— 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
On November 28, 1928, Wainwright’s original Grand Trunk Pacific Station was destroyed by fire. The fire started in the baggage room at the west end of the station and had a good start before it was noticed. The east and westbound passenger trains had just left and the clerks were busy closing up their records in the office portion when the alarm sounded.
The town fire engine blew a cylinder head rendering it useless before it could pump any water onto the fire. As a further hindrance, the valve by which C.N.R. water was pumped to the hydrants at Rail Park and 2nd Avenue was turned off, leaving that portion of the system dry. The contents of the baggage room, including sample trunks and express were destroyed.
The records of the station staff as well as the stock of the restaurant, and the official Railway clock were saved. The clock was saved from the burning building by operator Bill Knowles, and car inspector Jack Stinert. Florence Fouts and Lilly Burnes, both employees in the restaurant lost all of their belongings. The restaurant agent, Mr. R. Robertson, saved the Chinese night cook, who was asleep upstairs. The fire burned itself out within a couple of hours, although the debris smoldered for days.
Superintendent Cameron arrived quickly from Edmonton and made arrangements for train dispatching. CNR operators staffed the telegraph office, and lines of Alberta Government Telephones were made available until the telegraph line was again operational. Railway coaches were brought in and placed on a siding to act as a temporary station. One car each was provided for the station office, waiting room, and baggage room. A dining car was brought into replace the restaurant.
