All Aboard! Come, Ride the Rails with Lori and Doug

Lori and Doug MacDonald

For over 20 years, a colourful hobby has kept Lori and Doug MacDonald on track—they drive old gas-powered railcars, called “speeders,” across Canada.

In early July, the couple embarked on a week-long, 837km excursion through the rolling prairies, starting in Manitoba and traversing much of Saskatchewan.

Lori, 63, and Doug, 65, made the move up to Peace River in 1987 and started their family shortly after. The couple raised two daughters and now they have a seven-year-old grandson. Currently, Doug works for Telus and Lori is a nurse with Primary Care Alberta.

“In 1996, a railcar speeder excursion came through Peace River. We went to see it and were introduced to the hobby,” said Lori. “When we heard CN was selling off their motor cars, which they replaced with hi-rail trucks, we purchased a couple speeders. Today, they cost roughly $5,000.”

The MacDonalds joined the North American Railcar Operators Association (NARCOA) and updated their speeders to be compliant with the association’s rules—the rest is history.

“The railcars are simple to operate for the most part. There’s forward, reverse and high or low gear,” said Lori. “And, anyone can become a NARCOA member for $35 USD. Then, to participate in an excursion, you just need to pass an exam and be mentored the first time you go out with a group.”

For these excursions participants must purchase NARCOA’s insurance, and there is a cost for each excursion.

“The excursions are about $200 per day, sometimes more or less.” said Lori.

The MacDonalds mentored excursion was between Lesser Slave Lake and Great Slave Lake in 2004. Since then, they have been on about 12 excursions—a couple times on Vancouver Island, twice through Peace River and the rest in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

“We were able to join an excursion that went from Slave Lake to Hay River,” said Lori. “We passed through Peace River. I was thrilled to be able to ride our speeder across the trestle on the East Hill and then the train bridge across the Peace River. That was about 20 years ago.”

For many years, a one-mile track built at the Peace River Ag Fairgrounds has kept the MacDonalds busy during special times of the year.

“We were given a larger speeder to give rides during events at the grounds such as the annual Pow Wow,” said Lori.

However, for the MacDonalds, there is nothing like a big excursion. Their latest one ran from July 5-11. It started with a long ride on the Great Lakes Railcars Inc. Boundary Trail Railway in Manitoba—from Manitou to Morden and back (135km).

“We average 20km per hour on a straight track. We slow down or stop at crossings and use flags to alert the railcar behind us. Most of us have radio headsets to keep in touch,” said Lori.

Train conductors stay well informed, and a railroad escort is often in communication with them, so participants need not worry about getting in a collision with a train.

“As you can imagine, safety is a priority, so there’s a code of conduct,” said Lori.

No alcohol or smoking is permitted, and participants all wear safety vests and ankle high boots. Also, children under five years old are not allowed.

“On July 7, it was the Long Creek Railroad Company (LCRC) in Saskatchewan, which goes from Estevan to Tribune and back, about 80 miles,” said Lori. “Typically, short-line railroads are used. They treat us very well. LCRC, for example, arranged something special. We were treated to pizza in one of their old grain elevators.”

Each excursion has an excursion coordinator (EC) who makes all the prior arrangements with the host railway.

“Our EC was Michael Ford from Indiana,” said Lori. “The majority of members are from the US. Other Canadians in our group included a couple from Edmonton, two couples from Saskatchewan and two brothers from Quebec. There were 12 railcars on this trip. Usually, the maximum number is 25, but it varies.”

Still in Saskatchewan, on July 8 the crew rode the Red Coat Road and Rail, from Willows to Ogema and back (167km).

“On July 9, we took the Great Western Railway from Assiniboia to Shaunavon where we left our speeders on a spur right beside the Canalta Hotel and spent the night there. That day was 106 miles,” said Lori. “The next day was Shaunavon to Consul and back, which was 124 miles.”

Lastly, they put in a 170km day riding from Shaunavon to Assiniboia in Saskatchewan.

“When we start rolling down the track, and I hear the click-clack of the rails and feel the motion of the speeder, that’s my nirvana," said Lori. “We shared this experience with my oldest sister and brother-in-law, who were able to join us on our last day. Now, they’re both hooked and looking to get a speeder.”

For people interested in picking up this adventurous hobby, a NARCOA membership comes with access to plenty of online information—including info on speeders and parts for sale, and there’s a newsletter too. Some members continue to be active their 80s and 90s.

“Excursions are posted on the website with contact details if you want to sign up for one,” said Lori. “If anyone is interested in learning more about the hobby, you can contact Doug at 780-625-4350,” said Lori. “We have come to know other NARCOA members, and they are like family after a while.”

By Tormaigh Van Slyke | Photography submitted