It’s 125 years since the railway arrived in Dauphin, an important historical event for the city.
The Dauphin Rail Museum board has decided it is worthy of a celebration and a number of commemorative programs have been planned for this fall, with some already carried out.
Historically, this section of railway had a different beginning than the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) tracks farther south.
It began in 1890 with the Lake Manitoba Railway and Canal Company making plans to lay tracks from Portage la Prairie to Winnipegosis. When this company went bankrupt, two men Sir Donald Mann and Sir William Mackenzie took it over and began the construction, with completion of the Gladstone to Dauphin line in 1896. Eventually these tracks would become the Canadian Northern Railway, and by 1923 part of the Canadian National Railway (CNR).
This railway section was claimed to be the first Canadian railway that used a track-laying machine in its work. A rail-mounted crane conveyed wooden tiles forward to be placed into position by hand. Much of this hand labour was done by local farmers who were eager for the railway to be completed.
The first passenger train actually arrived in Dauphin on December 15, 1896, but the Rail Museum opted to begin celebrations with an earlier get-together since the fall weather was so pleasant. On the first weekend of October visitors were treated to musical entertainment, anniversary cake and other food, as well as tours of the museum. A dozen or so classic car enthusiasts were also on hand to display their special vehicles. That event was just the beginning, since there are other important dates to remember.
On November 8, a ceremonial ribbon cutting is scheduled to commemorate the date of the railway track being laid across Main Street. Plans are being finalized for another celebration to remember the arrival of the first passenger train; on December 14, it is hoped to have passengers board the VIA rail train in nearby Ochre River and debark at the Dauphin station.
(This rail line still operates twice-a-week passenger service from Winnipeg to Churchill, arriving in Dauphin approximately 4:45 p.m., as well as daily freight trains.)
Attendees at these events should plan to include time at the Rail Museum, located at 101 First Street NW, in the 1912 Canadian Northern Railway station or else plan a separate visit.
Although not large, the museum is well arranged and houses many interesting items related to historic rail travel. The station is a picturesque three-storey brick building, with dormers and turrets. The museum occupies the east end of the building, which replaced the earlier station built in 1897. It is a provincially designated historic site.
Jason Gilmore, president of the Dauphin Rail Museum, along with other volunteers, has spent the last 16 months reconfiguring the whole museum and making plans for this fall’s celebrations. The museum houses a variety of artifacts, including uniforms, tools, rail lanterns, telegraph equipment, pictures and documents. A ‘jigger,’ used to transport track workers, might attract your attention, or the red caboose outside, situated to the west of the museum. The original clock used here was repatriated to the station in 2011 and has been repaired to operating condition.
Of prime interest to children, and many adults, will be the model railway tracks set up in the east end of the museum. It depicts Dauphin’s rail facilities in 1954. Include plenty of time to watch the model train cars move around the tracks.
Plan a walk through the CN Park that runs to the east of the station, alongside the railway. You can check out the shape and size of the original 1897 station. Or look at the original, 15-stall roundhouse, now the Dauphin public works building.
Tech-savvy visitors can use their phones to access even more information with YouTube videos. The museum’s Facebook page also includes videos from various events.
Traditionally, the Dauphin Rail Museum is open daily during the summer months. This fall, opening hours until the end of November are from 9 to 3 Thursday and Friday, 9 to 2 on Saturday, or by appointment. During the winter it plans to be open on Saturdays from 9 to noon.
For information call 204-202-4622, visit their Facebook page or go to the Tourism Dauphin website.
