The short line rail from Cudworth to Wakaw has a new role within the region with the opening of the Wheatland Express.
Sounds of ‘all aboard’ were heard in Cudworth on June 2 with the ribbon cutting ceremony to launch the first of many excursions aboard the tourist train. Partnering with Great
Sandhills Railway Ltd., the Wheatland Express excursion travels from Cudworth to Wakaw and back again with Saskatchewan entertainment and food on board.
Joan Wassill with the Wheatland says the new attraction is providing many opportunities for the surrounding area and Saskatchewan with many new jobs, innovations, and new business ventures coming from the attraction.
“Perry Pellerin’s (CEO of Great Sandhills Railway) vision is to have an open door for growth and development,” says Wassill.
Many notable Saskatchewan political figures were in Cudworth to celebrate Wheatland’s first departure, including David Marit, Minister of Highways and Infrastructure, MP for Carlton Trail Eagle Creek Kelly Block, MLA for Batoche Delbert Kirsch, and various mayors and reeves from the surrounding areas.
Surrounding communities rallied around the short line to keep it going which is why the day gave them an opportunity to celebrate, says Wassill.
“We’re here creating something new and something diverse together with these communities,” says Wassill.
Marit says this is also a way to preserve the history of Saskatchewan.
“The Wheatland Express to me is the perfect example of how we as residents of Saskatchewan want to preserve our history and let others see just how we’ve grown to become a province and what we are today.”
Just 15 short line rail lines still exist in Saskatchewan, many of which are community and municipally owned, says Marit.
Communities want to preserve their short line rail and he is excited to see communities such as Cudworth and Wakaw succeed. In the southern portion of the province, communities are not as successful, he says.
“I never want to see another rail lifted from the province of Saskatchewan and down in my part of the world we saw a lot of them being yanked out. I hope we don’t see anymore of that.”
The railway built Canada and Saskatchewan, said Kirsch in a short history of theimportance of the railway in Saskatchewan.
Many people’s ancestors came to Saskatchewan on a rail line, including many in the Cudworth and Wakaw area. Riding the rail now means riding a piece of history, says Kirsch. The Wheatland Express and their staff are giving people that opportunity, he says.
“I hope many more people take the opportunity to experience what is available here.”
