The city's current location is a result of the railway. When Rev.
Leonard Gaetz gave CPR half interest in 600 acres of land for rail
lines and a townsite, an area further west that had been shaping up
into a community was abandoned by its settlers.
Pettypiece said Innisfail, Lacombe and Red Deer had almost the same
populations in the early 1900s.
"In fact, Lacombe was bigger than Red Deer at one point."
But a key decision changed the future of all three communities.
"In the early 1900s, when Red Deer became a divisional point for
the CPR, again there was a boom. Red Deer was basically a railway
town at that point, and it evolved from there."
A number of branch lines would follow, adding to the community's
importance.
Red Deer Archivist Michael Dawe agrees CPR's decision became a
turning point.
Being a divisional point meant more train crews, repair and
servicing shops and other railway-related offshoots were located in
Red Deer.
"CPR (Canadian Pacific Railway) was a big employer in Red Deer and
it really made a big difference. That gave Red Deer the advantage.
"Railroads were jobs and you couldn't develop very much without a
railroad because of transportation challenges.
"Also, if you produced anything, like grain or minerals, you needed
the railroad to ship it.
"Railroads brought jobs, they brought communication links with
telegraph, they brought distribution for bulk. If you wanted to ship
in or ship anything heavy, you needed the railroad."
For local grain farmers, the railroad was critical in getting their
product to market.
"So the railroad was huge," he says.
Red Deer ultimately became the railroad centre for the region for
two main reasons, Dawe says.
Geographically, Red Deer was almost exactly in the middle between
the big rail centres of Edmonton and Calgary.
But the other advantage was access to water.
"In the days of steam, trains needed reliable, year-round supplies
of water and the Red Deer River gives that.
"The Red Deer River doesn't freeze to the bottom in the wintertime
so you could always get water in sizable quantities.
"Other places are more reliant on wells or a shallow lake or
something."
"You need lots and lots and lots of water and Red Deer had that."
Other railways, which would later become part of Canadian National
Railway, also had a presence in the area, running lines out to Rocky
Mountain House and the coalfields of Nordegg.
The rail link between Calgary and Edmonton had always been vital to
the province.
"A phenomenal amount of goods and services move back and forward
between the two metropolitan areas. They did 100 years ago, they do
today."
With easy rail journeys between the two large centres, Red Deer
emerged as a useful halfway point for meetings and conventions, a
role it still plays today.
Dec. 24, 2016, Red Deer Advocate (Paul
Cowley) & Jan. 5, 2017, Central Alberta Life
Forth Junction
Railway museum project eyes
private collection
 A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has given a boost to a
local group's dream of a building a Central Alberta transportation
park.
Forth Junction Heritage Society has been working behind the scenes
since 2009 to get a project rolling for an interpretive heritage,
facility activity, and nature park, to be built around a rail, trail
and transit theme.
Then they got word that Saskatchewan railway collector Gary
Southgate was looking for a centrally located showcase and
restoration area for his nearly three dozen pieces of railway
heritage, including steam and diesel engines, passenger and baggage
cars, and a caboose. He even has a station sitting on blocks waiting
for the right home.
"For any kind of railway museum starting off with that kind of
collection is very, very unusual," says Forth Junction president
Paul Pettypiece.
Southgate has not committed his collection yet, but he is interested
in the local society's plans and is coming to Central Alberta early
next year to check out proposed sites.
Pettypiece said the society has been working with the City of Red
Deer to nail down a 40-acre site close to the CP and CN rail lines.
A location at the north edge of Red Deer is being seriously
considered for what is being called a Transpo Park.
For the city, the attraction represents a significant economic
development opportunity. The same pitch is being made to the
province, which would hopefully provide some financial support.
To get the project really rolling, a feasibility study is needed.
The province has been approached to provide funding help for the
study, likely to cost around $80,000.
Project supporters believe the timing is right despite the
province's economic struggles. Premier Rachel Notley wants to
improve the province's economic diversity, and new tourism
attractions fit that bill.
Pettypiece said the idea is to create a unique attraction.
"For us, we don't want to be just a railway museum. There's plenty
of those around.
"We want to be something that's much, much bigger and would draw
people from across Canada. So we're thinking fairly big.
"We might have to start off somewhat small, but ultimately we're
looking at a world-class destination."
It is meant to be a year-round, family-oriented facility with a
variety of outdoor and indoor displays, children's theme park,
natural and picnic areas, restaurant, shops, railway station, space
for conferences and events, and a railway heritage centre, and model
railway museum.
A large site is needed to build a railway loop to offer rides.
The goal is to create an iconic structure to draw attention. A
railway roundhouse and grain elevator mashup of sorts is one idea.
Photo: Paul Pettypiece is working with
the Forth Junction Heritage Society in an effort to build a
Central Alberta transportation park. Pettypiece is pictured
with the CP Rail caboose in Penhold.
Photo by
Jeff Stokoe, Red Deer Advocate
Dec. 3, 2013, Innisfail Province (Sylvia Cole), online edition Nov. 19, 2013
World-class destination centre
still in the works
 Penhold's Paul Pettypiece says dream of the Forth Junction Project
is an issue of timing
Although on a bit of a hiatus, the Forth Junction Project is still a
go, says Penhold's Paul Pettypiece.
"The dream isn't lost, it's just a matter of timing," said
Pettypiece, president of the Forth Junction Heritage Society during
an interview last week.
The society has big plans to create a world-class destination in
Central Alberta that would preserve and share the transportation
heritage of the region.
The planned Transpo Centre is a multi-phase project to be completed
over 25 years and would include an indoor amusement and family
activity park, a retro bus depot and transit museum, a conference
hall, observation tower and restaurant as well as a railway station
heritage resort.
Originally plans were to create the heritage resort in the county,
and the remaining amusements in the Riverlands district of Red Deer.
But since learning the city had other plans for that area, the
society has combined the two ideas and are looking to build it
somewhere in the county.
At least 12 Red Deer County locations where the 40-acre project
could be completed have been identified. The hope is to have it
within 20 kilometres of the city, which is the main transportation
hub, an integral part of the area's history.
"When Red Deer was chosen as the distribution point it was no bigger
than Innisfail," said Pettypiece, explaining how that key decision
played a role in making Red Deer a city.
"Innisfail could have been the main distribution centre."
Pettypiece said there hasn't been much movement on finding land or
collecting dollars because of a couple of roadblocks.
"With the (municipal) election we also wanted things to settle a bit
first and the economic situation hasn't been right," he said of
getting both political and financial support. He also said his work
has become busier, meaning the time to spend on this project has
been set aside.
The group, currently made up of 15 active members, is "satisfied to
put it on hold and pursue it at another time."
Pettypiece hopes a year from now they can pursue their dream more
strongly. He said it's important to preserve and share the history
of transportation in the region because of the impact it had on
shaping the communities.
"Red Deer was the hub of railway activity and transit," said
Pettypiece.
"Other communities that were thriving were doing so because of the
railway," he said using Innisfail and Olds as examples.
"You can go one step further and say the railroads helped with the
development of Western Canada generally," he said.
In the meantime, the society still meets regularly and will hold its
annual general meeting tomorrow night where Pettypiece will present
the PowerPoint, "Railways as Parents of a City."
The group has been busy assisting other societies with projects such
as the Central Alberta Historical Society's Arches project that was
unveiled in October and features interpretive plaques that celebrate
the influence of transportation and railway on the development of
the city.
"In all likelihood it wouldn't have become a city," he said.
In addition, the group is also friends with the Central Alberta
Regional Trail Society as advocates for using abandoned rail lines
as trails.
"We've been continuing with collecting historical information and
have worked on creating an online Facebook presence."
To learn more about the group and its activities, its Facebook pages
include the Forth Junction Project, the Forth Junction Heritage
Society and Friends of the Mintlaw Trestle.
Photo: Paul Pettypiece said there hasn't been recent movement with
the Forth Junction Project due to the recent municipal
election and the current economic climate.
Photo by Johnnie Bachusky, Innisfail Province
Jan. 12, 2012,
Innisfail Province (Johnnie Bachusky) & Jan. 19, 2012, Olds Albertan
Our View (Editorial)
Praise today's big dream
Railway concept captures region's uniqueness
It would be easy to dismiss the ambitions of Paul Pettypiece's Forth
Junction Heritage Society project for central Alberta as over the
top and unachievable.
Certainly, the scope of the plan is enormous. If realized it would
cover an area of at least 40 acres, with one part being a Western
Canada Transpo Centre that will include a "grand" central gathering
place, a multi-level retail centre, heritage plaza and a historical
model rail museum.
The second component would be the Railway S//////////tation an/d Transit
Heritage Resort. This would include a Railway Station Village, a
replica of the Jubilee 3001 "Chinook" steam locomotive, Retro Bus
Depot, and observation tower.
This is a lofty dream, one that could require hundreds of millions
of dollars to be realized. But Pettypiece is a realist and does not
envision it to be anywhere near completed for at least 25 years.
Most people at this point in time are not prepared to give
Pettypiece more than lip service, noting current economic conditions
do not warrant such ambitions and the price tag it would entail.
That is understandable but what Pettypiece does have in his favour
now is an idea for central Alberta that is completely original when
one considers the types of tourism mega projects that already exist
in the province and the rest of the country.
As well, Pettypiece can also benefit from the fact the City of Red
Deer did not move on his idea for the Riverlands district, a
downtown area that is as perfect as one could imagine for a mega
project to put the city and the region on the map provincially and
nationally as a world-class tourism destination point.
Where the dreams of a San Antonio-style Riverwalk for the Riverlands
died in part because it was felt by a few (influential as they were)
that copy-cat Texas-style development had nothing to do with the
region's heritage, Pettypiece's Forth Junction idea of creating a
railway and ground transportation theme is groundbreaking and a near
perfect fit to reflect the region's culture and history.
However, what Pettypiece's main battle could be is the ingrained
notion with many central Alberta residents, as proven during the
past Riverlands debate, that the region ought not to think too big,
that dreams are only for dreamers and not to be mixed with good old
fashioned conservative pragmatism.
Thankfully, Pettypiece's Forth Junction Heritage Society is patient,
and slowly but surely growing. The society has now secured a letter
of support from Tourism Red Deer and is awaiting another one from
Red Deer County, where nine potential sites for the project are
being considered.
As well, the society is quietly laying the groundwork for future
support by consulting with regional heritage groups in communities
along the CPR main line, notably Innisfail and Didsbury.
Last fall, the society visited the Innisfail Historical Village,
which is now an official member of Pettypiece's group.
The historical village has a strong railway component to its own
operations and officials there see plenty of potential symmetry with
Forth Junction's future ambitions.
"I think it is tremendous," said Village curator Dean Jorden. "He
(Pettypiece) sees tying the Village in so you could plan a visit to
the main centre. This would increase our daily traffic flow and
attendance. It would do nothing but absolute good for us."
Pettypiece also wants the same linkage with Didsbury's heritage
people, considering that town's devotion to heritage, notably
through its restored train station and programs offered there. And
once Olds resolves its issues with its local museum (space and
funding) there may be more opportunities there as well for
additional regional support.
In the meantime, Pettypiece and the society must move only one step
at a time, dodging the naysayers, which there will always be many.
But big dreamers are good at rolling with punches. Once convinced
there mission is true, their spirit is unbreakable.
Dec. 27, 2011, Mountain View Gazette (2-page
article by Johnnie Bachusky)
Railway dream shifts to county
Forth Junction targets county
Heritage
society envisions rural locale to showcase past and future glories
of railway and ground transportation
Impatient with the City of Red Deer's timelines to redevelop its
Riverlands District, the Forth Junction Heritage Society is now
targeting up to nine sites in Red Deer County for the main location
of its ambitious dream to transform the region into a world-class
heritage tourism destination point.
The plan now is to secure a site of at least 40 acres within 20
kilometres of the City of Red Deer and the CPR main line, the latter
being essential to the railway and ground transportation themes of
its proposed tourism park.
The park concept includes two components - the first being a Western
Canada Transpo Centre with a "grand" central gathering place, a
multi-level retail centre, a tower and restaurant up to 10 storeys
high, amusement park, heritage plaza and a historical model rail
museum.
The second part of the concept is a Railway Station and Transit
Heritage Resort, which could include a Railway Station Village, a
replica of the Jubilee 3001 "Chinook" steam locomotive, Retro Bus
Depot, nature park and observation tower. The goal behind the
Railway Station Village is to have full-scale replicas of pioneer
stations representing 25 Central Alberta communities.
The initial plan was for the Transpo Centre to be located in Red
Deer's downtown area Riverlands District while the resort would be
in the county.
"Now that the Riverlands is not available we're thinking of
combining the two," said society founder Paul Pettypiece.
"We have semi-abandoned the (Riverlands) idea," added Pettypiece,
noting the city's immediate priorities with the Riverlands District
are infrastructure redevelopment and planning. "The city was not
willing to commit themselves to anything for seven years."
Having the entire project close to the railway in the county would
enable the society and its project to establish marketing links with
rural communities along Central Alberta's railway corridor,
especially those with ongoing railway heritage tourism amenities,
including Innisfail with its historical village and Didsbury with
its preserved pioneer train station and model railway club.
"We haven't contacted all the people (landowners) yet," said
Pettypiece of the new nine proposed sites in the county. He said the
preferred sites are near Penhold and Springbrook. "None are
specific. We are still in the preliminary stages. I don't want to
get specific until I get more of a relationship with the county."
Pettypiece admits his group's dream of seeing the project at full
build-out is at least 20 to 25 years away. However, he said it is
possible that within three years a site can finally be secured
featuring at least a few attractions.
But first the society, now composed of about 30 members, is focusing
on getting letters of support from both the city and the county to
secure a $40,000 provincial grant to conduct a feasibility study.
The society has already received a letter of support from Tourism
Red Deer.
Pettypiece said he has talked to some county officials but they were
waiting for a letter, which was delivered Dec. 19.
"Everybody I talk to really likes the idea and concept and hope we
proceed, but nobody is willing to commit funds," said Pettypiece,
adding his group has had preliminary discussions with some
corporations and Canadian Pacific. "They liked the idea but they are
not committing until it is certain it is going ahead."
Meanwhile, Tyler Harke, the county's economic development
coordinator, said he has had preliminary discussions with Pettypiece
but it would be premature to comment on the project without having
received something in writing from the society.
"It is nice to see some people come forward with new ideas," said
Harke. "The process would be for the group to come up with something
in writing and it would be presented to council."
In the meantime, the society has been granted charitable status by
the Canada Revenue Agency. This permits the society to issue
tax-deductible receipts. However, the society is limited to
activities that educate and preserve the evolution of trails, trains
and transit in Central Alberta. As well, Forth Junction has plans to
establish itself as a not-for-profit corporation.
For more information on Forth Junction visit its website at
www.forthjunction.ca
Photo: Pettypiece says a letter has been delivered to Red Deer
County asking for its support to obtain funding from the
provincial government to conduct a feasibility study.
Photo by
Johnnie Bachusky,
Mountain View Gazette
Forth Junction potential
sites. Map supplied.
Dec. 2,
2011, Red Deer Advocate (Paul Cowley)
Forth Junction pulling toward
a new station
A Central Alberta group of railroad and transit buffs are keeping
the wheels turning on their dream project of creating a
transportation-themed tourist attraction.
For the Forth Junction Heritage Society, that has meant switching
gears and dropping a proposal to locate a major attraction combining
historical interpretation, dining, retail, amusement park and
entertainment in Red Deer's Riverlands area.
Society president Paul Pettypiece said the City of Red Deer was
reluctant to endorse that proposal because a vision for Riverlands
has not been decided on. Rather than wait years for a show of
support that might not come, the society will focus its attention on
a site outside the city.
A rural site has always been a part of the society's vision. An
attraction featuring replicas of regional railway stations for
overnight lodging, a railway park, lookout tower, interpretive
centre, heritage transit vehicle display depot and miniature steam
railway has been proposed for a yet-identified site. A functioning
1/8-scale replica of the Jubilee 3001 The Chinook steam locomotive
that ran between Edmonton and Calgary would also be a crowd pleaser
in the Red Deer County theme park.
"Now, we're thinking we might combine the two into one facility," he
said.
However, there's a limited number of places with good visibility
that would be suitable for a tourism entertainment site, he said.
"So we're looking at our options in terms of a location."
A suitable site would need at least 40 acres within 20 km of the
city and good road connections.
Meanwhile, the 30-strong society has been busy doing the basic
legwork to keep the project moving ahead.
The group recently lined up charitable status, which allows the
group to issue tax-deductible receipts to donors contributing to
efforts to provide education and preservation initiatives connected
with the evolution of trails, trains and transit in Central Alberta.
A not-for-profit corporation will be established next year to
champion parts of the project that don't fit the charitable
designation, such as retail outlets, theme parks and other
semi-commercial attractions.
Background work has also been done to back up a grant application to
Tourism Alberta to undertake a $40,000 feasibility management
destination study.
"That really needs to be done before we can do much of anything
else," he said.
Red Deer County and City of Red Deer have been approached to ask for
their support and presentations may be made later to councils in
each municipality.
Pettypiece is encouraged by the support the group has received from
those who have seen their plans. Their vision was on display at the
recent Red Deer Model Train and Hobby Show at Westerner Park and was
well received by show goers.
"Most people we've talked to are very excited about it and would
like to see it proceed."
Dec. 2010, We Mean Business (quarterly
publication of Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, Rob Gilgan)
Volunteer profile
A volunteer on the right track
 The signature on an email from Paul Pettypiece reads: 'Sustainable
future, respectful past'. Far from an empty slogan, it's a snapshot
of how the Chamber volunteer manages his life. When the Chamber
developed policy committees in 2006, Paul was a member of two of
them: Transportation, and Civic Affairs, which he also chaired.
While the focus of the transportation policy committee was broad and
included highway, rail and air, the high speed rail discussion was
among the most memorable. "I helped draft the high speed rail policy
three years ago that went to the Alberta Chamber conference which
was unfortunately defeated. I have recently helped develop a new
policy to go to the Board for approval soon, as part of my
contribution to the new Housing and Infrastructure Policy
Committee," he said.
He was also on the Civic Affairs committee during interesting times,
when the City and County seemed to be at loggerheads on every issue.
"By the time the committee was formed, the City and County were
starting to talk," he explained. He's watched the two bodies work
hard together in the community's interest. The committee involvement
also led him downtown in the early days of the development of the
Greater Downtown Action Plan. Currently, Paul's volunteer energies
are directed toward Forth Junction, a proposed project to develop a
multi-use community, heritage, retail and entertainment centre in
Riverlands, part of Red Deer's revitalized downtown.
For Paul, Forth Junction is the culmination of a life-long interest
in the railway and he's working to ensure the rail heritage that was
so vital to Central Alberta's success isn't overlooked and
forgotten. The name comes from the junction, situated south of 32nd
Street, that connected traffic from the CPR and Alberta Central
Railway, feeding a line that ran west to Rocky Mountain House. He
hopes the Riverlands development would include 2 or 3 heritage
centres, a shopping centre, elevated restaurant, a gathering centre
and theme park, connected to a hotel and convention centre,
eventually. "It needs to be an indoor facility, run year-round and
be self-supporting," he says.
The project is a major undertaking, threading together all of the
resources in Central Alberta and beyond that currently care for the
railway heritage. Paul feels it's a perfect fit as he transitions
into semi-retirement. He also continues to be involved in Junior
Achievement and the Central Alberta Regional Trails Society, as well
as serving his community on the Springbrook Community Association.
Paul operates Central Alberta Websites, a website publishing and
development firm that also hosts reddeerregion.com and
springbrookwaskasoo.com.
Photo:
Paul Pettypiece is a Chamber volunteer who is working hard
to ensure Central Alberta's railway heritage becomes an
important part of Riverlands.
Photo by Rob
Gilgan, Red Deer Chamber of Commerce
Oct.
28, 2010,
Red Deer Advocate (Laura Tester)
Forth Junction
Tourism board supports rail project
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 theme.
Kuz said the board was impressed with what they heard and as a
result, the project is being supported in principle. A letter of
support will be crafted and given to Pettypiece within a week.
"In general, they were very supportive of his presentation and the
hard work that was put into the proposal," said Kuz on Wednesday.
"Whatever goes into Riverlands, we'll do what we can to market it to
residents and to visitors."
The heritage society wants to see shops, a children's theme park,
observation tower restaurant and ground transportation museum within
Riverlands, west of Taylor Drive and south of the Taylor Bridge. A
second main attraction will occur in an unidentified location within
Red Deer County. It would include replicas of several regional
railway stations for overnight lodging, a railway park, and a
lookout tower.
Being in the initial stages, the society's plans haven't received
formal endorsements by the city and county.
Kuz added he anticipates Tourism Red Deer's first study on tourism's
economic impact will be done by the end of 2010.
Tourism Red Deer hired Atif Kubursi, an economic professor at
Hamilton's McMaster University, to do the $30,000 study funded
through the City of Red Deer.
"We want to find out the overall value of what the tourism industry
is," said Kuz.
Some of the questions that will be answered include the number of
full-time jobs directly related to tourism within the city and
surrounding area.
The study's results will help Tourism Red Deer to craft detailed
marketing plans, Kuz said.
Oct.
27, 2010,
Red Deer Advocate (Laura Tester)
Forth Junction
rail project
seeking
charitable status
A Central Alberta
group eager to make Red Deer's railroad history into a tourist
attraction is in the final stages of applying for charitable status.
Forth Junction Heritage Society president Paul Pettypiece said he
hopes to have the application filed this week with Revenue Canada.
The society wants to become a registered charity so it can begin
fundraising for the project that's expected to take millions of
dollars in donations and government grants.
Pettypiece said the society has been increasing its public awareness
this fall so that more Central Albertans know about the project.
Last weekend, Pettypiece and several others were kept busy chatting
with visitors at the Red Deer Model Train and Model Show at
Westerner Park.
The society has several projects in mind.
One attraction would include shops, a children's theme park,
observation tower restaurant and ground transportation museum in the
heart of Riverlands, west of Taylor Drive.
Pettypiece said the society will apply for $40,000 through Alberta
Tourism so it can conduct a destination study on whether this
Riverlands attraction could work.
The society has also met with top brass at Tourism Red Deer to gauge
its interest.
A second main attraction will occur in an unidentified location
within Red Deer County. It would include replicas of several
regional railway stations for overnight lodging, a railway park and
a lookout tower.
Originally, the society was looking to build a real-life size
replica of The Chinook, a passenger train that ran from the 1930s to
the 1950s between Calgary and Edmonton. It may go on the county
parcel or next to the old Canadian Pacific Railway station near 51st
Avenue.
Pettypiece said the version has been scaled back to one-eighth the
size of the original due to cost. Now estimated at $275,000 versus
around $1 million or more. It will be able to function like a real
one where people will be able to ride in railway cars hitched
behind.
Forth Junction held its annual general meeting on Tuesday, featuring
Red Deer historian Michael Dawe as a guest speaker.
Red Deer's rail history is very important to the city, he said.
In the early 20th century, Canadian Pacific Railway made Red Deer a
divisional centre, helping to make Red Deer a much larger community
than others around it, including Blackfalds and Innisfail. The
railway was the biggest employer for years, Dawe said.
July 31, 2010,
Red Deer Advocate (Laura Tester)
Forth Junction
Rail tourist attraction idea
gets rolling
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 will increase public awareness by meeting
with various groups including Tourism Red Deer. The society will
also have a booth at a model railroad show at Westerner Park. A
major membership drive will be launched.
Pettypiece said the society is also seeking charitable status so it
can begin fundraising.
Also in the works is a feasibility study, which Pettypiece said will
be needed before any fundraising takes place.
"We want to make sure we're ready when the City (of Red Deer) and
(Red Deer County) is ready," said Pettypiece. "But the timing isn't
ready with so many factors, including the economy. But I am
confident it will happen."
Forth Junction proponents would like to see several projects centred
on the history of the railway history.
One attraction, dubbed The Crossing, would include shops, a
children's theme park and ground transportation museum in the heart
of Riverlands, west of Taylor Drive, and the Railyards district,
west of Gaetz Avenue and north of Ross Street. It would also feature
Canada's largest historical model railway museum, which would look
at the history of how the city and region looked from the late 1890s
to the mid 1980s, as well as a glimpse into the future.
Visitor accommodations modelled after historic rail stations, plus a
family and nature park, would be found at The Junction on a piece of
yet-to-be-identified land in Red Deer County.
Forth Junction also hopes to build a replica of The Chinook -- a
passenger train that ran from the 1930s to the 1950s between Calgary
and Edmonton. It may go on the county parcel or next to the old
Canadian Pacific Railway station near 51st Avenue.
The society has a website, forthjunction.com.
Pettypiece hopes to have a more concrete plan, as well as actual
locations, in the next couple of years. "We want to get the support
of the city and the county," Pettypiece said. "Both have to have
planning in place before any land can be procured."
The society has about 15 members, including historian Michael Dawe,
Steve Parkin, transportation enthusiast and the owner of a historic
full-size transit bus, and railway buff Darcy Colenutt.
June 14, 2010,
Red Deer Advocate (Paul Cowley) & June 17, 2010, Central Alberta
Life
Railway
heritage
Lots of train
history here in Central Alberta, say enthusiasts
 Like many who have set down roots in Red Deer, the area's natural
beauty was a major draw for Paul Pettypiece.
But there was something else that caught his eye when he moved to
the city in 1973 from Manitoba, after discovering he hated (the
traffic congestion of) his
intended destination of Calgary.
"I was really fascinated by the railway heritage," he said. "It's
always been somewhat of an interest, but it really peaked when I
came here."
For train enthusiasts, Red Deer offers a gold mine of relatively
obscure rail history. No fewer than four railroads have served the
area over the last century.
Remnants of that history are scattered about. The old rail bridge
over the river near Riverside Meadows, the bridge abutment next to
Taylor Drive for the long-defunct Alberta Central Railway, and a
97-year-old Mintlaw trestle for the same railway company over the
Red Deer River in the county. Of course, the most visible reminder
of the city's past rail glory is the well-preserved train station
that still sits at the head of Ross Street, now converted into
office space.
"They're kind of disconnected and people don't really understand how
they are connected," he said.
When the city began taking a serious look at the potential for the
downtown area a few years ago, Pettypiece and others with an
interest in rail and transportation history saw an opportunity to
present their own vision.
A proposal was submitted that has since been refined into a more
elaborate and ambitious project billed as the Forth Junction
Project.
At the heart of the project would be The Crossing, which is
envisioned as "Canada's only trail-rail-transit family
entertainment-retail-heritage tourist and community attraction." It
would feature indoor gathering area, perhaps echoing a roundhouse
theme, retail, indoor theme park, ground transportation heritage
centre, and an observation restaurant modelled on the Prairies'
once-ubiquitous grain elevators.
Initial plans propose centres showcasing wagon, rail and transit
heritage and a space devoted to the future of transportation, which
could feature an example of high-speed rail technology. A model
railway display would also be a prime attraction, said Pettypiece,
who is an avid model railway fan with 40 locomotives and 500 cars in
his N-scale collection.
A replica could also be created of the Jubilee 3001 "The Chinook"
engine that sped between Edmonton and Calgary and was one of the
fastest engines of its day. Only five were built and none survived.
Pettypiece said the Forth Junction Heritage Society wants to make a
mark with the project. "We want it to be a landmark building that
says Red Deer and is widely recognized as a Red Deer icon."
The group is looking beyond Red Deer however. A heritage railway
station, overnight accommodation village and family nature park,
with a miniature steam train and examples of historic rail stations,
is proposed for Red Deer County just outside the city.
Long-term, shuttle links could be established to tie in the two
areas and perhaps provide connections to other historical rail
attractions such as the Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions out of
Stettler.
The society sees it all as a long-term project that could take 20
years to unfold. "It will happen in stages. We'd like to see
something on the ground within five years."
In the meantime, Pettypiece and other members of the society,
including local historian Michael Dawe, Steve Parkin, transportation
enthusiast and the owner of a historic full-sized transit bus, and
railway buff Darcy Colenutt, plan to stoke interest in the project.
For information go to
www.forthjunction.com
Photo:
Paul Pettypiece: fascinated by trains
Photo by
Jerry Gerling, Red Deer Advocate
Feb.
24, 2010, Red Deer Express (Johnnie Bachusky)
Our Opinion (Editorial)
New idea for Riverlands worth
an Olympic cheer
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 tourism destination point.
But after a less than thorough process, the City opted for a
Vancouver-imported plan that was less ambitious on the tourism
generating scale and more directed towards a glitzy revitalization
project for a new Red Deer community.
The latter proposal, while credible, was without any theme that was
either historically, culturally or geographically relevant, or even
remotely interesting, for the city or anyone visiting.
Now comes an idea from the Forth Junction Heritage Society, which is
pitching a concept it believes would be a world-class tourism
attractor. And it is certainly interesting, and relevant. The idea
is based on a ground transportation theme, particularly the railway
and its past and future role in the region. The concept envisions
using the Riverlands as its base in the city while stretching into
Red Deer County where the municipality is embracing open spaces,
trails, and heritage, with the latter underscored by its recent
acquisition of the historic Mintlaw trestle railway bridge.
Like the past proponents of the canal idea for the Riverlands,
society members are urging the public to think bold and big. They
note, even in spite of the recession, the timing is just right to
aim for the stars, particularly with Red Deer's 100th anniversary
just three years away in 2013.
What should appeal to the many naysayers of the past canal idea is
that the society has moved slowly and methodically with its
ambitions, and has come up with a plan that is original and
relevant, not transplanted from Texas or Canada's west coast.
The society was formed 10 months ago from a group of local
transportation historians and model railroaders. There is now a
board, society bylaws, business plan, non-profit charity status and
a web site. With Paul Pettypiece as president, the society also has
credibility.
The early and cautious word from City Hall is that the idea is an
interesting one and worth exploring.
While everything at this point is just preliminary, Pettypiece and
his people have certainly done their homework, far more so than the
well-intentioned proponents of the early canal idea.
And while any refined and final approved concept is still a long
ways off it is encouraging to know that dreams of glory, thinking
grand and big, are flourishing in this community. Like any great
Olympic performance, that is worth celebrating.
Feb. 8, 2010, Red Deer Advocate (Greg
Neiman)
Our View (Editorial)
One-time
opportunity
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
downtown area.
Now, if I had to make a choice between living in a city with a
waterpark extending several kilometres through our city core,
surrounded by greenery, shops, restaurants and festival sites, or a
transportation-themed museum surrounded by greenery, shops,
restaurants and festival sites, I still like the canals.
But that's just me. The majority definitely rules here, and I
realize I'm more likely to be tossed into a canal than to canoe
along one in Red Deer.
However, quite early after the public defeat of the canals option
has come another, with different options and appeals, and it's worth
spending time thinking about the possibilities.
Of all cities, Red Deer is in a unique position. We have a major
land redevelopment opportunity on some rather pretty waterfront,
that happens to be physically connected to the economic and cultural
heart of the city.
We have recent planning agreements with our two neighbouring
counties to preserve our joint riverlands corridor as a connected
and protected greenway stretching many kilometres both upstream and
downstream of the city. We are at the south end of a major public
trails initiative that will quite soon traverse many kilometres of
rather pretty countryside and farmland, all the way to Ponoka.
Given the size of these tourism assets, and their natural connection
to our downtown, we'd be fools not to think big, when we think about
Riverlands.
Our opportunity to remake and re-think our very self-identity as a
city makes Red Deer the envy of virtually all others. We've been
talking about downtown redevelopment for more than 25 years now and
pretty well all we've been able to produce are award-winning plans.
Well, that's as much -- and probably more -- than most Canadian
centres have accomplished. It is extremely hard to do this work.
But history has afforded Red Deer a chance to redevelop a very large
parcel of riverfront land that connects to downtown, which is
something no other city has at this stage. There just isn't any more
new space to develop in city heartlands -- especially in a
reasonably natural setting.
So we can't let this opportunity pass. We need to make this
redevelopment into something the whole world can look at and not
say: "What the heck were they thinking?" but rather: "Gee, I wish we
had the chance to do something like that."
It became clear fairly soon that a canals option wasn't what we had
in mind.
Might it be a model railway museum and transportation theme park?
Don't say no right away, just because it's novel or unusual, or
might cost you some money up front.
If links can include a future Riverlands greenway, as well as other
attractions outside the city limits, there are huge possibilities in
this.
We want something to showcase our city and our new downtown area for
visitors, but we also want something that enhances our lives here
every day.
Believe it or not, our downtown is still the major economic engine
of the city. It is a high-density employment zone, and it is
becoming increasingly attractive as a high-density residential zone.
A huge portion of Red Deer residents live within a 20-minute walk of
the downtown.
So we owe it to ourselves to think long into the future when we
think about Riverlands, Alexander Way and the whole downtown area.
This opportunity will never come again.
Feb. 5, 2010, Red Deer Advocate online
blog (Leo Pare) & print edition Feb. 10, 2010
Commentary:
Happy to hear more talk on
large scale attractions
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 -- but let's be realistic.
Nobody is packing up the family and travelling 500 kilometres to
visit the Red Deer Museum or the Lion's Campground.
I thought the canals idea has serious potential for our community,
but with a nation-wide recession looming, people weren't keen on
millions of tax dollars being invested into such a frivolous
project.
The crushing of the canals idea left us with the impression there
was little appetite for grandiose tourism schemes in Red Deer, so I
was a bit surprised to see this story on the front page of
Thursday's Advocate: 'World-class attraction proposed for Riverlands'.
It seems a group of forward-thinking folks have been carefully
crafting a new idea that would, in theory, turn Red Deer into a
major tourist destination. Their extravagant proposal includes
children's theme park, a ground transportation museum in the heart
of Riverlands, visitor accommodations modelled after historic rail
stations and a nature park.
Forth Junction Heritage Society president Paul Pettypiece told the
Advocate the "very bold and ambitious" concept will take about 20
years to fully develop, a lot of work and millions of dollars to
realize.
It's nice to see somebody taking tourism seriously in Central
Alberta.
Undoubtedly, the opponents to this new idea are already forming
their protests in acrimonious letters to the local newspapers and
politicians.
Well naysayers, it comes down to the old mantra of 'you gotta spend
money to make money.' When it comes to investing in tourism, go big
or go home.
As residents of my hometown of Chauvin can attest, being home to the
old spherical septic tank they converted to be the World's Largest
Softball hasn't generated much tourism over the past 25 years. And I
doubt many folks are pulling out the motorhome for a weekend at the
giant Glendon Perogy or St. Paul's UFO landing pad.
Establishing ourselves as a must-visit location means thinking on a
grand scale and investing millions of dollars.
If Red Deer is serious about becoming a tourism destination, then we
need to get serious about providing visitors with attractions worth
travelling for.
Feb. 5, 2010, Red Deer Advocate (Paul
Cowley)
Tourism
proposal facing obstacles
Transportation
theme park must capture attention of public
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 Heritage Society has been
quietly crafting a blueprint to make Red Deer a tourist destination
by building a transportation museum, shops, children's theme park
and Canada's largest historical model railway museum in Riverlands,
and other rail-themed attractions and accommodations in Red Deer
County.
Vital to the success of any effort to create a draw is developing
something that is unique with a "wow" factor. Mandrusiak said it has
to be the kind of attraction that a visitor to Alberta would put on
their must-visit list. "It would definitely have that kind of sizzle
to it."
The success of any attempt to lure visitors will involve creating a
place where people want to congregate, where there is a lot going
on, and the focus is not just a single attraction. Boosters of the
River Walk canal feature saw it as a catalyst that would inspire
restauranteurs, merchants and others.
Mandrusiak, who hasn't seen the heritage society's concepts, said if
something unique is planned it could have merit, but it will not be
easy.
"It gets a little tricky. There's always economics to everything and
creating a buy-in.
"I think the idea of doing something on a grand scale is right."
City Councillor Larry Pimm said the society has come up with an
interesting set of ideas, but it must be put to the public.
"If the public is really cool to it, it probably fades."
Finding the money for a large-scale project is always a "big
hurdle," especially in tough economic times. When the money can't be
found to support long-sought projects such as a 50-metre competitive
swimming pool, it is clear budgets are tight, he said.
Pimm believes successfully developing Riverlands will also mean
developing a downtown where more people have made their home and
densities are increased.
County Councillor Dave Hoar said while the society has made
administration aware of its proposal, council hasn't had a chance to
talk about it yet.
"At this point in time, we have no position on it. It would be
premature.
"On the other hand, we do own Mintlaw Bridge and the rail line
between Red Deer and Sylvan Lake. It wouldn't be totally out of
reason we might consider something."
The county recently purchased for $1 the 97-year-old Mintlaw Bridge
over the Red Deer River near Springbrook from Canadian Pacific
Railway Ltd.
Feb. 4, 2010, Red Deer Advocate
(Laura Tester)
World-class attraction proposed
for Riverlands
Forth Junction idea as theme
park based on model train village
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 accommodations modelled after historic rail stations, plus a
nature park, would be found on land within the county.
Society president Paul Pettypiece told the Advocate on Wednesday
that their "very bold and ambitious" concept will take about 20
years to fully develop, a lot of work and millions of dollars to
realize.
This is the first time their vision has been made public.
"It is achievable, sustainable and will create a unique attraction
for visitors and tourists from all over North America and perhaps
the world," said Pettypiece.
"And as a result, (it will) become a major economic generator for
the region."
The concept includes four projects, hailed as never seen before in
Canada.
Forth Junction has a major tourist and public activity centre in
mind for Riverlands, an area west of Taylor Drive set for
development.
It would include a transportation-themed amusement park, shopping
centre, ground transportation museum, large gathering area and an
atrium.
"The main entranceway would feature a teepee because we want to
start off with ancient transportation systems that the aboriginals
used," said Pettypiece.
The building would also include a tower restaurant in the shape of a
grain elevator.
Pettypiece said this project is still in its early stages.
Formed last spring, the now-registered society includes 10 members
who have a strong interest in railway and transportation history.
"We want to get the community engaged in this," said Pettypiece.
The second major project would occur on an unidentified county site
close to the railway and Red Deer.
A series of railway stations, using various historic styles found in
Central Alberta would be set up for accommodations. A family and
nature park, as well as an observation tower would also be on hand.
A miniature train for people to ride in could be operational.
Third, Canada's largest historical model railway museum could be set
up as part of the Riverlands concept. The museum would give the
history on how the city and region looked in 1892, 1911, 1939, 1955,
and 1985 as well as offering a look into the future.
Forth Junction's final project centres on building a replica of The
Chinook -- a high speed transportation passenger train of the 1930s
to 1950s between Calgary and Edmonton. It could go on either the
county site or next to the old CPR railway station near 51st Avenue.
"We want both venues to be self-sustaining, which is why we put the
retail in the downtown project and the accommodations in the county
project," said Pettypiece.
Besides these four projects, Forth Junction is also proposing a
corridor linking Red Deer College with a possible future airport
terminal near the historic Mintlaw trestle just off of the C&E Trail
southwest of Red Deer. The corridor could be used for trams.
A tram or other similar transportation could move people between
Rotary Recreation Park and Bower Ponds along Alexander Way (48th
Street).
Guided or self-guided tours could link railway and other historic
icons within the city and region.
Forth Junction also suggests branding the region based on past and
future transportation.
Pettypiece said they've had discussions with city and county
officials, as well as Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, and all appear
supportive of the concept.
"We haven't actually gone out and asked for money -- and this isn't
the time to do it when they are cutting back on projects," he said.
Pettypiece anticipates fundraising and government grants will be
needed.
Construction, at the earliest, would begin in three to five years.
"We don't want to take this too far until the community is
supportive of it," said Pettypiece. "We don't want it to go the same
route of the canals."
A business group had lobbied for water canals, similar to those
found in San Antonio, Tex., as a main attraction in Riverlands. The
canal concept was deemed exciting and innovative, but ultimately not
authentic to the community and one with implementation challenges,
according to the 2008 Greater Downtown Action Plan document.
News articles related to the vision of the Forth Junction Heritage
Society:
News articles related to Calgary & Edmonton Railway / Canadian
Pacific in Central Alberta:
News article: Get the lead out -
repair, repaint CPR bridge
(Red Deer Advocate Nov.2015)
News article: Reflections of Ponoka: A road
and a rail station is where it all began
(Ponoka News Feb.2014)
News article: Penhold man remembers day of the
train
(Innisfail Province Dec.2013)
News article: Wimborne comes alive again with
new book
(Innisfail Province Nov.2013)
News article: Arches mark influence of
railroad on city (Red Deer
Advocate Oct.2013)
News article: CP's heritage train rolls through region
(Mountain View Gazette Aug.2011)
News
article: Help add a little history to Arches project
(Red Deer Advocate Sep.2009)
News article: A new face for the old
station
(Red Deer Life July 1996)
News articles related to ACR/CPR Mintlaw bridge:
Commentary: Preservation Opportunity Not to be
Lost (Innisfail Province & Red
Deer Advocate June 2015)
News article: Red Deer County seeks partners
to afford bridge access
(Mountain View Gazette Apr.2012)
News article: County council looks at bridge
as tourist attraction
(Red Deer Advocate April 2012)
News article: Plans for Mintlaw Bridge waiting
on public feedback
(Mountain View Gazette Feb.2012)
News article: Opposition comes forward to Mintlaw Bridge preservation
(Mountain View Gazette May 2011)
News article: Reinforcing our history
(Red Deer Advocate Mar.2011)
News article: Repairs planned for crumbling
CPR bridge
(Red Deer Advocate Feb.2011)
News article: RD County antes up for Mintlaw
Bridge repairs
(Mountain View Gazette Nov.2010)
News article: Bridging gap between history and
disrepair
(Red Deer Advocate Nov.2010)
News article: County buys bridge for a buck
(Red Deer Advocate Dec.2009)
News article: County buys historic railway bridge
(Red Deer Express Dec.2009)
News articles related to Alberta Central Railway heritage:
News article: Benalto train station gets
funding (Red Deer Advocate
Nov.2015)
News article: Benalto Train Station returned
to hamlet after lengthy journey
(Sylvan Lake News May 2013)
News article: Riders welcome train station
home to Benalto
(Red Deer Advocate Apr.2013)
News article: Benalto station move delayed
(Red Deer Advocate Mar.2013)
News article: Benalto train station to return
home after 42-year absence
(Sylvan Lake News Feb.2013)
News article: Former Benalto train station
donated back to community
(Red Deer Advocate Feb.2013)
News
article: Historic significance of concrete obelisk preserved in
mural (Red Deer Advocate Oct.2008)
News articles related to Canadian Northern / GTP /Canadian
National Railway heritage:
News article: Hanna society buys historic
roundhouse
(Drumheller Mail Dec.2013)
News article: Big plans for the Hanna
roundhouse
(Drumheller Online Oct.2013)
News article: Hanna Roundhouse celebrates new
beginnings
(ECAReview Oct.2013)
News article: Big Valley station banks on
restored roof
(Stettler Independent Apr.2013)
Blog: Big Valley Canadian Northern Station
Celebrates 100 Years
(RETROactive Sept.2012)
News article: Slag piles give Nordegg mine an historic edge
(Red Deer Advocate May 2012)
Feature article: 6060 turns 66
(Red Deer Express Sept.2010)
News articles related to regional railway museums:
News article: Railway Days still chugging
along to success
(Wetaskiwin Times Aug.2013)
News article: New exhibits call Historical
Village home
(Innisfail Province May 2010)
News article: 'Sleeper' village grand
opening set
(Red Deer Advocate May 2010)
News article: Alberta Central Train Museum
celebrates 17th anniversary
(Wetaskiwin Times June 2009)
News articles related to regional historic railway stations:
News article: Benalto train station gets
funding
(Red Deer Advocate
Nov.2015)
News article: Alberta railway stations get a
new lease on life
(AgCanada Nov.2013)
News article: Benalto Train Station returned
to hamlet after lengthy journey
(Sylvan Lake News May 2013)
News article: Riders welcome train station
home to Benalto
(Red Deer Advocate Apr.2013)
News article: Big Valley station banks on
restored roof
(Stettler Independent Apr.2013)
News article: Benalto station move delayed
(Red Deer Advocate Mar.2013)
News article: Benalto train station to return
home after 42-year absence
(Sylvan Lake News Feb.2013)
News article: Former Benalto train station
donated back to community
(Red Deer Advocate Feb.2013)
Blog: Big Valley Canadian Northern Station
Celebrates 100 Years
(RETROactive Sept.2012)
News article: Historic train station relocated
to Beiseker
(Rockyview Weekly July 2012)
News article: A new face for the old
station
(Red Deer Life July 1996)
News articles related to regional railway heritage preservation:
News article: Heritage projects share grant
funding
(Red Deer Advocate July 2013)
News article: Relic caboose gets new home
(Red Deer Advocate May 2013)
News article: Rail link effort chugging along
(Red Deer Advocate May 2013)
News article: Track for historic railway tours
likely to be done by late summer
(Red Deer Advocate June 2011)
News article: Rail being laid for heritage
line
(Red Deer Advocate Sept.2010)
News article: Stettler group wants to convert
grain elevator into museum
(Red Deer Advocate May 2010)
News article: Train track wanted
(Red Deer Advocate May 2010)
News article: County heritage project a first
for Alberta
(Red Deer Advocate Feb.2010)
News article: Major funding will restore rail
line to Donalda
(Stettler Independent Oct.2009)
News articles related to regional model and miniature railways:
News
article: Trains still roll for some
(Red Deer Advocate Nov.2012)
News article: Back yard model railway track
okayed
(Red Deer Advocate Aug.2012)
News article: Stay busy, stay young: Fred
Freschette
(Red Deer Advocate Nov.2010)
News article: A work in two golden ages: Ernie
Beskowiney
(Red Deer Advocate July 2010)
News article: New exhibits call Historical
Village home
(Innisfail Province May 2010)
News article: 'Sleeper' village grand
opening set
(Red Deer Advocate May 2010)
News articles related to transit heritage:
News article: Newest city ghost unveiled downtown
(Red Deer Express May 2012)
News article: Ghost unveiled
(Red Deer Advocate May 2012)
News article: Classic bus cruises city streets
(Red Deer Advocate June 2011)
News article: Transit to retire last low-floor
vehicle
(Red Deer Advocate Feb.2011)
News article: Parkade named Sorensen Station
(Red Deer Express June 2010)
News
article: Downtown parkade to be named after transportation pioneer
Gordon Sorensen
(Red Deer Advocate June 2010)
News article: Rare GM public bus saved by city
bus man
(Red Deer Express Dec.2009)
News articles related to regional trail development including
rail-trails:
Commentary: Preservation Opportunity Not to be
Lost (Innisfail Province & Red
Deer Advocate June 2015)
News article: Red Deer County seeks partners
to afford bridge access
(Mountain View Gazette Apr.2012)
News article: County council looks at bridge
as tourist attraction
(Red Deer Advocate April 2012)
News article: Plans for Mintlaw Bridge waiting
on public feedback
(Mountain View Gazette Feb.2012)
News article: City council adopts river valley
plan
(Red Deer Express July 2010)
News article: Building trails to paradise
(Red Deer Advocate March 2009)
News article: Clearwater County calls on
province for advice about trail
(Red Deer Advocate April 2008)
Editorial: On the trail of a worthy plan
(Red Deer Advocate Sept.2005)
News articles related to historic downtown Red Deer redevelopment
(the original vision of the Forth Junction Heritage Society included
an attraction in the new downtown
Riverlands but this vision was modified to have one destination
close to the city and active rail line):
Commentary: The Greater Downtown Action Plan progress and potential
(Red Deer Express May 2013)
News article: Riverlands development ready for
debate (Red Deer Advocate
Sep.2011)
News article: Railyards: Open house on a
20-year plan for downtown (Red Deer Advocate June 2011)
News article: Riverlands: Strong turnout for
open house (Red Deer Advocate
March 2011)
Commentary: Red Deer could use more bold
visionary landmark designers
(Red Deer Express Sep.2010)
News article: Paths to change
(Rotary Recreation Park)
(Red Deer Advocate Aug.2010)
Editorial: Time for downtown vision
(Red Deer Advocate July 2010)
News article: Big expectations for downtown Red Deer
(Red Deer Advocate June 2009)
News
article: Chance of a lifetime
(Red Deer Advocate Jan.2009)
Editorial: No San Antonio but
hope left for Big Wow
(Red Deer Express Nov.2008)
News
article: Canal plan jettisoned
(Red Deer Express Nov.2008)
News
article: Red Deer - Alberta's next great city
(Red Deer Express July 2008)
News articles related to high speed rail
(Forth Junction supports the concept of a future rapid passenger
rail service connecting major destinations as efficient and enviro-friendly
but is not directly advocating for any specific high speed rail
proposal):
News article: Talk of high-speed rail line
picking up steam? (Red Deer
Advocate Dec.2013)
News article: City touting high-speed rail
stop at downtown station
(Red Deer Advocate Jan.2013)
News article: Fast-tracking bullet train a
ticket to nowhere (Red Deer Advocate Dec.2011)
Commentary: Steam good alternative for
high-speed rail link
(Red Deer Advocate Apr.2011)
News article: Business officials laud rail
proposals
(Red Deer Advocate Apr.2011)
News article: Chamber pressing high-speed rail
plan
(Red Deer Advocate Jan.2011)
Editorial: Train's future needs path
(Red Deer Advocate Nov.2010)
News article: Project creates issues for rural
residents
(Red Deer Advocate Nov.2010)
Editorial: High speed rail back on
(Red Deer Advocate July 2010)
News article: Rail plan returns
(Red Deer Advocate July 2010)
News article: Get moving on high-speed rail
link: expert
(Red Deer Advocate June 2010)
News article: Rural groups want high-speed
rail study
(Red Deer Advocate March 2010)
News article: Political will lags behind train debate
(Red Deer Advocate Oct.2009)
News
article: Province offers update on high speed rail
(Red Deer Express July 2009)
News
article: Company pushes for high speed rail
(Red Deer Express April 2008)
News article: Rail group projects service in
five years (Red Deer Advocate
April 2008)
Historian Michael Dawe articles related to transportation
history in Central Alberta
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