Exhibits assistant Devan Scott will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the first passenger train.

1 July 2011

Museum Lays Tracks for 125th Anniversary

Port Moody British Columbia - All aboard!
 
The Port Moody Station Museum is hosting a three-day celebration to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the first passenger train to arrive in the city.
 
Jim Millar, manager of the Port Moody Station Museum, outlined the years leading up to the historic arrival.
 
In 1871, British Columbia was promised a railway link to the rest of Canada for joining Confederation. The Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. (CPR) was created in 1881 after a decade of wrangling.
 
The following year, the CPR's western terminus station was built in Port Moody. They proceeded to simultaneously build the railway east from Port Moody and west from Montreal. On 7 Nov 1885, they met in Craigellachie, B.C., where the last spike was driven into the ground.
 
The first scheduled passenger train arrived at Port Moody's station on 4 Jul 1886.
 
"It was only five cars, including the baggage car," Millar said. "There were a few dignitaries on it. The prime minister (Sir John A. Macdonald) came about two weeks later."
 
After the 139-hour journey, the train was only one minute late, he added. At the time, it was the longest scheduled passenger train ride in the world.
 
Port Moody remained CPR's terminus station until 23 May 1887, when Vancouver became the end point of the line.
 
The train continued to stop at the Port Moody station until 1971. After that, passengers needed to board the train in either Port Coquitlam or Vancouver, Millar said.
 
In 1976, CPR stopped offering passenger service. VIA Rail ran on the CP tracks for two years before switching to Canadian National Railway Company (CN) lines in 1978.
 
The Port Moody Station Museum will mark the 125th anniversary of the first passenger train arrival with a weekend of family fun.
 
Today (Friday), the Greater Vancouver Garden Railway Club will display their G-Scale model trains. The Morse Telegraph Society will demonstrate telegraphy skills. As well, local artist J. Peachy will be painting on site. His piece "The Station" will be available through a sealed-bid auction.
 
On Saturday and Sunday, the Vancouver Lego Club will set up a Lego train display. In addition, costumed heritage actors will rove the site all weekend to take visitors back to 1886.
 
"We have some volunteers that are going to be in costume and acting out some different thoughts of how things might have happened 125 years ago," Millar said. "It should be a fun family event."
 
The Golden Spike scavenger hunt will be included in the weekend's festivities, as will a dress-up photo station, railway crafts, and free cake. The event will also celebrate Heritage Canada funding to build a cover for the 1921 rail car displayed in the museum's parking lot.
 
The 125th anniversary celebration takes place 1 to 3 Jul 2011 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2734 Murray St. in Port Moody.
 
For more information, visit www.portMoodyMuseum.org or call 604-939-1648.
 
Jennifer McFee.