Public Relations and
Advertising Department
Windsor Station Montreal Que. H3C
3E4
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Volume 11
Number 9
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July 8,
1981
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Old Steam Engine a Hit at
Angus Fete
By Michel Spenard
Full Steam Ahead: More than
24,000 people flooded the Angus Shops recently for the company's centennial
celebrations. On hand were locomotive Numbers 1201 and 5983, representing two
generations of motive power.
MONTREAL - "All aboard..."
the call rang out.
The whistle's screech echoed through the neighbourhood as the conductor raised his
hand in the traditional highball signal.
Slowly, as exhaust steam was ejected from the cylinders, the engine's drivers slowly
started to turn and the massive steam locomotive started to roll.
Reminiscent of train service from days gone by, on this day Number 1201 was back
home again at Angus Shops, after 38 years.
Built at Angus in 1944, the Pacific type, class G5a locomotive 1201 was back to help
more than 24,000 members of the CP Rail family celebrate the company's 100th
birthday.
Months of planning and attention to hundreds of details by the shops' Family Day
committee paid off as employees, their families, pensioners, and their spouses
joined the birthday celebrations at CP Rail's largest maintenance and repair
facility.
Hauling approximately 150 passengers on each of its half-hourly runs
around the shops area, Number 1201 proved to be one of the main attractions of the
day.
ATTENTION GETTER
Another attention getter was again a steam locomotive, but this time it was
considerably smaller than Number 1201. Jack Hewitson, recently retired from CP
Rail's mechanical department, ran his live-steam miniature trains on a
fixed 100-foot length of track. Completely manufactured and assembled
by Mr. Hewitson and operating on a boiler pressure of 100 pounds, these locomotives,
one-sixteenth the size of the prototype, hauled one operator and four
young passengers on specially-designed bench seats.
Machinery and first-aid demonstrations as well as entertainment and
food stands distributing free hot dogs and refreshments drew the crowd to the four
corners of the shops. Tour cars travelled throughout the day shuttling the party
goers to all of the various activities.
Pensioners received VIP treatment at the event with the Angus Training Center being
set aside as a special rendezvous area for the company's retirees and their spouses.
The walls of this area were decorated with a large montage of historical photographs
chronicling the shops growth and development since its opening in 1904. Many
pensioners and long-service employees were able to identify themselves
or friends and co-workers in the pictorial display.
The recently released Canadian Pacific Centennial film and a CP Rail slide show
drew continuous crowds while equally popular practical demonstrations from the
different trades and crafts at Angus added to the number of diversions for the
employees, their wives, and children during the day.
The main stage on the shop's midway was the center of activities during the party. A
group of musicians and several folk-dance troupes provided
entertainment to the crowd throughout the day.
Clowns mingled with the crowd distributing toy trucks and balloons to children, and
posed for photographs with little tots. In addition, a pony ride was situated in
the midway. A lineup of tiny riders throughout the day testified to its popularity.
GIANT CAKE
Another feature on the midway was a giant eight by 14-foot anniversary
cake which was cut and served to all comers. Volunteers cutting and serving the
cake estimate that more than 1,400 people received a slice.
Displays of all types were spread out over the site and included a working miniature
train layout which identifies and illustrates safety hazards along railway
rights-of-way demonstrated by Canadian Pacific's Investigation
Department. Safety equipment suppliers were also present demonstrating and
explaining their products.
Drawings for various prizes were held hourly on the main stage. Gifts ranged from
Royal Canadian Mint coins and 10-speed bicycles to such safety related
prizes as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers for the home.
The drawing for the main prize of a one-week vacation for two at any
CP Hotels resort in Canada, including transportation, three meals a day and $200
spending money was held as the final event of the day. Fernand Danserau of the
wheel and axle shop was the lucky winner of this grand prize.
This CP Rail News article is copyright 1981 by
Canadian Pacific Railway and is reprinted here with their permission. All
photographs, logos, and trademarks are the property of the Canadian
Pacific Railway Company.
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