It was a successful season as the Western Development Museum's K+S Potash Canada Shortline 101 returned to the tracks after a two-year hiatus. While the season is over now, the tracks were well used during the summer.

"We operated for eleven days this season," explained Karla Rasmussen, the WDM's Education/Public Programs Coordinator. "Which was down a little bit basically because we had a late start because we were waiting for the weather to turn nice for the big kick-off there, but, in those eleven days we had almost 2100 visitors come. So [they came] from all over the place, locals of course, but also people from across the province and further."

With so many people interested in the train, museum attendance was their third highest this year compared to the last five.

The trained locomotive operators and volunteer conductors now get a break as the train was tucked away for the cold weather. Using the same rails that make up the track, they led the 1914 Vulcan steam engine back into the garage until next year.

"We tuck it in for the winter, you know there's a few things that have to be done," Rasmussen added. "We have to drain the water out of the boiler and what not but then it goes to sleep and we're looking forward, already, to next season and we're hoping to have her out again for the May long weekend in 2019."

Also, next Spring, they plan to offer training courses at the WDM to certify people to operate the steam locomotive.

As for the bell that was stolen off of the train, Rasmussen said they don't have any leads yet, but they are actively trying to find a replacement. The bell wasn't original to our train, but it was an authentic one, and the museum is having a little problem finding a replacement.