25 June 2008
Town Celebrates 100-Year-Old Trestle
One of several trains towing cargo crosses over the
100-year-old CP Rail trestle Thursday afternoon. On Saturday, Parry Sound area residents and visiting train buffs
celebrated the trestle's anniversary with music, diplays, and speeches.
Parry Sound Ontario - Historic images, murals, music, and
trains marked the 100th anniversary of one of the oldest, longest rail trestles in Canada Saturday.
About 200 people gathered in the Bobby Orr Community Centre to kick off the trestle's anniversary celebrations - marking 100 years
after about 5,000 men completed the three-year construction project to connect the rail line across the Seguin River.
The Canadian Pacific Railway trestle, which spans the town's main street, overlooking Georgian Bay, saw its first train cross on a
Monday afternoon - 14 Jun 1908. Exactly 100 years later, a group of children shouted and pointed as one of several trains
crossed the trestle, pointing with awe as they rumbled across what looks like a narrow thread across the skyline.
Parry Sound residents and out-of-town train buffs
explore a visiting engine on Church Lane during the 100th anniversary of the CP Rail trestle that crosses the Seguin River and James
Street.
John Gibbons, who retired as a CN Rail worker last summer after working for the line for 35 years, joined those looking at old photos
of the rail line after opening ceremonies Saturday.
"It's a one-of-a-kind trestle," Mr. Gibbons said. "She's high, long, and in really good shape. It's
something well worth celebrating."
Heinz Fredersdorff, looking over a visiting locomotive emblazoned with logos for the 2010 winter Olympics in Vancouver, said the day's
events brought back memories of his career working with American railway lines based in Chicago.
"It was a different era when I worked there 55 years ago, but this brings back lots of memories. Lots of them," he said.
"People thought it was scary to cross this trestle, I guess, but it's one of the strongest."
For nine-year-old Jacob Healey, it was more about exploring, as he wandered through the CP Rail diesel engine. For his
family, it was about their own heritage, as Jacob is named after one of two uncles who were engineers on the railway line.
The day's events started with a pancake breakfast, followed by opening ceremonies, hosted by Parry Sound Mayor Richard Adams. A group
of Parry Sound youth joined local songwriter Ruth Downs on stage to sing a song dedicated by the trestle, followed by traditional First
Nation drumming led by John Rice.
Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Tony Clement also spoke to residents.
"I know it's a very special moment for Parry Sounders to look back at their heritage and the history," he said. "You
really can't talk about Parry Sound without mentioning the train trestle".
"This is not only a history of Parry Sound, it's a history of our province's and country's desire to be connected", said Mr.
Clement.
"We are celebrating our past and our heritage, but.. Parry Sound has a very, very bright future as well," Mr. Clement said.
"We have to celebrate our past, we have to remember our past, but we must remember our future for our children and grandchildren,
which looks very, very good indeed."
Visitors also checked out rail displays at the old CP station, the Parry Sound Public Library, and the West Parry Sound District
Museum. The evening included a barbecue dinner and live entertainment with about 50 people in attendance.
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