THE ASSINIBOINE VALLEY RAILWAY     3001 ROBLIN BLVD., WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, R3R 0B8 E-MAIL  iceman@swedenfreezer.com                      Phone 204-837-1305                       or 204-786-4882 or                        cell 204-782-7090

• Bill Taylor - President and chief of nut production.

• Len LaRue -  Vice-President. In charge of machining and medical control of nut ingestion.

• Vic St-Germain - Vice-President in charge of engine house and surplus control of nuts.

• Dwight Kjartanson - Vice-President in charge of signals and control of nuts running reds.   

• Mary-Lou Taylor -  Vice-President. In charge of nut roasting and other culinary skills.    

WELCOME TO THE AVR'S GROWING WEB PAGE. TAKE A LOOK AROUND. CLICK ON THE TITLES BELOW TO GET TO OTHER PAGES. IF A LINE IS UNDERLINED THEN IT TAKES YOU TO ANOTHER PAGE OR A PICTURE. DROP US AN E-MAIL AND TELL US HOW YOU LIKED OUR WEB PAGE.

BY Bill Taylor Feb 3rd., 2012

THE ABEL BOOK COLLECTION FOR SALE

THE ABEL MAGAZINE SALE LIST

MAP OF TRACKAGE 19/01/08           AVR RULES                   WHO ARE WE?

PUBLIC OPEN RUN DAYS  17/03/2011           OUR HISTORY WITH PICTURES 13/03/04

LOCOMOTIVES AND ROLLING STOCK 14/08/11  THE DINNER TRAIN 13/09/11

HOW TO FIND US           OTHER RAILROADS WE HAVE VISITED   26/09/11

THE CHRISTMAS LIGHT RUN 06/11/11         OUR MEMBERSHIP FORM

 ENGINE HOUSE 02/02/08                MEMBERS  07/01/12 

FUN RUN DAYS 26/09/11

 AUGUST  JOINT 2011 MEET                      BADGES & PATCHES FOR SALE

OLD NEWS 23/01/11    OLD NEWS 2011 07/01/12      AUGUST JOINT MEET 2011 

REGISTRATION FORM

CHRISTMAS AT THE TAYLORS                 MEMBERS ONLY

YOUTUBE VIDEO CLIPS ON THE AVR

Public Open Houses are the 2nd weekend of the month, June, July, August, Sept., and October.  The 2011 Schedule of events is posted.

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CAR 3108 AS SHE IS TODAY DEDICATED TO HARVEY SCRIVENER AND PRESENTED BY CALEDON PROPANE FOR USE ON THE AVR

 

On Jan 6th 2012 the Assiniboine Valley Railway celebrated a great mile stone in the history of the club. We gave a train ride to our 200,000 rider since public rides were offered in 1996. In this days we had 800 feet of track and only one train. Currently we have 1.3 miles of track winding through the forest and can operate four complete diesel trains and in the summer our members can operate up to six steam engines. In the above picture Nathan Penner is our special rider followed by his mother Martina Penner. As a prize the young lad was presented 2 rail passes and 2 pairs of holiday glasses. On Jan 5th, 2012 the AVR celebrated our 15,000 rider for this Christmas season with a picture and a complimentary 12 ride pass. The young man in the picture is Noah Wiebe, followed by his mother, Angela Wiebe and grandmother, Elsie Biswanger.  Congratulations to all. AVR 2008 AUGUST MEET PICTURES  ONE OF FOUR NEW LOG CARS NOW COMPLETE AT THE AVR. BILL WAS THE FOREMAN OF THE PROJECT.  THE STEEL BOX CAR # 474 IS COMPLETE. ROB WAS THE FOREMAN ON THE PROJECT 5427  TAKING SHAPE. VIC IS THE FOREMAN OF THE PROJECT. NEW ARRIVAL AT THE AVR CHECK ROSTER CANADIAN PACIFIC 5303 AND 4 CARS THE AVR is a non profit club and we welcome new members who have an interest in small railroading. We are looking for interested model builders who would like to take on or help with structure building projects for the AVR.  THERE ARE OVER 150 PICTURES IN OUR HISTORY WITH PICTURES. TAKE A LOOK... NEXT WORK SESSIONS WILL BE  Wednesday & Saturday afternoons.     Prepare for building projects after the Christmas Run.  CLICK BELOW FOR SOME CURRENT PICTURES ALL PICTURES ON THIS PAGE WILL END UP IN OUR HISTORY SECTION WITH SEVERAL HUNDRED OTHER PICTURES. 2365 THE PACIFIC CONSTRUCTION PICTURES 2365 PACIFIC PASSES TEST AT TRAIN MOUNTAIN 5427 CONSTRUCTION PICTURES (UPDATED JAN 29, 2010) CPR # 2816 STOPS IN WINNIPEG OTHER RAILROADS WE HAVE VISITED (UPDATED JAN 27TH, 2009) WHIT JOHNSON AND 2856 AT AVR BOX CAB # 25  (BUILDERS PHOTO) AVR REFRIGERATOR CAR (BUILDERS PHOTO) WINTER WORK ON ENGINE HOUSE   WINTER VIEW AT FLAMINGO GULCH 6109 GETTING NEW COLOURS   OUTSIDE BRACED BOX CAR  202 IN HER NEW COLOURS  STOCK CAR CONSTRUCTION  (BUILDERS PHOTO) FOUR LOG CARS  (BUILDERS PHOTO) AVR 2008 AUGUST MEET PICTURES AVR NEW OUTSIDE BRACED BOX CARS (4) Send us an E-Mail and let us know how you liked our site.

Saturday Vic continued to work on detail parts for 5427's tender. Gil and Richard put up the main sign and did a number of other jobs related to the start of the Christmas run. Bill repaired a few last minute things on the display. The railway was operated on the first night by Brian, Fred, Gordon, Jim, Frank, Barry, Gil and Bill. Dwight built a sequence control for the snowman. Sunday Gil did track maintenance in the afternoon and Bill repaired some deer damage to the display. The railway was operated in the evening by Jim, Fred, Richard, Dwight, Brian and Bill. Monday Bill repaired some damage and completed and put out another star. Gil serviced the tracks. The railway was operated by Gordon, Jim and Bill. Tuesday was a warmer day. Bill repaired some deer damage and Gil serviced the tracks. Three youth groups came, making for a busy night. The railway was operated by Barry, Brian, Gordon, Jim and Bill. Wednesday Vic worked on tender parts and serviced a charger on 202. Phil M. milled more points. Frank got equipment ready for the evening. Gil checked trails for ice and sanded where needed. Bill repaired a candy cane and snowflake and checked the remainder of lights. The railway was operated by Frank, Vic, Richard, Ed T. and Bill. Dwight did repairs and worked on display electronics. Thursday Gil maintained the track and Bill checked and repaired the lights. The railway was operated by Jim, Bill, Richard and Gordon. Friday Gil serviced track and trails and Bill did admin work and repaired some light damage. The snowman was completed. The railway was operated by Becky, Phil, Barry, Jim, Gil, Bill and Gordon. Saturday Vic continued to work on 5427's tender while Gil serviced the track and Bill did light repairs and completed the last star and put it and the snowman out in the display. The railway was operated for about 800 people by Brian, Phil M, Becky, Len, Helen, Fred, Gordon, Dwight. Ed T., Frank and Bill. Sunday Dec 18, Gil serviced the tracks in the afternoon. Bill repaired and checked the lights and did other tasks. We had another mild night but snow in the late afternoon. Bill shovelled on the platform and yard paths while Len went around the track. It fortunately stopped during the run of another 800 passengers. The railway was operated by Richard, Jim & Carol, Len & Helen, Gordon, Brian, Barry, Ed M and Bill. Monday Gil did track maintenance. Bill spent the morning doing club administration and the afternoon checking lights and repairing things. The railway was operated by Jim, Carol, Barry, Len and Bill. Tuesday Gil did track maintenance in the afternoon. As it was a wormer day Bill checked the display for burned out lights on trail side lighting and replaced 41 bulbs. A candy cane was repaired and admin work was completed. The railway was operated for a large group by Richard, Gordon, Dwight, Phil S., Steven and Bill. Wednesday Vic worked on tender detail parts, Gil serviced the track and with Bill got equipment out. Bill did admin work, cleaned up salt snow, repaired lights and other details. The railroad was operated by Fred, Vic, Len, Barry, Frank, Ed M., Ed T., and Bill. Thursday Gil serviced the track and Bill repaired display features. The two got trains out prior to the run. The railroad was operated by Richard, Frank, Fred, Gordon, Barry, Brian, Steven, Jim and Bill. Tonight 6109 had a bolt loosen and 3001 had traction problems. Frank did running repairs on 6109. Friday Dec 23rd, Gil serviced the track and got the trains out. Frank put a safety wire on the bolt holding in the draw bar on 6109 and with Bill got 25 onto the lift. Bill did admin work and checked all the lights. The railway had a record night with 1066 passengers and was operated by Gordon, Richard, Brian, Len and Helen, Dwight, Jim, Ed T. and Bill. 3001 was put in the engine house to get a couple of new traction motors and a gondola was put in for checking. Tonight we operated four trains. Saturday Dec 24th Christmas Eve. Vic and Bill replaced a traction motor on 3001 and put her back into service. Frank checked a gondola. Gil serviced the track and set up the trains. The railway was operated by Phil M., Becky, Mary, Vic, Frank, Richard, Gordon and Bill. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL. Sunday Christmas Day, Bill repaired some lights and used 202 to make 4 trips with family guests. The lights were on but no public trains. Monday Boxing Day Bill picked up some LED's and four new flashlights and spent the afternoon repairing deer damaged lights. Gil serviced the tracks and put out the trains. The railway was operated by Richard, Gordon, Phil M., Becky, Len, Helen, Jim, Carol, Brian and Bill. A short developed on the road circuit and was checked by Bill and Len but will need tomorrows light to repair.  Tuesday the temperature dipped to seasonal. Gil serviced the track and got out the trains. Bill started the day with club admin jobs and then picked up some wireless speakers to improve the sound on trails. More LED were picked up on sale to make 2012 new projects. The early afternoon was spent finding the short on the road underground cable. A short was located between arch 13 and 14 and shorted wire was removed and remaining line was tested ok. As Bill is experiencing some back issues due to a re-rail on Christmas Len came over and replaced the 7 feet of effected wire. The system was tested and put back into service. The railway was operated by Brian, Len, Ed T., Richard, Barry and Bill. Wednesday Vic worked on traction motors all afternoon. Gil serviced the track removing a light snow and getting out the trains. Bill did admin work, shovelled the yard trails, Q area and station platform then repaired a string of lights, modified a swinging bell with Dwight's diodes and repaired an angel. The railway was operated for the second largest group this Christmas season by Phil M, Becky, Brian, Frank, Dwight, Ed. M., Len, Helen and Bill with Jim and Gordon helping for a short while. Thursday Gil serviced the tracks and got out the equipment. Bill did admin work for the club and checked the lights finding deer had run through a string at the upper parking lot and taken a plug and extension cord. Also two arches at the Q had sockets separate. Due to Bill's bad back Frank made the needed repairs. The railway had a good group of riders needing three trains. The railway was run by Len, Ed T., Gordon, Frank, Barry, Brian and Bill. 3001 was retired early replaced by 25 due to battery problems. Suspect charger problems. Friday Dec 30th was a great day. Bill and Len corrected the problem on the charging system of 3001 and returned it to service. Gil serviced the tracks and got the trains out. Frank did some milling on tank car parts. Bill did admin jobs and repaired lights. The railway had 950 riders on up to four trains. The following members helped run things, Len and Helen, Phil and Becky, Frank, Richard, Gordon, Brian, Barry and Bill. Saturday New Year's Eve, Frank did more milling, Vic worked on 5427's tender, Bill did admin jobs and fixed lights, Gil did track maintenance and Frank, Bill and Gil got the trains out. The railway was operated to a good number of riders by Phil, Becky, Emily, August, Gordon, Vic, Barry and Bill. Following the run the station was transformed into a banquet hall and those who worked the night had a buffet of Chinese food.  Sunday New Years day, Bill repaired some two legged damage to lights and checked out a squirrel attack on the north trail. Admin work was carried out. Gil serviced the track. The railway was operated to a small but steady group of guests despite the light snow. The locomotive brushes made all the difference. Those who operated the railway were Frank, Richard, Len, Gordon, Brian and Bill. Monday Bill did a supply run for more cups and TP. Some of the squire damage was repaired and the balance of the lights were inspected. Gil serviced the rails and got out two trains. Vic has been working at his home shop on re-building traction motors. The railway was operated by Len, Ed T., Frank, Dwight and Bill. Tuesday Bill did admin work in the morning and repaired 24 squirrel chews in the afternoon restoring 800 lights. Gil serviced the tracks and got out the trains. The weather warmed up and we had 600 riders. The railway was operated by Barry, Richard, Len, Frank, Brian and Bill. Wednesday Jan 4th. Vic re-aliened the maintenance building track and worked on the tender of 5427. Bill checked the lights and repaired 15 squirrel chews and repaired two groups damaged by 2 legged visitors. More squirrel damage was found. Gil serviced the tracks and got out the trains. The railway was operated by Fred, Vic, Len, Frank, Ed T., Ed M. and Bill. Thursday Bill did admin tasks and checked all the lights repairing a few that needed repairs. Gil checked the tracks and got the trains out. The railway was operated by Richard, Brian, Fred, Dwight, Gordon, Frank and Bill. During the run we celebrated our 15,000 rider for the 2011/12 Christmas season with a picture and a 12 ride pass as gift.   Friday Gil serviced the track and got trains out. It snowed quite a bit through the day. Bill cleared the yard trails and "Q" area twice and Frank did the tracks. Gil did the area around the station platform. Due to ice the trains were kept short as the track was slippery. Bill did admin jobs. Len, Gordon, Frank, Phil and Becky, Fred and Bill ran the railway. During the run passenger 99 became our 200,000 rider since the first train rides were given in 1996. To mark the occasion Bill presented Nathan Penner and his mother Martina Penner two 12 ride passes and two pairs of holiday glasses. Pictures were taken to mark the occasion.   Saturday Bill did administration duties and checked lights while Gil serviced the tracks and got out the trains. Vic worked on 5427 and he, Barry and Bill had a meeting about a tube roller for 2365 and other railway projects. Dwight checked signals and switches. The railway was operated by Richard, Brian, Phil and Becky, Len, Dwight, Gordon and Bill.   Sunday Jan 8th The Last Night of the Christmas Run. Gil serviced the tracks and got out the trains. Bill repaired some damaged lights and checked the balance of the display. The railway was operated for a joyful bunch of riders by Barry, Ed M., Len, Fred, Phil S., Brian and Bill. The windup Buffet will be held in the Station for all members and partners who helped with the run on Saturday Jan 14th at 5:30 pm.   Monday Bill did admin jobs for the club and changed the signage along with closing the upper parking area and turning of un-needed lights. The lights were on for the evening to finish off the season. A number of people took the opportunity to walk around and enjoy the warm January night.   Tuesday  Bill cleared off the tracks to Duck Lake storage building and with 202 brought back to the station one outside braced box car and the stock car for measurements. The holiday specks were put away and other Christmas supplies were stored. Accounting and other admin jobs were worked on.   Wednesday Vic worked on 5427's tender and with Phil M. took 6109 out of the maintenance building and put it on the rack in the engine house along with 25. Phil cleaned up and did some milling on points. Bill did some layout work on the proposed oar cars and prepared some castings for duplication.   Thursday Bill drew up scale plans with cutting dimensions for the proposed oar cars and started to gather data on available material and dimensions for the stock cars.    Friday Bill drew up plans for the wood cutting of the two stock cars and steel sill dimensions.   Saturday Gordon and Bill moved the caboose to the engine house, put two gondolas in the car barn and put the stock car and box car in the dog house. The two then cleared out the station and set up the tables for the evening banquet. Ed T and his wife and Bill rolled up several boxes of lights in the upper parking area. Phil M., spent time machining the new base for the shear and brake. At 5:30 twenty one members of the club sat down to a Chinese Buffet in calibration of the completion of the most successful Christmas light run. We had a similar number of riders in 2006 however it took 5 weeks while this season was only 4 weeks so definitely a record year. Bill and Gil spent time planning certain wood cuts and methods for building the cars that are planned..   Sunday Bill removed the coupler and cover plate from the caboose. We do not know where Peter got the casting so Bill will make a mould and cast the parts at the AVR. Later in the afternoon Bill made up two mould boxes. One for the end casting and the other for the brake wheel housing and mounted the two pieces ready for making the mould. During the afternoon Barry, Phil S. and Steven pulled 6612 and removed the water pump for repairs and the cylinder valves were disassembled to look for the nagging problem and Barry feels that it was how the locomotive was originally built by Mason. Different ways to repair were discussed and the locomotive was re-racked. Bill shut down the lights at 10:00 pm for the last time until next Christmas. A number of people took advantage of the last look and the milder temperatures. Lights can now be taken down starting on the railway and on the bush trails.   In all the railway ran for 29 days plus Christmas Day when only family got rides. Of those 29 days Gil serviced the tracks and cleared snow all 29 days as well as putting out equipment on most of them. Bill operated the railway all 30 days looking after admin jobs and clearing snow on the yard paths during the day. Fortunately there were no large snow falls. The following members helped during the run helping to make the whole thing possible. Gordon, Brian, Len, Richard, Frank , Jim, Barry, Phil M., Fred, Becky, Ed T., Dwight, Helen, Vic, Ed M, Carol , Phil S., Steven, Emily, August and Mary. Twenty three people in all kept the rails working.   Tuesday Bill picked up moulding rubber and plastic casting material and cast the moulds using masters that Peter had carved. A couple of sets of plastic castings were made from the original moulds.    Wednesday Vic worked on 5427 tender parts and Phil M worked on milling a new brake plate. Gil made up some wood spacers for the couple pockets that Bill made up for the oar cars. Phil and Gil discussed wheel templates for a proposed Jubilee and with Vic discussed and planned to make roof walk basses to save casting them. Bill poured two more moulds and cast two sets of plastic parts. Peter left us with a collection of wood detail part patterns for the cars that we will build this year.   Thursday Bill released the two moulds and made up boxes for two more moulds and cast four sets of casting using the previously made moulds.   Friday Gil cut up the roof walk basses from wood for the two stock cars. Bill released two sets of moulds and cast five sets of new castings and started the clean up on brake wheels. Peter's original caboose brake wheel mould self destructed but four wheels where produced first.   Saturday Bill re-assembled the caboose coupler end and took needed dimensions from the caboose to get the base and wall plywood cut. Several more sets of castings where poured. Phil M. worked on the mill on the new base plate for the shear. Dwight worked on some small parts. Gil, Barry, Len, Dwight, Phil and Bill had a discussion on coupler choices and other railway projects. Gil disconnected a group of arches around the railway ready for transport.   Sunday Bill continued to cast more parts completing the needed amount on a number of styles and cleaning up some parts. Barry and Steven did some work on 6612 in the engine house.   Monday Bill had cut and picked up two 1 inch base for both the caboose and stock cars and the six base boards and 12 side walls for the ore cars. Three sides for caboose where also cut. Three more sets of castings where made and a new mould box was made and rubber was poured. Vic spent the afternoon servicing the milling machine. Bill printed up 16 copies of the "Nutty report"   Tuesday Bill cast five parts with the new mould and a number of small parts. Envelopes where addressed and Reports labelled and stuffed. 19 more copies where printed. Ink cartridges where filled three times. It takes a lot of coloured ink to print our report.   Wednesday Jan 25th, Vic worked on the detail parts on 5427's tender and did more research on 2365's tub roller needs. Phil M. continued to do milling work on the part for our shear. Gil and Bill transferred wood to his van for detail cutting. Bill cast three more sets of parts and sanded and de-flashed 18 brake housings and six caboose end detail plates. 11 more Nutty Reports where printed and made ready for mailing.   Thursday Bill did club admin tasks and cast the last of the large parts and a few sets of small valve parts. With the nice weather Bill brought in 20 arches off the west part of the railway.   Friday Bill did admin tasks and brought in 10 track side arches, a candy cane, three stars and two crates of lights.   Saturday Vic worked on 5427's tender water hatch details and started making a rubber role device for 2365. Barry spent some time on the project. We were visited by a guest from out of town. Bill de-flashed 10 cast sill plates for the ore cars and started de-flashing 30 of the 50 stake pockets. Ed T did some clean up filling on the parts. When Richard arrived he along with Ed T and Bill took down and stored the upper parking fence panels. Later Richard and Bill took down and put away six of the 12 ft arches and 2 six foot arches. Gordon, Richard and Bill removed all the crates from the lower display storage building making it ready to receive displays. Dwight did work on plans on the new computer.   Monday Vic worked on the hatch for the tender of 5427. Phil S. and Steven re-assembled the upper pistons on 6612 getting her ready for timing. Bill spent a good part of the day doing year end bookwork for the club. A start on the financial statement was made.   Wednesday Vic continued to work on 5427's tender. Bill cast two sets of retainer valve castings and cleaned up the dirt in 2365's fire box and removed the stack.   Thursday Bill cast more retainer valves and fastened the lower and upper parts together on four. The remaining 25 stake pockets were sanded and filled. All valve face castings were de-flashed waiting for sanding. The first wall and end panel for the ore cars was marked and scribing has started.   Friday Len reports that some metal sturops for ore cars have been made. Bill completed the first wall and end panel and is half way through the second. Four sets of retainer parts where cast and three were trimmed and fasten together. The agenda for the AGM was set up. Anyone wishing to add a topic should call. The new cast three way valves had there initial flashing removed.

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