Vol. 17 No. 12
December, 1987
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Stay Safe in 87
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Continued Success
Wished to Museum
After 20 Years
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Omer Lavallee
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Unveiling
Ceremony: John Corby, who retired as curator, industrial technology at the NMST in Ottawa, makes a few
remarks at the 1986 unveiling of locomotive stamps. Looking on is Omer Lavallee and Dr. Bill McGowan, director of the
NMST.
The National Museum of Science and Technology (NMST) in
Ottawa marked its twentieth anniversary in November.
One of several such federal institutions in the nation's capital, the NMST was, and is, of special interest to me
because it includes transport among its many and diverse terms of reference.
Moreover, transportation artifacts take up the lion's share of the NMST's space, not only at its nominal headquarters
at 1867 St. Laurent Boulevard in Ottawa, but also at Rockcliffe Airport, where the truly superb national aircraft
collection is housed and exhibited.
Considering that there is no country in the world whose development has been more dependent upon transportation and
communications than Canada, it is surprising that the transportation collection has not been established as a museum
in its own right, or as several transport museums representing the different modes.
The aeronautical collection at Rockcliffe is about to move into new quarters so that it will become a distinct modal
museum in fact, though not in name.
MUSEUM DEVELOPED IMPRESSIVELY
DESPITE HANDICAPS
Despite space handicaps, the NMST has developed impressively since its establishment in 1967. This has been due
largely to the efforts of its two dedicated and hard-working directors.
The NMST's first director was Dr. David M. Baird, who I met in connection with the transfer of several CPR steam
locomotives and cars to the collection when the museum opened. Subsequently, we developed a close friendship.
A similar cordial relationship has continued in recent years with Dr. Baird's successor, Dr. William (Bill) McGowan,
who has invited me to officiate at several functions, the latest of which was the opening of the VIA Rail Canada
exhibit of "Park" car murals earlier this year.
However, the NMST person best known to railroaders and train buffs alike is John Corby, who retired as curator,
industrial technology last spring.
John was responsible for the conception and implementation of the NMST-operated Gatineau Valley tourist
train, which operated in the summer up to 1985. Essential to this operation was a full mechanical restoration,
carried out under Mr. Corby's expert supervision, of former CPR class G5 4-6-2 No. 1201, which has been
a part of the NMST's collection since 1967.
With the full support of his directors, John was responsible also for planning and overseeing No. 1201's occasional
trips farther afield, notably at CP Rail's "Last Spike" Centennial and at Expo '86 in Vancouver.
I'm sure that my readers join me in wishing even greater success for the NMST in the years to come.
This CP Rail News article is copyright
1987 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.
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