June 19, 2024

Update: Winnipeg Railway Museum and Streetcar 356

On June 18th, 2024, the Midwestern Rail Association announced the completion of a 25 year agreement with VIA Rail Canada that will see the Winnipeg Railway Museum remain in the historic Union Station at 123 Main Street. Val Cousineau, President of Midwestern Rail Association, made the announcement at the railway station. This is good news for Heritage Winnipeg’s Streetcar 356, Winnipeg’s last known wooden streetcar, which is being rehabilitated at the museum.

The Winnipeg Railway Museum, located on tracks 1 and 2 of Union Station, closed in December 2021 due to safety concerns and required building upgrades. Since then, VIA Rail Canada has replaced the roof, windows and lighting in the train shed which the museum is located. The next phase of construction will involve the museum replacing the east wall, installing new doors on both ends of the shed and redesigning their exhibits. Work will commence with the approval of Parks Canada. It is hoped that with sufficient funding found, work will be completed and the Winnipeg Railway Museum will be able to reopen to the public in 2025.

Greg Agnew, Heritage Winnipeg’s President and Chair of the Streetcar 356 Committee, attended the event with about a dozen other individuals. After speeches, Gord Leathers, Director of Public Relations for the Winnipeg Railway Museum, gave a tour of the museum, sharing stories of the many artifacts held in the collection. It was followed by Agnew giving a tour of Streetcar 356 along with a presentation on the rehabilitation project. The event allowed for stakeholders to share their progress and their goals, ensuring everyone is working together to conserve and celebrate Winnipeg’s built and transportation history.

With this first phase of construction complete at the Winnipeg Railway Museum, work on Streetcar 356 can finally resume after being on pause for several years. We are pleased to welcome four new volunteers to the rehabilitation team: Jessica, Michael, Chris and Roger. The group will be meeting with Agnew and making plans to see what work can be completed this summer and into the fall. More updates on Streetcar 356 will be posted as progress is made.

Heritage Winnipeg is thrilled that the wheels keep rolling on all these important projects!

Thank you to Greg Agnew for the updates!