Canadian Centennial Train

[Anonymous]

I've been wondering about this for a while, but for some reason just thought of this now and decided to post a topic and see if anyone knew what this was.

On an episode of the TV show "Great Train Stories", a Canadian porgram, there was one episode talking specifically about the history of locomotives in Canada. During one sequence they showed a couple of clips of what kind of looked like a Canadian version of the American freedom Train. There was no explaination given. The train was pulled by two CN geeps and consisted of baggage cars painted red and white with large black and white pictures of prime ministers put over the doors. I'd guess that it could have had something to do with Canada's centennial celebrations in 1967. Has anyone heard of this or have any idea what I'm talking about?

[Anonymous]

How can I see this TV Show?

[Anonymous]

The Great Train Stories series airs once or twice a year on History Television. It was produced by the Canadian Railway History Association. I guess you could contact the association to find out if they sell copies of the episodes: [e-mail]

As for the CN centennial train, I remember seeing pictures a long time ago...

[Anonymous]

This show was on the History Channel once a week and each program is an hour long. I'm not sure if it's still on or when it is. I don't get the History Channel, but my aunt does. Last year she found out about it and taped all the shows for me, but after a while they started to be repeats, so I had her stop. Each show focuses on one topic related to Canadian railways and they're usually quite good, but some are more interesting than others.

[M636C]

My recollection of the Canadian Centennial Train was that it had two GMD F Units, one CN, one CP, painted in a scheme based on Maple leaf patterns as per the Canadian Flag. I think Extra 2200 South ran a photo during 1976 along with many US Bicentennial photos.

This train described would not be the same, but might have been a different train at the same time.

Can't help further, sorry

[BR60103]

There was another train, in the early 70s, that toured Canada. This used some of the display cars from the American train, but with different displays.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BR60103

There was another train, in the early 70s, that toured Canada. This used some of the display cars from the American train, but with different displays.

This is probably the train I saw on TV. The cars looked a lot like the American display cars. Thanks for the info.

[Anonymous]

Well looking into the word "Centennial" that means 100.. Canada was 100 years old in 1967.. so late 60's Early 70's would make sense.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BR60103

There was another train, in the early 70s, that toured Canada. This used some of the display cars from the American train, but with different displays.

Wasn't there the Discovery Train in the late 70s? I remember touring it when it stopped in North Bay. I remember the stuffed Polar Bear and the N scale layout.

[BentnoseWillie]

The Discovery Train ran at least twice - I saw it in 1980. The paint scheme you describe sounds like that train.

It was something of a cross-Canada cultural and geographical museum, meant to promote people's knowledge of the whole country. I don't remember many other details, alas.

[Anonymous]

The Centennial Train crossed Canada during 1967, our 100th birthday. I recall going to see it in Neepawa MB. as a teenager. The cars had historic and patriotic displays. One thing I clearly remember was the horn sounded the first four notes of "O Canada", our national anthem. I think this air horn was later mounted on the BC Hydro headquarters in VAncouver where it sounded to mark noon.

[dknelson]

When the Royal Hudson made a US tour with a Canadian history train around 1980 or so, it too had a horn (in addition to a steam whistle and a single note air horn) that played the first four notes of Oh Canada! By coincidence after all that is also the two longs a short and a long that is needed to blow for crossings.
I chased the train in Wisconsin and from time to time at a crossing they would blast all three -- the whistle the horn and Oh Canada! And the train was beautiful -- dark maroon and the locomotive had a stainless steel boiler jacket. Stunning. I later rode behind that locomotive north of Vancouver on a tourist operation on BC Rail that is now shut down ;(.
Dave Nelson