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Regular Operations

Beginning in May right through to the end of September every Saturday and Sunday, the Prairie Dog Central Railway offers you a daily train service complete with an adventure experience.  Imagine, five vintage railway coaches all built in the early 1900s, lovingly restored to their original lustre and elegance, and pulled by a fully restored vintage Steam locomotive built in1882 or a Classic diesel locomotive built in 1958. 

As you climb on board and settle back into your seats listen for the Conductor's call of “All Aboard” and two blasts from the horn or whistle.  That means it’s 11:00 am and time to depart our historic Inkster Junction Station built in 1910.  Sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds as the train travels for about 30 minutes, arriving at our first stop, the country hamlet of Grosse Isle.

Here when you detrain enjoy the fascination and friendliness of rural Manitoba.  While here you will find a miniature version of a train that children can ride at no charge, and sometimes there are farm animals to pet and every once in a while a local gentleman brings his two pet sheep.  These animals have been bottle fed since birth and are just like puppies, patiently waiting for their "masters" to walk alongside them with a leash!   Home baking is generally available, as well as snacks and refreshments, ice cream, world famous frozen bananas dipped in chocolate and various handicrafts.  A reminder that washrooms on the train cannot be used while in the station so this is a good time to "go before you go".  There’s the train bell and the Conductor's “All Aboard” again, and with two blasts from the horn or whistle signal it’s time to move so it’s off we go to our next stop.

Settle back once again and enjoy the leisurely ride of about 20 minutes or so after which the train arrives at the station platform at Warren.  Once you detrain you will have ample time to enjoy the many snacks and refreshments and take in the varied entertainment.   Open up your picnic basket that you brought or drop in to the Warren Lions Club booths!  What’s that you hear?  The engine is leaving!  Not to worry ... it's just going to the wye immediately north of the town to turn around ... it’ll be back soon.

Along side the station platform there are two major structures: a Quonset hut, home to the indoor Farmer's Market, and an original grain elevator, one of the last remaining in Manitoba.  Drop into the Farmer's Market operated by the West Interlake Trading Company for some snacks or country home baking or just quench your thirst.  When in season, be sure to take home some locally grown fruits and vegetables, too!  Rest for a while on the many park benches, and there’s lots of grassy areas for the children to run around on and "let off some steam" also.  Once you're rested up, wander over to the grain elevator for an interesting interpretive tour.  Look on the back of the brochure that you received with your tickets and go through the coaches and locomotive on your Interpretive Tour.  Don't be shy about questions!  A reminder once again those washrooms on board the train cannot be used while in the station so if you have to go before we go you will find the washroom facilities just beside the Farmer's Market.

While we're here, be certain to meet up with one of the members of the Train Crew who will provide insights and answer your questions about your Interpretive Tour of the coaches.  After learning about the interior and exterior refurbishing of these vintage wooden cars, you can then visit the Engineer and Fireman in the locomotive!  Everybody on the Prairie Dog Central Railway wants to ensure that your trip is filled with wonderment and memories.

What’s that you hear?  It's the train bell ringing and the Conductor shouting “All Aboard” and sadly it’s time to go.  Sit back and rest, enjoy the next 50 minutes or so as the train makes it’s way straight back to Inkster Junction Station.  Read the brochures, and don't forget to take lots of photos!  Soon the train slows to a gentle stop, we're back at Inkster Junction Station, you check the time, and it's getting close to 3:00 pm.  What a GREAT day!

As you wave goodbye to the Volunteer Porters and Train Crew and head to the parking lot, be sure to drop in to the Freight Shed, the souvenir and gift shop for last minute "memory items" and post cards to write to friends about on your exciting day aboard the Prairie Dog Central Railway.

Dates and rates are outlined on the Brochure, and for children 2 and under “it’s free on the knee”.  All seats are assigned so ticket purchases are highly recommended. Groups of 20 or more receive a 10% discount.  Please be aware that due to the age of the coaches, they are not air conditioned, nor can they accommodate all handicap accessible or special needs; should you have questions, please contact us. 

Ticket purchases can be made on line or by calling Ticketmaster™ at (204) 253-2787.
If you have a GROUP of 20 or more persons send an e-mail to us
or leave a voice message at 204 832-5259