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CTV News
04-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Northern Ont. railway group chugs forward with steam engine train revival project
The Nipissing Railway Historical Society is working on the 'Steam Tourist Train project – Fire Up 503' to get the train back on the tracks for tourist rides. A new committee is hoping to fire up an old steam-engine locomotive that's been sitting around for decades in North Bay and turn it into the city's newest tourist attraction. The Nipissing Railway Historical Society is working on the 'Steam Tourist Train project – Fire Up 503' to get the train back on the tracks for tourist rides. Nipissing train2 The Nipissing Railway Historical Society is working on the 'Steam Tourist Train project – Fire Up 503' to get the train back on the tracks for tourist rides. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Train 4 Before it was decommissioned when the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission shifted to diesel engines in the 1950s or 1960s, the 503 was a mixed-use and yard locomotive. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Committee director Bill Ferguson hopes to see the old 503 steam engine back on the tracks. 'This is a railway town, right? We've had three major railways here,' Ferguson told CTV News, while walking around the locomotive. 'We don't have a lot of symbols (about) our railway heritage. If you drive across the north to other communities, you'll find locomotives in much better condition. You'll find other pieces of equipment. You might even find museums dedicated to the railway.' Decommissioned decades ago Before it was decommissioned when the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission shifted to diesel engines in the 1950s or 1960s, the 503 was a mixed-use and yard locomotive. Ontario Northland sold the engine to the city for a dollar. It ended up in a few locations, one being Lee Park on Memorial Drive, before it wound up beside the bus terminal on Wyld Street near the beach volleyball court, where it currently is collecting cobwebs. Train 3 Committee director Bill Ferguson hopes to see the old 503 steam engine back on the tracks. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Ferugson said that parts of the train have been stolen over the years. 'So a group of individuals got together and said, 'We've got to do something about this,'' he said. There are two ideas in development: put it back on the rails as a tourist ride between North Bay and Bonfield for special occasions like Mother's Day, Father's Day and Canada Day; or, at the bare minimum, restore it for a better static display and move it somewhere else in the city. It's estimated it would cost $2.7 million to refurbish the old engine, complete with a new boiler, new tubes and new controls. 'Pretty exciting' 'Over the next year, we're getting the business plan worked out, looking at operating rights,' Ferguson said. 'We would need somewhere to drive it.' City councillor Gary Gardiner would like to see the 503 on the rails again. The city's municipal heritage committee is currently exploring its options. 'Whether we would transfer that asset to the 503 Fire Up committee, or we would retain ownership and provide a memorandum of understanding as to how it operates,' he said. 'I think it's pretty exciting.' If the locomotive can be restored, the goal is to get the train ready for rides again within the next four years. If that can't be done, the society does have a backup plan. 'We do have lines on a couple of other locomotives that could be used instead,' Ferugson said. But until he knows more about the future, he plans to keep the revival plan chugging along.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How to celebrate Mother's Day in Connecticut: 8 activities around the state
As April comes to a close, Mother's Day is getting closer, this year falling on Sunday, May 11. While many celebrate Mother's Day with sentimental gifts, others may be looking for an activity to celebrate the women in their lives. Luckily, Connecticut has plenty of fun outings that mom, aunt or grandma would enjoy. Whether the mother figures in your life like live music, a nice meal, outdoor activities or simple relaxation, the state is sure to have the perfect Mother's Day activity for all. Here are eight things to do for Mother's Day in Connecticut. If mom is a fan of flowers, take her to Wicked Tulips, a flower farm with the biggest you-pick-tulip event in New England, complete with over 1.5 million blooming tulips of various colors and 75 varieties. Tickets for Wicked Tulips must be pre-purchased online for a specific date and time. Admission, which includes 10 tulips, costs $5 for kids or $20-25 for adults, depending on the day. Additional tulips can be purchased for $1.25 per stem. Wicked Tulips is open from April 24 through May 9 in Preston, with hours from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Pamper mom with an elegant afternoon tea service aboard the Essex Steam Train. The train's "Mommy & Me Tea" event takes guests on a scenic 90-minute train ride through the Connecticut River Valley in a restored 1920s era Pullman Dining car. Dress in your Sunday best, listen to comforting classical music and take in the scenery while enjoying an assortment of teas, finger sandwiches and pastries. Mommy & Me Tea is offered at noon on both May 10 and May 11, with tickets starting at $54.99. Holiday history: Mother's Day is coming up. Here's when the holiday is in 2025 If mom likes the performing arts, consider spending Mother's Day at Middletown's Wadsworth Mansion. Ballet Hartford will be putting on a special Mother's Day performance of "Sleeping Beauty," followed by a luncheon with tea sandwiches and sweet treats. Performances will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, and tickets cost $70 per person. While Mother's Day brunch is offered at tons of restaurants in Connecticut, one venue in Portland is hosting a special lavish brunch that will make mom feel like a queen. At Saint Clements Castle and Marina, mom can enjoy brunch in a literal castle from the 1800s, complete with lush surrounding grounds and breathtaking waterfront views of the Connecticut River. The castle's Mother's Day brunch includes a gourmet buffet of decadent desserts and chef-inspired dishes, including a personalized omelet station, sliced prime rib and a wall full of donuts. Tickets to the brunch cost $70 for adults or $30 for children ages 4-12. Reservations can be made online for 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon or 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 11. For moms who would love a day on the water, the Connecticut River Museum hosts special Mother's Day cruises on two of their boats: RiverQuest, a tour boat that explores the river's ecology and wildlife, and Onrust, a re-creation of a 1614 sailboat. On May 11, RiverQuest will offer hour-long cruises at 10 a.m. and noon, and Onrust will offer a 90-minute cruise at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for mom and children or $20 for other adults. Spring weather: When is the last frost date in Connecticut? What to know if you're gardening this spring Does mom love a good glass of wine? Treat her to a fancy day of wine tasting. This year, Aquila's Nest Vineyards in Newtown is hosting a gourmet chocolate and wine pairing at noon on Saturday, May 10. Held in the vineyard's grand piano wine tasting room, this two-hour Mother's Day event will include a sample of four nuanced wines and award-winning smooth chocolates. Tickets, which must be reserved online, cost $37 per person. If you and mom are the active type, consider running a race together on Mother's Day. This year, the annual Bridgeport Hospital Mother's Day 5K will start at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, May 11, starting and ending at the hospital's Milford Campus. The event not only consists of a 5K, but fitness options for the whole family: a timed 5K run and walk, a 3K walk and a kid's fun run for ages nine and under. Registration for the races costs $35 for adults or $15 for students ages 10-18, while the kid's fun run is free to enter. Prizes will be distributed to the top runners, as well as the fastest mother-daughter and mother-son teams. Spring activities: 5 Connecticut flower farms where you can pick your own bouquet this spring For the moms who love to shop, head over to Bozrah Farmer's Market on Saturday, May 10 for a special Mother's Day Market full of handmade clothing, fresh baked pastries, unique crafts, flowers, plants and plenty of other goods from local vendors. From 11 a.m.-2 p.m., enjoy a day of shopping, food trucks and live music with mom. This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Mother's Day 2025: 8 things to do in Connecticut
