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Home
 
2001-2002
  
Canadian Pacific Railway Employee Communications
Room 500 401-9th Ave S.W. Calgary AB T2P 4Z4
 

VOLUME THIRTY-TWO

NUMBER ONE 2002


A Day on the Prairie Dog Central
By Doug Belcher - Vintage Locomotive Society
 
Old railroaders never retire; they just operate steam trains in tourist operations
 
Ex-CPR number 22
Left to right:  Jim Hunter Brakeman Trainee - Bernie Sammons Brakeman - Paul Zegalinski Fireman - Doug Belcher Conductor - John Thiessen Engineer
On Sunday, 27 May 2001, an historic event took place on the Prairie Dog Central, a small steam operation run by the Vintage Locomotive Society (VLS) of Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was the first time a crew consisting entirely of ex-CPR employees climbed aboard one of their trains in the society's 31-year history.
 
On this day the crew members were:  Conductor Doug Belcher, Engineer John Thiessen, Fireman Paul Zegalinski, Brakeman Bernie Sammons and Brakeman trainee Jim Hunter. Collectively these former CPR employees have 172 years of active service and are currently operating the Prairie Dog Central by virtue of having passed all of the requirements for CROR qualifications. Because the train operates over three miles of CN track, as well as on the 16 miles owned by VLS, the men must be fully qualified.
 
The equipment on this day consisted of City of Winnipeg Hydro Engine 3, (formerly CP Locomotive No. 22) built in 1882, and five wooden coaches, dating from 1901-1913. Two of the coaches were once used in CPR commuter service out of Windsor Station in Montreal.
 
During the 2001 operating season, (19 May to 30 September) the Prairie Dog Central boarded almost 12,000 people, many from out of Canada. The VLS had a very successful season, enabling people to experience a heritage train ride behind a locomotive that helped to build the CPR main line in the 1880s.
 
 
Great Moments in CPR History
 
When the CPR launched the Imperial Limited transcontinental passenger train in the summer of 1899, it set a new standard for speed and elegance. While the name reflected the role of the railway as a vital link in the British Empire's route to the Far East, the train's look and feel established the company's reputation for unexcelled service that lingers today.

 
© 2005 William C. Slim       http://www.okthepk.ca