"At the junction of the rivers (Bow and Elbow) on Section 14, is the town of Calgary, which will soon become one of the most important places in the Northwest. Its geological position, picturesque sites, proximity to the Rocky Mountains, access to wood and timber by way of both rivers, and its ample supply of excellent water, all contribute to this end."

Calgary - A hundred years ago when C.F. LaRue first penned those prophetic words in his "Town-sites of the Northwest Territories," Calgary was little more than a ragtag collection of tents on the Red River cart route between Fort Macleod and Fort Edmonton.

On the eastern horizon, however, were the ribbons of steel that would change forever the character and importance of the frontier settlement. With the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in August of 1883, Calgary's foundations were laid.

Maintenance Centre:  More than 500 employees work around the clock servicing locomotives at the Alyth Diesel Shop. Another 250 are employed at the one-spot shop.

NEW CORE

Today, the century-old bond between the city and the railway is as strong and productive as ever. The two have matured well together.

Calgary is Canada's largest city by land area, 193 square miles (499 square kilometres), and at 600,000 population, is 1,000 times larger than it was in the days of C.F. LaRue.

In the heart of the city's spanking new core, surrounding the distinctive Calgary Tower, is the nerve centre of CP Rail's Calgary Division, Palliser Square. Since the railway's arrival, the Calgary headquarters have more or less remained at the same location.

From Palliser Square, Superintendent Mike Stroick oversees a compact but extremely busy division consisting of almost 500 miles (800 kilometres) of track and 1,500 employees who contribute almost $40 million annually to the community.

RAILROADER'S RAILROADER

"Calgary is a fascinating city in which to live and work," says Mr. Stroick, who, by the way, is quite probably one of the city's most active ambassadors. "The relationship between the railway and the city is much more than a business partnership. After all, we're the primary character in the city's history and an important component in its economy. We work hand in hand."

Mr. Stroick is a railroader's railroader. A native Calgarian, he joined CP Rail as a switch tender. He worked his way up the ranks serving as appointed superintendent in January, 1974.

"Despite all the gloom and doom talk about the economy, Calgary is still the place to be. The city's still a youngster and it's got lots of time and room to grow. The opportunities here are endless, particularly for the railway," he says.

Heart of the Matter:  The Alyth Yard, built between 1968 and 1971, is the heart of the Calgary Division. Seen here is the yard's diesel shop.

The heart of Calgary Division is Alyth Yard, a beehive of railway activity. Built between 1968 and 1971 at a cost of more than $14 million, Alyth handles more than 2,000 cars a day. Since the implementation of the $5-million Yard Activity Reporting System (YARDS,) in September, 1982, Alyth's efficiency has improved vastly.

"It's an incredibly sophisticated system and, with the introduction later this year of the new GRS computerized humping system, we'll be one of, if not the most, efficient rail yard in the country," Mr. Stroick says.

"And with an eye on the projected traffic increases we expect, and hope, to see during the next few years, we'll be right on top of things. We're confident we'll have the infrastructure in place to handle whatever's thrown at us."

Calgary Division is also the primary centre for maintenance, servicing, and repair for the Pacific Region. About 500 employees work around the clock servicing locomotives at the Alyth Diesel Shop. Another 250 are employed at the one-spot shop where repairs are conducted on rolling stock.

"It's sometimes difficult to grasp the total effect CP Rail has on Calgary. Its impact is everywhere. No doubt about it, Calgary's a CP Rail city," Mr. Stroick says.

This CP Rail News article is copyright 1983 by the Canadian Pacific Railway and is reprinted here with their permission. All photographs, logos, and trademarks are the property of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company.