Thursday Jun 06 Cloudy, cool, & windy Cranbrook, BC
Friend Garnett and I visited the Cranbrook History Centre today. On the way there we passed this diesel locomotive pair:
CP 4090 (FA2) & CP 4469 (FB2). These engines were designed to haul freight trains. Here's an interesting story about CP4090.
The primary reason for visiting the Centre was to see the
passenger cars on display. Of particular interest to both of us was the Trans Canada Limited 1929.
"The seven railcar lineup of the Trans Canada Limited gives you a look at one of the highest class passenger trains ever built. The Trans Canada operated from 1919 to 1930 and boasted intricate woodwork, stylish design, and superior craftsmanship. This deluxe hotel on wheels was opulent luxury for travelers." Cranbrook History Centre website
The cars were spectacular. The inlaid wood work was incredible. Take a look.
We were told by the tour guide that when old passenger cars were retired, the wood ones were set on fire and the steel cars were gutted and sold for scrap. Apparently any item in a car that an employee wanted, could be removed and taken home.
The cabinet (right) was removed and for years used in a chicken coop. Children of the couple who had the cabinet found an inscription on the back of the cabinet: Canadian Pacific Railway.
They contacted the CPR and as it turns out, this cabinet is the one that was on this very same passenger car. It even had the name of the car inscribed on the back. Amazing.
The seven cars were truly magnificent. What a display for all generations to enjoy. Let's hope the Centre are able to raise sufficient funds to fully enclose all of the rolling stock. Weather is certainly not a friend of these artifacts.
The other two tours (we did all three tours available) were not nearly as impressive as the Trans Canada. But there were many examples of just what the Centre has had to deal with in acquiring and restoring this vintage rail cars.
Many of the wood interiors of the passenger cars were painted over with lead paint. While the appearance is very institutional, the lead paint actually preserved the fine and intricate woodwork underneath. One of the wooden passenger cars on the Soo-Spokane tour had been left unprotected over the years. The interior varnish on the woodwork was very unsightly and rough. So lead paint was good in this case.
The green velour pieces in these pictures are the original seats that were found quite by accident some years ago. Other than a few racoon "scratches", the fabric is in remarkably good condition.
Here's a bedroom with ensuite. Check out the sink. It flips up to expose a seat. When the seat is closed, the toilet is available. So much functionality is such a small space!
In the beginning...
If you are ever in the Cranbrook, BC area, do yourself a favour and visit the Cranbrook History Centre. The Trans Canada Limited 1929 is definitely worth the money; the other two, shorter, tours not so much.
And if you are a model train enthusiast, I have not mentioned, nor did I take any pictures of, the two large layouts down-stairs. Both have push buttons so you can watch the trains scoot around the track. The HO scale layout depicts the Cranbrook yard, roundhouse, and environs while the 2- and 3-rail O gauge layout has numerous trains on different levels. Scenery on this one is literally floor to ceiling. Quite impressive.
Other than a visit to Happy Cow Handcrafted Ice Cream in the afternoon, that's it for today.
See you next time.
Back in the main building, I visited the Royal Alexandra Hall. Please take a moment to click the link. It is an interesting story about how this piece of Winnipeg history ended up in Cranbrook.
