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2 WINNIPeG FRee PReSS, SATuRDAY juLY 25, 2015 P R A I R I E D O G C E N T R A L Box160,FisherBranch,MBR0C0Z0 AttitudesAreContagious...IsYoursWorthCatching? ComplimentsofJim&thefriendlystaff UKRAINIAN FARMERS CO-OP ServingYourCommunity ProudlyFor80Years •BulkPetroleum •GasStation •GroceryStore (204)372-6202 August1&2 10am-11am Outdoorsatthe VikingStatue (classescancelledifitrains) zumbajan@mts.net GimliIcelandicFestival F R E E FITNESS TOPSOIL SAND-GRAVEL LANDSCAPING FILL-STONE Julia's UkraInian Restaurant and catering 30GimliRoadinMatlock,MB Just9kmSouthofWinnipegBeach 2bedroomsuiteavailableallyearround OVER30YEARSEXPERIENCEINWINNIPEG FEATURINGDELICIOUSUKRAINIANAND EUROPEANHOMECOOKING! CALL204�771�5036OR204�389�5303 SOUTHSIDE SERVICE ForAllYourAutomotiveRepairs&Maintenance Inbusinessatthislocationsince1974! 462MainStreet Stonewall,MBR0C2Z0 PH.204-467-2378 MondaytoFriday7:00A.M.-6:00P.M. TheAmbassadorofIceland& thestaffoftheEmbassyofIcelandinCanada thestaffoftheEmbassyofIcelandinCanada sendtheirbestwishestoallreadersofthe WinnipegFreePress-ManitobaTown&Country Inparticularwewishthereadersof Icelandicdescent "GledilegaHatid" ontheoccasionof Íslendingadagurinn 2015 inGimliJuly31-August3 EmbassyofIceland, 360AlbertStreet, Suite710, Ottawa,ONK1R7X7 www.iceland.org/ca ����������� ���������� ��������� ��������� ���������� ���� � �������� ����������� ����� � ����� MAIN St. Winnipeg Beach 204-389-5086 T he seasonally run railroad, which travels north from Winnipeg to the town of Grosse Isle, was a large and noisy prop which recently lent some authenticity — and weight — to the Buffalo Gal Pictures'/Rosetta Media TV series The Pinkertons. The show is about the real life Pinkerton's Detective Agency, featuring stories based on actual cases from agency archives dating to the 1860s. The production company used Steam Locomotive No. 3 and Coach 103, both of which were "tweaked" for filming. "The Prairie Dog Central was delighted to be approached by The Pinkertons and be part of the series," says Catherine Duffin, marketing manager for the Prairie Dog Central Railway (PDCR). The train and about four PDCR staff were involved over a period of about three months, filming on and off the train, Duffin says. "Many of our volunteers are now TV stars — in fact our operations manager was the first face you saw during the first episode!" The TV shoot created quite a buzz last season for passengers who had the excitement of visiting the set. "Passengers were able to take photographs standing on the platform of Kansas City Station and the Dubois Hotel, both of which were a prominent part of the show," she says. "The Grosse Isle Community Hall received a complete make-over and was transformed into a spit-and-sawdust style saloon for those gun-totin' bad guys." Duffin says the train crew were treated like the rest of the cast members, and just like regular actors, they were especially enamoured of the catering truck. For its role, the train was required to do its own stunts. "During the first episode, the special effects team simulated an explosion on our track which looked extremely realistic even close up," says Duffin. "While the track was not damaged in any way, our track supervisor was very concerned with what he saw and couldn't believe that our track could not be affected. "He was very happy once the debris was removed and he could see that we came through unscathed." The train, which runs on a short line railway, is celebrating its 45th year in operation. It started regular operations in 1970 on the CN Cabot Subdivision. At that time, the train pulled out of Charleswood, where the station consisted of a particle-board shack. Later, it operated out of the St. james station near Polo Park until October, 1996. These days, the Prairie Dog Central departs from the Inkster junction Station on Prairie Dog Trail, on the north side of Inkster Boulevard between Sturgeon Road and Route 90. Immediately north of Winnipeg's Airport, it is easily accessible from any direction. This year, the PDCR will be offering a variety of education programs for groups and schools in addition to private charters with the option of booking the Party Caboose. One unique activity that the railway is able to offer to adults is engineer for a Day. This where someone gets to channel their "inner Charley Pratt" (you remember — he was the engineer and conductor of the Hooterville Cannonball) and learn how the diesel locomotive works with hands-on experience, even sounding the bell and blowing the horn. The train offers family-friendly excursions on weekends and holidays from May through September. Themed events include a Great Train Robbery, the Mystical Magic Train, the historical Take a Train Trip Back in Time, or the exclusive Planes Trains and Automobiles event. The Prairie 'Hog' Train Robbery incorporates live music, and food ... after being robbed during the trip to Grosse Isle. Duffin says all those aboard would be wise to bring sunscreen and bug spray, and to remember to bring cash — not to placate any potential train robbers, but because there is no debit or ATM facility. You can pack a picnic or be greeted by the friendly folks in Grosse Isle where you can get smokies, hot dogs, ice cream or even cookies or from-scratch baked pie. The train runs rain or shine. So like the Flatt and Scruggs song says: "Come ride the little train, that is rolling down the tracks, to the junction. "Forget about your cares, it is time to relax, at the junction." For information and tickets, visit www.pdcrailway.com. ❚ The train, which runs on a short line railway, is celebrating its 45th year in operation. it started regular operations in 1970 on the cn cabot subdivision. PhoTo by andrew nelson Tracks of Time By Wendy King for the Free Press The last really famous train on television was the fictional hooterville cannonball on Petticoat Junction. The latest contender is manitoba's own Prairie dog central. and it's anything but fictional. Prairie Dog Central Brings history to liFe

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