A version of the first cross-Canada passenger train journey that ended in Port Moody 131 years ago will roll out for the country’s 150th year.
On Friday, CP Rail will launch the reverse of its inaugural transcontinental trip, starting from the Golden Spike town with award-winning entertainers on board the Canada 150 Train to wow the crowds at 13 stops along the way.
Indigenous dancer Dallas Arcand, who has spoken about his sacred hoop teachings at TedX, and country musician Dean Brody are lined up to perform.
“It’s a really cool way to tour,” Brody said from Toronto last week. “It’s a great way to see the country and a great partnership with CP Rail. I’m really excited to see Port Moody and, obviously, the first show is going to be really fun.”
The Canadian Girls singer, who is up for five Canadian Country Music Association awards in September, promised to play songs from his latest album, Beautiful Freakshow, as well as his nominated track Time, which is up for Single, Songwriter and Video of the Year prizes in Saskatoon.
Though he has toured by bus from coast to coast — including with country superstar Terri Clark — it’s the first time he will travel by train across Canada. “I’m looking forward to getting off the beaten path,” Brody told The Tri-City News, adding, “It’s going to be one of the most memorable things I’ll do in my career.”
After the Port Moody celebrations — which run on July 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. behind the PoMo recreation complex — the Canada 150 heritage train will stop the next day in Revelstoke before making its way to Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.
Leading the train is the 1958 F-unit diesel locomotive 1401 that will tow more than 10 restored royal CP heritage cars. They are branded “royal” as some of the most influential leaders have been passengers.
They include: Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip (pre-coronation); Canada’s first prime minister Sir John A. Macdonald; author Pierre Berton; hockey star Maurice “Rocket” Richard; and then U.S. senator John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline.
CP Rail spokesperson Jeremy Berry told The Tri-City News that Port Moody has been an important location on its network since 1886 when the so-called Pacific Express arrived “sharp on time” on July 4, 1886, to the company’s most western terminus; the trip started 139 hours earlier from Montreal (10 months later, Port Moody would become a station stop on its way to the new CP terminal in Vancouver).
“CP is bringing this cross-Canada train to 13 cities because it’s a wonderful opportunity to recognize Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation as well as CP’s role in building Canada from 1881 to today,” Berry said last Saturday from the company headquarters in Calgary. “We feel it’s a nice opportunity to celebrate with communities that are so important to CP and to the country. We are happy to start in Port Moody on July 28.”
Meanwhile, kids can decorate a special railcar called the Spirit of Tomorrow, writing their hopes for the country on a commemorative card. That railcar will be included as part of the CP Rail Holiday Train this year, which stops in both Port Moody and Port Coquitlam.
Last year, the 18th edition of the Holiday Train collected $1.2 million and 250,000 pounds of non-perishable goods for food banks across Canada and the U.S.
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LITTLE ENGINE
Children in Port Moody can also hop on CP Rail's miniature train, a 1/4-scale model of a General Electric AC4400 locomotive, for a ride.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Use the hashtag #Canada150train to join in the digital conversation.
PARKING
Rather than driving to the Port Moody recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd.), where parking will be at a premium, take the Evergreen Extension to Inlet Centre. For pedestrians, avoid the Shoreline Trail as the section of the path that leads to Trasolini Field will be closed for the Canada 150 train.
MAYOR'S PARTY
Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay will host a summertime celebration as part of the Canada 150 train launch: From 1 to 4 p.m., grab a barbecue hotdog — courtesy of the PoMo Volunteer Firefighters Association — and enjoy the family fun around city hall (100 Newport Dr.). As well, guests can finish the city's bear-themed eco-sculpture by adding small plants to the metal frame. That public artwork will be installed at Rocky Point Park.
