— Table of Contents —
- GTPR Arrives In Wainwright
- Trains Begin Rolling
- The Early Years
- Canadian National Railways Take Over
- Fire Destroys the GTPR Station
- Wainwright Gets a New Station
- George VI Royal Tour
- Buffalo “King” Goes to New York
- Next Generation Technology
- Last of the Steam Locomotives
- Elizabeth II Royal Tour
- The Changing Face of Rail Service
- End One Era, Begin Another
In 1960 the telex machine replaced the telegraph as the operators main communication system.
With dieselization now complete, Canadian National began to dismantle many of the landmark buildings in the rail yard. Soon the icehouse, locomotive shop, and coal dock, were demolished. The rip track (repair in place) was also closed, buildings torn down and the car inspectors transferred or laid off.
In July 1962 the steel water tower was removed and a water softening plant was built near the telegraph office. The mechanical department had thought steam generators in diesel locomotives required soft water, but the practice of using it was short lived. This structure was used for several years, and then left vacant until torn down in the mid 1980’s.
VIA Rail Canada took over the passenger services of both Canadian National and Canadian Pacific in 1977. Daily passenger service continued in the early VIA years, and VIA continued to use the name “Super Continental” for it’s Toronto and Montreal to Vancouver train.
Soon after it’s inception, VIA began mixing equipment of both CN and CP in the same train consists, and stainless steel coaches made their first regular appearance in Wainwright. CN station staff handled ticket sales for VIA until the contract for waiting room space in the station was canceled. VIA had built their own “stationette” just west of the CN station. Since then ticket sales have been handled through local Travel Agents, or by phone or mail direct from VIA.
CN locomotive engineers and train crews continued working the passenger trains for VIA until they were integrated into VIA’s own workforce. Train service personnel (Train Service Manager, Sleeping Car Attendants, and Food Service personnel) were the first to become VIA employees (by 1980). Train crews (Conductor, Trainmen, and Baggage Men) joined VIA in 1987, and locomotive engineers became VIA employees in 1989.
Transcontinental passenger service was cut in 1981, and the long passenger trains through Wainwright gave way to “Inter-City” service. Edmonton - Saskatoon service was at first provided by two or three RDCs), and then by a single FP9A locomotive (6500 series), a baggage car and a coach.
Under pressure from the public, “The Panorama” began service in the spring of 1984 operating daily from Winnipeg to Prince Rupert. It connected with the “Canadian” at Winnipeg to provide a route to Eastern Canada, but no service to Vancouver was offered over CN lines. The “Super Continental” replaced the “The Panorama” on June 2, 1985, again providing a direct passenger train to Vancouver.
In 1987 yard clerks were given notice their positions would be abolished. Most were able to hold positions in Edmonton. All motive power jobs in Wainwright (A foreman and several other positions) were also abolished. CN station staff had now dwindled to just 4 operators.
