Canadian Museum of Rail Travel - Cranbrook
Tourism Region: BC Rockies
This museum collects and intreprets complete Canadian train "sets" representing various era of travel on "Deluxe Hotel-On-Wheels"
Trains include the 1929 "Trans-Canada Limited" (one of the world's most famous trains of that era), the 1907 international "Soo-Spokane Train Deluxe" and the 1936 "Chinook". All are Canadian Pacific Railway in origin. Railway archicitecture is also displayed in the form of the 3000 square-foot, 3-storey high oak paneled "Royal Alexandra Hall", the centrepiece of the new site and facilities (this was the former cafe from the C.P.R. Royal Alexandra Hotel in Winnipeg (1906)
The 1898 Railway Freight Shed and the 65-foot tall woden Railway Water tower are also part of the museum infrastucture, as well as gardens and the 1901 Elko Station (style "B" CPR Crowsnest Pass station design)
Interior railway car design and decorative arts is highlighted.
The museum is to relocate to its new larger site and facilities in later 2002.
A complete look at this museum, its history and content, and related links is available on the museum's comprehensive website www.trainsdeluxe.com
About the Collections
A complete description of the extensive collection is on the web www.trainsdeluxe.com
Approximate number of objects in the collections: 34 railcars + thousands of assoicated intems
Archives
specialty on railway passenger travel and Cranbrook history
Architectural Records •
Prints and Drawings •
Films and Videos •
Photographs •
Textual Records
Decorative Arts
decorative arts as they relate to the interior of railcars
Costumes •
Furniture or Furnishings •
Glass •
Metalwork, Silverwork or Goldwork •
Textiles or Tapestries
Other: a major collection of railway china, solverware and glassware is on display in the dining car "Argyle"
Fine Arts
Culture:
American •
Canadian
Media:
Mixed Media, Multimedia or Installations
Human History
Costumes and Accessories
•
Furniture or Furnishings
•
Imaging
: Photographs
: Video
•
Industrial Technology and History
•
Local History
•
Maps, Charts, Plans or Blueprints
•
Transportation
: Railway
Services & Activities
Research Services
Research is limited due to limited staff. Conract research fees apply for most requests.
Archival Records •
Conservation or Restoration •
Library
Educational Programs
The educational programs are limited until the relocation to the new museum site in later 2002
Classes or Workshops
•
Lectures
•
School Programs
: Age 0-4 (Pre-School)
: Age 5-11 (k-6)
: Age 12-17 (7-13)(Quebec: Secondary 1-CEGEP)
•
Seniors Programs
Other: The museum is considering offering interships after the move to the new site.
Visitor Services
Guided Tours
: English
•
Accessible by Public Transportation
•
Meeting Room Rental
•
Nature Trails, Walks or Gardens
•
Parking Facilities
: Free
: Bus
•
Gift shop
•
Washrooms
Other: The new site and facilities will be completely handicapped accessible.
Volunteer Services
Volunteer Services Available •
Volunteer Training Offered
Number of Volunteers: 25
Activities: tours; regular and special groups
special events incl. annual gala dinner
Member Privileges
discounts on certain tickets/categories
discounts in gift shop - selected items
Food Services
The dining car "Argyle" is open for light refreshments as part of the historical experience in certain seasons.
Picnic Area •
Reception Facilities
Other: The new site will have several food venues.
Internet Services
General Information •
Collections •
Virtual Exhibitions •
Local History
Other Services
Special gourmet dinners are held on the Trans-Canada Limited in late November/early December each year (since 1983) as a fund-raiser
Publications and Products
Annual Reports •
Brochures •
Museum Guide •
Newsletters •
Postcards •
Posters •
Tour Packages •
T-Shirts or Sweatshirts or Caps •
Slides •
Videos
Featured Images
The railcar "Omemee" (1906)from the "Soo-Spokane train Deluxe" showing some original interior appointments. This view shows one of the two the leaded glass half-domes, each containing over 1200 pieces of stained and beveled glass
© Canadian Museum of Rail Travel - Cranbrook, BC
The railcar "Curzon" (1907) from the "Soo-Spokane Train Deluxe" showing original interior features. This includes inlaid walnut & Honduran Mahogany, stained glass windows, and original wicker furniture upholstered in mohair plush.
© Canadian Museum of Rail Travel _ Cranbrook, BC
The only complete set of the "Trans-Canada Limited" (1929) exists at this museum. This view shows some of the restored inlaid black walnut paneling, and a portion of the railway china & silveware display in the dining car "Argyle", one of seven cars making up the set. Essentially a "deluxe hotel-on-wheels", this train also includes 3 types of first-class sleeping cars,a day-parlour car, a crew-dormitory-baggage car, and a specially-designed "solarium-lounge" car for the end of the train.
© Canadian Museum of Rail Travel - Cranbrook
This is an interior view showing the complete dining room of the "Argyle" during one of the annual gourmet fund-raising dinners in Nov/Dec and held since 1983. On view is the inlaid black walnut paneling, brass light fixtures, wool carpet, and the blue calfskin leather upholstery on the walnut chairs.
© Canadian Museum of Rail Travel - Cranbrook, BC
The centrepiece of the new facilties at the new site is the "Royal Alexandra Hall". This restored heritage room is actually the cafe from the former Royal Alexandra Hotel in Winnipeg (Canadian Pacific Railway - 1906). Paneled in oak, it is 3000 square feet in size with an interior height of 3 stories. The eight chandeliers are hand-forged and hang down 12 feet from the tall beamed ceiling.
© Canadian Museum of Rail Travel - Cranbrook, BC
Map
Location
| Address: |
1 Van Horne St.S Cranbrook, British Columbia V1C 4H9 See Map |
|---|---|
| Telephone: | 250-489-3918 |
| Fax: | 250-489-5744 |
| Mailing Address: |
Canadian Museum of Rail Travel - Cranbrook Box 400, Cranbrook, British Columbia V1C 4H9 |
| Email Us |
Hours of Operation
Operations:
Year Round
We are open all year
Open: open daily 10-6 from early April to mid-October: balance of year is 12 noon - 5pm Tuesday to Saturday
Closed:
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
New Years Day
- we are open all other statutory holidays.
Admission:
Charged
There are varous rates depending on tour(s) takem time available and age.
Discounts:
Groups •
Seniors •
Students
