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About Revelstoke Railway Museum
Revelstoke has deep roots with the railway. The Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society was incorporated in 1988 with the dream of bringing railway history back to Revelstoke, one of Canada’s oldest railway towns. Its major project was development and construction of the Revelstoke Railway Museum in 1993, a grass-roots project driven by community leaders and which enjoyed the broad support of Revelstoke's citizens, businesses, and the public sector. Designed by Architect Paul Hughes, the Museum was built by local craftsmen using locally-sourced timber sawn at local mills. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023 and widely recognized as one of the best small railway museums in Canada, the Museum has delighted over 500,000 visitors since opening in 1993 and has received numerous awards. For current hours of operation, please consult the Museum’s website: railwaymuseum.com.
Media Contact:
Jim Cullen
Executive Director
Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society
Phone: 250-837-6060
Email: director.railway@telus.net
Revelstoke Railway Museum Launches "Throwback Thursdays"
August 16, 2023 — The Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society (RHRS) is pleased to announce the trial of a new program: Throwback Thursdays, starting Thursday, August 24.
Throwback Thursdays will see the Museum open on Thursdays from 9 AM to 9 PM. Admissions starting at 5 PM will be a nominal $5.00 per person. In addition, on those same evenings the Museum will also host a Dungeons & Dragons game with a $10 cover charge for players. “Throwback Thursdays are a bit of a dream for us,” said Jim Cullen, Executive Director, “We have long wanted to be open at least one evening per week with nominal admission so that we are accessible to a larger audience. The Dungeons & Dragons game which will occur Thursday evenings is a fun opportunity for the Museum to welcome a new audience in a new way.” The Dungeons & Dragons game will be hosted in the front glassed-in area of the main floor and therefore will have minimal impact on museum visitors. Persons wishing to play in the game are asked to pre-register by e-mailing the Museum at railway@telus.net.
Doug Mayer Receives 2023 Railway Heritage Award
June 9, 2023 — Doug Mayer, the author of numerous books on Revelstoke’s local railway history—in addition to his role as a Trustee and as a tireless volunteer at the Revelstoke Railway Museum—was awarded the 2023 Railway Heritage Award recently. The Railway Heritage Award honours those who have contributed in a meaningful way to the preservation of railway history. The Railway Heritage Award is presented by the 7th Division (covering BC and the Yukon) of the National Model Railway Association. Initially presented in 2018, the Railway Heritage Award has recognized other significant historians annually. To be included in this group is a significant accomplishment and one that Doug is rightfully proud of. The Revelstoke Railway museum has certainly benefited from having someone of Doug’s talents to help us as we move tirelessly to meet our objectives. Well done Doug! Image caption: Doug Mayer collects the 2023 Railway Heritage Award from Ken Rutherford of the National Model Railway Association, 7th Division. Photo: Marc Simpson
Revelstoke Railway Museum Celebrates Thirty Years
June 1, 2023 — The Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society (RHRS) is pleased to celebrate the Revelstoke Railway Museum’s 30th anniversary at a special event in Revelstoke on June 16th, 2023.
The Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society was formed in 1988 with the dream of highlighting Revelstoke’s railway history in a new railway museum, featuring the story of railroading in the mountains of British Columbia. A group of local business leaders, retired CPR employees, historians and civic-minded Revelstokians worked hard to make the dream a reality. Funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, and local private and corporate donors, construction of the Revelstoke Railway Museum began in 1992 and it opened on June 16th of that year. The Museum’s unique architecture recalls Revelstoke’s historic CPR Shops and a stylized water tower. The building was constructed by local tradesmen using beams from the local Kozek Sawmill, the largest beams ever produced by that mill. Perhaps the Museum’s most popular feature is CPR steam locomotive No. 5468, on long-term loan from ExpoRail in Montreal. The locomotive worked in Revelstoke for many years and has become a local icon. Canadian Pacific Railway (now CPKC Railway) hauled No. 5468 in a special train from Montreal to Revelstoke, with a team of Museum volunteers ensuring the locomotive’s security and maintenance throughout the journey. Since opening, the Museum has delighted over 500,000 visitors from Revelstoke and around the world. Widely considered one of Canada’s best small railway museums, it has received several awards, hosted numerous special events, temporary and permanent exhibits, and has amassed a collection of over 20,000 artifacts. It is governed by a local Board of Trustees and operated by a small team of dedicated employees and volunteers, the latter collectively donating well over 1,000 hours per year. “Building the Revelstoke Railway Museum was a bold act of vision, risk taking and love for community” says RHRS President George Hopkins. “I hope the founders would be proud of the Museum’s work in both preserving a vital part of Revelstoke’s history and culture, and in serving its local communities.” “Revelstoke is the perfect place for a railway museum. It is less than an hour away from the Last Spike site at Craigellachie, the iconic Rogers Pass, and the history-rich town of Arrowhead to the South,” says Jim Cullen, RHRS Executive Director. “Its status as a ’division point‘—a major regional railway hub—and being home to the largest workshops between Winnipeg and Vancouver until 1911, meant that Revelstoke was a place of advanced technology and craftsmanship. And its status as an important railway town still resonates today.” Long before Revelstoke was a railway town, it was important territory of the Secwepemc, Sinixt, Syilx and Ktunaxa nations. The Museum is working to build connections with these nations, whose relationships with the land continue to this day, in order to better represent their involvement in the transcontinental railway in British Columbia and its impacts on them. The Museum is celebrating its 30th Anniversary with a special public event at 4:00 PM on June 16th, additional activities as part of its annual Railway Day celebration on September 24th, producing a special short video documenting the Museum’s history, and launching a special $250,000 fundraising campaign for the restoration of its nationally-significant SD40 diesel locomotive No. 5500. Built in 1966, No. 5500 was Canada’s first 3,000-horsepower diesel-electric locomotive. This highly significant artifact ushered in a whole new era of high-horsepower diesel locomotive technology and its type became widely-recognized across Canada. A private donor has committed to fund the entire design and construction of a roof structure over the locomotive, enabling the Museum to launch the largest fundraising campaign since its founding to cosmetically restore No. 5500 for the enjoyment of future generations. “We are fortunate to have such generosity in our community” says George Hopkins. “Many people do not think of diesel locomotives as historic, but the reality is that No. 5500 is already over 50 years old. The locomotives that run past our Museum daily can be viewed as the descendants of this pioneer locomotive. However, time and the elements have not been kind to No. 5500 and the Museum’s 30th Anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to ensure this pioneer locomotive’s long-term preservation.” The Museum is seeking donations for No. 5500’s restoration project. Donations can be made directly at the Museum or through the Canada Helps webpage, which issues instant tax receipts: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/revelstoke-heritage-railway-society/campaign/5500-restoration-fund/
REVELSTOKE RAILWAY MUSEUM BRINGS BACK POPULAR “RAILWAY DAY” FAMILY EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2022
Revelstoke, BC — We are pleased to announce the return of “Railway Day”, our hallmark family-friendly event, on Sunday, September 25, 2022 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. A perennial family favourite event, Railway Day was last held in 2019 before the pandemic. It’s back! — Enjoy three performances by May Davis on the Flatcar Stage. — Climb aboard some of our historic pieces of rolling stock which are normally closed, including our mighty and massive Selkirk Spreader. — Visit with some of Revelstoke’s community organizations and meet first responders. — See special demonstrations of some of our railway equipment including our beautiful newly-restored handcar. Kids can participate in face painting, get a balloon animal, enjoy an all-new scavenger hunt, and share their masterpieces in our colouring contest. Kid-friendly games are certain to please, and they can work off some of that young energy in the bouncy castle. Kids of all ages (including adults!) can dress up in their finest railway garb and compete for prizes in our costume contest. As always, we offer informative exhibits including our beautiful new exhibit “Revelstoke is a Railway Town” which celebrates Revelstoke’s colourful railway history. The Revelstoke Model Railway Club will also be on site running trains all day. If all of this makes you hungry, some of Revelstoke’s food trucks will be on site, offering something tasty to eat. As a fundraiser for the Museum, we have a 50/50 draw and a special raffle for some great prizes including an HP All-In-One computer, a Polar Express Model Train and an X-Box. This is also a great time to stock up for Christmas or buy yourself something special in our Museum Store, which will have sale prices on some items and special discounts for members. Much more is planned…follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more details in the coming weeks. Admission to the Museum and the Railway Day event are by donation. #
Revelstoke Railway Museum Advances Towards All-Electric Future with New Electrify Canada Ultra-Fast Charging Station
Capable electric vehicles in Revelstoke can now experience ultra-fast charging speeds of up to 350kW
Revelstoke, BC (March 10, 2022) — The Revelstoke Railway Museum, home to the history of the iconic Canadian Pacific Railway, steps into Canada’s electric future becoming host to Electrify Canada’s tenth electric vehicle (EV) ultra-fast charging station in British Columbia. With a mission of boosting EV adoption and strengthening range confidence, this new station completes the Electrify Canada route from Calgary to Abbotsford along the Trans-Canada highway and Coquihalla. This station opening is the latest development for Electrify Canada’s expansion, which includes a plan to build more than 100 charging stations with over 500 individual chargers across nine provinces by 2026. “Providing Revelstoke residents and tourists with a fast, convenient and reliable EV charging solution is part of our commitment to the development of Canada’s all-electric future,” states Robert Barrosa, Senior Director of Sales, Business Development and Marketing, Electrify Canada. “We are pleased to deliver this futureproof charging infrastructure in a location with such robust transportation history. This milestone is a symbol of our investment into the future of mobility.” Minutes away from downtown Revelstoke, the Revelstoke Railway Museum is now equipped with four Electrify Canada ultra-fast chargers - located in the northwest corner of the parking lot, parallel to Farrell Road. The new chargers can provide some of the fastest charging speeds available today for capable vehicles – up to 150kW and 350kW. To create a more comfortable charging experience, Electrify Canada stations are also equipped with an overhead canopy, providing shelter and light, particularly beneficial when charging at night or during the snowy winter. Situated in the Selkirk Mountains of Western Canada, Revelstoke has deep and rich historical roots in the evolution of transportation. As an important landmark on the Columbia River system, a major divisional point on the Canadian Pacific Railway and as a Canadian travel destination for over 120 years, Revelstoke has always been an important transportation hub. “While we continue to tell the story of the Canadian Pacific Railway, we are proud to play a part in history, building towards a more sustainable future,” explains Roger Eddy, President of the Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society. “We are excited to welcome local EV drivers and visitors to our museum and provide them with a fast and convenient EV charging experience.” Customers can rely on Electrify Canada’s 24-hour Customer Contact Center for support and can manage their charging session with the user-friendly Electrify Canada mobile app (available on the App Store and Google Play) enabling contactless payment and session tracking on their smart phone. To find details on Electrify Canada’s pricing and stay up to date on Electrify Canada’s new charging locations, visit Electrify-Canada.ca. # About Electrify Canada Electrify Canada was established in July 2018. Electrify Canada’s goal is to promote greater Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) adoption by building a transformative, ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) direct current (DC) charging infrastructure that gives Canadians the speed and reliability to confidently make the switch to electric. Electrify Canada expects to have more than 100 charging stations with over 500 chargers across nine provinces by end of 2026. For more information, visit: electrify-canada.ca. Media Contacts: For Revelstoke Museum see above. For Electrify Canada inquiries, contact: Agathe Maillard, Zeno Group Phone: 647-898-7488 Email: agathe.maillard@zenogroup.com
REVELSTOKE HERITAGE RAILWAY SOCIETY PUBLISHES NEW BOOK
November 4, 2021 — The Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society is pleased to announce that it has recently published Volume 5 of its popular series “Canadian Pacific Railway on the Revelstoke Division” by long-time volunteer Doug Mayer. Like other volumes in this series, Mayer has searched extensively for interesting images which uniquely capture the region’s railway stories. Volume 5 includes photographs from sources as diverse as: the City of Vancouver Archives, Revelstoke Museum and Archives, ExpoRail, RJ Haney Heritage Village and Museum, the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, the Centre for Railroad Photography and Art, and, of course, the Revelstoke Railway Museum. Topics in Volume 5 include: Ottertail Creek bridge, the 1940s-era Neal inspection train, the Royal Train of 1939, Glacier Creek bridge, Field Yard, Twin Butte Creek, the Revelstoke shops, and 5400-class steam locomotives, to name a few. The series is an important fundraising vehicle for the Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society, a registered charitable non-profit organization. Doug donates his research time and expenses, and all profits from the sale of “Canadian Pacific Railway on the Revelstoke Division” are retained by the society. Author Doug Mayer’s life-long interest in railways started with receiving a Lionel model train at age five. He is a founding member of the Revelstoke Model Railway Club and has been heavily involved with the Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society and its predecessor organization since 1988. A driving force in the Revelstoke Model Railway Club, Doug is often seeing working on or operating the model railway featured at the Museum. Doug retired from BC Hydro, as an electrician and safety trainer, in 2008. He also has passions for both IndyCar racing and the Vancouver Canucks, and was a volunteer with minor hockey for seven years. “We are so pleased to offer yet another volume of Doug’s popular series” said Jim Cullen, Executive Director of the Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society. “Doug always manages to bring to light a rich mix of interesting photos, stories and facts about the Revelstoke Division.” Mayer said, “I really enjoyed putting Volume 5 together. Even though my intention had been to dedicate the book to the Connaught Tunnel, the COVID situation prevented that. Still, I am very happy with how Volume 5 turned out. As always, I am most grateful to the various museums, archives, photographers and institutions who so generously contributed their photographs and gave me permission for their use. Without them, Volume 5 would not have been possible.” Volume 5 is available from the Revelstoke Railway Museum’s website railwaymuseum.com or directly at the link revelstoke-railway-museum.myshopify.com. A five-volume package containing the full series to date is available at a discount. #
REVELSTOKE HERITAGE RAILWAY SOCIETY RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM BC MAJOR ANCHOR ATTRACTIONS PROGRAM
July 26, 2021 — The Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society is pleased to announce that it has been approved for financial support under the Province of British Columbia’s Major Anchor Attractions Program. The funding will provide much-needed financial support to the Society, which operates the Revelstoke Railway Museum and Craigellachie Last Spike historic site. “We are delighted that the Province of BC recognizes our impact on BC tourism and saw fit to support us.” said Roger Eddy, President of the Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society. “The past sixteen months have been truly challenging for our Society. Just as for many businesses, the pandemic decimated our revenues. While things are slowly ramping up, we all know that lots of uncertainty remains. So this support is very encouraging.” “This support validates our role in tourism for our region and province. While we are not a big institution, we are part of the critical mass that helps make Revelstoke a world-class destination resort and a great place to live. We are grateful to the Province of British Columbia for this support.” said Jim Cullen, the Society’s Executive Director. “This kind of support makes the hard work and dedication of our trustees, volunteers and employees feel worthwhile. We are looking forward to giving the kind of welcome and experience our visitors have come to expect over the Museum’s 28 year history.” #
REVELSTOKE RAILWAY MUSEUM OPENS NEW EXHIBIT OF HISTORICAL RAILWAY PAINTINGS “WORKS OF ART: CHERISHED MEMORIES OF A FATHER’S CAREER”
June 24, 2021 — The Revelstoke Railway Museum is pleased to announce the opening on June 24, 2021 of a new exhibit, “Works of Art: Cherished Memories of a Father’s Career”, created by ExpoRail in Montreal and funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage, Museum Assistance Program, and the Province of British Columbia’s Resort Municipality Funding Program. The exhibit features over two dozen paintings by Alice Macredie of major railway construction projects in which her father played a pivotal role. Macredie’s father, James Macredie, was a CPR District Engineer whose career highlights included construction of the Lethbridge Viaduct (Lethbridge), Connaught Tunnel (Rogers Pass), Bassano Dam (Bassano) and South Saskatchewan River Bridge (Edmonton). Alice Macredie’s paintings, done in the 1970s, combine her talent and memories to capture the people who worked on these projects, the hard work they invested in Canada’s railway, and the landscapes they traversed in order to complete their feats of engineering. “We are excited to bring an interesting new exhibit to Revelstoke as our region is starting to re-open under the Province of British Columbia’s ReStart Plan” said Roger Eddy, President of the Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society. “We hope Revelstokians and our visitors alike will take time to enjoy this new offering at the Museum. We are grateful for the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Province of British Columbia which permitted us to borrow this exhibit”. “These paintings are really unique. They surpass the hard cement and steel of what were, for their time, major engineering and construction achievements. They also portray the human and natural aspects of these projects in ways that photographs rarely do,” said Laura VanZant, Curator of the Revelstoke Railway Museum. “Major projects are often documented in photographs, but artistic depictions and interpretations of them are rare.” “Construction and expansion of Canada’s railways were some of our country’s earliest mega-projects. We take them for granted because they are now part of our landscape, yet we live in an age where major infrastructure projects are a regular news topic. Modern infrastructure projects challenge how we consider and balance their big-picture costs, impacts and benefits. So this exhibit is really timely and gives an artistic perspective on the challenge, hardship and complexity of railway construction in an earlier era,” said Jim Cullen, Executive Director of the Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society. The exhibit will be displayed in the Museum’s mezzanine level until December 31, 2021. For more information about the Revelstoke Railway Museum, please see railwaymuseum.com. #