22 November 2010
Canadian Pacific's Latest Spikes
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The three chrome plated spikes engraved with the date November 7, 2010 ready to be
hammered home at Craigellachie on the 125th anniversary of the driving of Canadian Pacific's Last Spike - 7 Nov 2010 Leo deGroot. |
Craigellachie British Columbia - By now everyone is familiar with the story about the driving of
Canadian Pacific's Last Spike, or to be more accurate, Last Spikes.
You'll recall there was that first silver spike that never made it to Craigellachie, then the bent spike, and finally the spike driven home. And where is that
third spike? Who knows? Perhaps turned into a knife handle, somewhere, out there.
Now to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the driving of the Last Spikes three chrome plated spikes were driven into a short section of track
beside the Last Spike cairn at Craigellachie with CP's current President and Chief Executive Officer, Fred Green, driving one into a tie. (We suspect he may
have practiced beforehand as he didn't bend it as Donald Smith did in 1885.)
After the ceremony an un-named Maintenance of Way man retrieved them from the ties into which they were driven.
He was walking about with them after the show, and allowed a CP Rail policeman to hold one for a bit.
After that he disappeared with the Chrome Spikes so now we have another mystery on our hands.
Or do we?
Bob Kennell, the head of CP Archives was spotted in the crowd during the ceremony.
Could the Chrome Spikes now be resting in the CP Archives?
Someone, please, let us know where they are!
One mystery is plenty.
William Slim.
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