Things are as busy as ever at the Fixit Club in Rainy River. Gord Armstrong was showing off some of the projects nearing completion at the club. This past year has seen the installation of the wooden play train structure in Hannam Park. It is regularly festooned with kids emphasizing its popularity.
Members have been busy on other projects including the restoration of this old CN Hand car or “Jigger” that saw service for many decades ferrying maintenance crews up and down the line. Many a maintenance crew before the advent of modern communications relates tales of coming around a bend to see a freight bearing down on them. Then making an emergency stop, jumping off the jigger and four people quickly lifting it off the track before the train did it for them.
The restored Jigger will be displayed by the 4008 engine along with the manual one man handcar restored last year. Retired railroader Rick Peterson of Rainy River is the restorer-in -chief.
Members at the Fixit Club have other projects on the go. Gord Armstrong holds up a wooden soldier straight out of the Nutcracker Suite. I expect you’ll see it lighted on someone’s lawn shortly.
And the side of a newly painted car either destined for a life as a toy box or a bunk bed is drying on a bench. These are the last of this year, projects that have included a beautiful oak library.
The Fixit Club welcomes new members and meets the second Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. in the front of the Town Maintenance/Firehall. Come out to see what they have and perhaps start a project of your own.
