Railway Restoration Projects

Restoration of  Gainsborough Railway Station

and Current Projects 

     Gainsborough Railway Station

     The Gainsborough Railway Station was moved in 1972 to save it from being torn down.  It was built in 1928.  The Gainsborough paper reported "What do you give a man who has everything for a birthday present?  Give him a railway station."  It was written by Olive Murray.  The power lines down main street and along the route had to be raised so the station could be moved.  Hobbs moved it to save the history of this historical landmark.  Upstairs Hilda Hobbs found telegrams from the war department informing mothers of their sons' death during World War II.   The building, of considerable size was in the Tudor style according to Hilda Hobbs.

 It was converted into the Gainsborough Art School.  At the same time they purchased Canadian Pacific Railway artifacts.

                The station was later sold to a farmer, but Hobbs' daughter hopes to one day see it converted into a museum for Hobbs art.

Gainsborough Station

Painted 1974

Painting of Gainsborough Station in historical setting with Hobbs in 2004. 

In 1998, at 71, Hobbs was restoring an old farm house and fell off the second story roof.  He broke both arms and it was questionable whether he would paint again.  The price of his art skyrocketed and it was impossible to find anything to buy.  Fortunately, he came back even more  determined to  paint 8 hours a day.  He says the commissions keep coming in and he doesn't want to let anyone down.  For the past three years, he's had a steady stream of people beating a path to his door with small town stations to paint.  He's also had the pleasure of painting for the Canadian military.

Click here for .pdf file on the work 

Double Heritage Award Winner for Restoration of architectural treasure

 Award Winner 

Current Station Restoration Projects:

 Destination of Dreams

Canadian Pacific Railway Station - Regina, Saskatchewan  1892-1911

Get on board Canada's First "GREEN" Heritage Train Station Restoration Project!

Box 952, Rivers Manitoba   ROK 1X0

Town of Rivers Restoration Project

Link to prints for sale in Pierson, Manitoba: 

 SOLD OUT IN PIERSON

Souris Station is available at the Hillcrest Museum (18X24) parlaval@mts.net proceeds go towards painting Hillcrest's exterior woodwork.  $50. each print.  SOLD OUT.

The Beautiful Plains Museum in Neepawa

A fundraising project is the sale of prints of paintings done by Dr. William Hobbs of Boissevain. He has painted several train stations, including Neepawa CN station circa 1920. Prints are available for $50. The original is currently on display in the window of Harris Pharmacy. For more information call Alan at (204) 476-2723 or Don at (204) 476-5131.

Portage la Prairie

CP Rail Station Committee. Save the CPR Station committee co-chairman Vic Edwards is currently negotiating the sale of the Hobbs painting of the 111 year old station in Portage la Prairie, which will net the committee $1,000.  Hobbs is also letting the committee sell reproductions of the work to raise funds for the restoration of the Portage CPR station.

Edwards said the sale of the Hobbs reprints has already raised $600 for the committee, with the possibility of future sales.

Click here for prints at Museum Gift Store

Threshermen's Museum launching drive for train station restoration

By Lorne Stelmach

A part of Morden's history still stands at the Pembina Threshermen's Museum but is in need of a fix-up.

The museum board, as a result, is taking it on as a three year project starting next year.

The museum is launching a donation drive for the restoration work on the former Morden train station in conjunction with its annual meeting next week.

The project was identified as a priority under the museum's mission to restore and preserve the region's heritage.

Work will begin in the spring of 2010 with new shingles as well as some new roof boards and new facia being added. The project will continue in 2011 and 2012 with work on the siding, windows and trim.

In addition, the museum board is also looking to have the train station designated as a municipal heritage site.

Donations can be made to the Pembina Threshermen's Museum, Box 1103, Winkler, MB, R6W 4B2. Donations of $20 or more will receive a tax receipt.

The Morden railway station is a similar design to others that were found across southern Manitoba locations including Boissevain, Hartney, Virden and Winkler.

The Morden train station was designed by Ralph B. Pratt in 1899. Building of the station began in 1905, but construction was delayed until 1906.

The station was in operation until the late 1960s and was moved to the museum grounds in 1972.

 Hobbs also saved this one room school house in Gainsborough and converted it into an art studio.

If you want your project added email JOHNGBEESON@gmail.com and it will be considered with pleasure.