The CPR Celebrates Canada's 150th Anniversary with Special Train

In 2013, in a post about the Confederation Train, I wondered if any railway would step up with a special train to commemorate Canada’s 150^th anniversary.

The answer is yes. The CPR will mark the occasion this summer with a cross-country trip by its iconic Heritage Train.

The train, which begins its trip July 28 in Port Moody, B.C. will finish its run on August 13 in Montreal.

The train will be led by F-units 1401 (built in 1958) and will include 10 Royal Canadian Pacific heritage cars.

It will also feature the Spirit of Tomorrow car. Children will be invited to write their hopes for the Canada of tomorrow on a commemorative card; each card will be affixed the the car as it makes its way across Canada.

The train will also include a stage car for performances along the way.

The train will be in Winnipeg August 4.

This is the second time a special train has crossed Canada like this in the past 50 years.

In 1967 the Confederation Train visited 60 communities on the cross-country run to mark Canada’s centennial as a nation.

And in 1978-80 the Discovery Train, sponsored by the National Museum of Canada, traveled across the country as a mobile museum.

Also this year, VIA Rail has decorated some locomotives and cars in a special 150^th anniversary scheme.