10 August 2010

Parks Canada Celebrates 125 Years Since the Last Spike and of Railways Through Glacier National Park

The driving of the Last Spike at Craigellachie, 7 Nov 1885.

Revelstoke British Columbia - I invite you to join Parks Canada, the Revelstoke Railway Days committee, and Canadian Pacific as we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Last Spike and 125 years of railway heritage in Glacier National Park.
 
During Revelstoke's Railway Days festival we hope that you will take part in many experiences where you can learn more about our country's rich railway heritage, the stories of triumphs and of tragedies. The initial discovery of Rogers Pass and the laying of the tracks at the summit on 15 Aug 1885 on their way to Craigellachie where the Last Spike was driven, were moments of great triumph.
 
The never-ending struggle to keep the tracks open through Rogers Pass in winter led to tragedies. Steep grades, heavy snowfall, and massive avalanches took their toll, none greater than on the night of 4 Mar 1910 when 58 railway workers lost their lives in a snowslide that consumed the summit of Rogers Pass in Canada's largest avalanche accident.
 
On Friday, 13 Aug 2010, please join us to welcome the Canadian Pacific Empress 2816 steam train when it arrives in Revelstoke's CP Rail Yard at 4:30 p.m. Tour the museum car, featuring the famous Last Spike on loan from Canada's Museum of Science and Technology, enjoy live music and special presentations.
 
Don't miss the North American Spike Driving finals on Saturday, 14 Aug 2010, as CP employees from across the continent pound it out for the grand prize. The museum car will be open, and you can swing by the Revelstoke Railway Museum to watch a video display from Canada's Library and Archives Portrait Gallery and learn about people who came from around the world to build Canada's transcontinental railway.
 
On Sunday, 15 Aug 2010, at the summit of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park, join us for a special event to celebrate 125 years of railway and national park history, reflect on the centennial of the 1910 Avalanche, and unveil an interactive exhibit created to share these stories with visitors. Take a guided stroll down the Abandoned Rails Trail in Rogers Pass National Historic Site, or fold a paper crane and learn more about the 1910 Avalanche.
 
Through protected places such as Rogers Pass National Historic Site and Glacier National Park, Parks Canada protects and presents Canada's treasured natural and historic places in such a way that they become a living legacy, connecting hearts and minds to a stronger, deeper, understanding of the very essence of Canada. We look forward to seeing you this weekend as we celebrate 125 years of Canada's railway heritage.
 
Karen Tierney - Superintendent Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks Rogers Pass National Historic Site.