By David F. Rooney
All things railway are on offer at the Revelstoke Railway Museum’s Family Day event being held August 16 as part of the community’s Homecoming celebrations.
During this special day, the museum is opening its doors for family fun from 11 am until 4 pm with notable guests and activities that feature some of the best of past Railway Days festivals. Admission is by donation.
“I’m looking at this as being the best of all our part Railway Days rolled into one,” says Jennifer Dunkerson, the museum’s executive director.
Jennifer returned to the museum a few months ago after a stint at Fort Steele and is very happy to be back.
“It feels pretty good to be back here,” she said in a recent interview. “It’s kind of like putting on a comfortable old shoe.”
The different facets of Family Day should feel familiar and comfortable.
The Salmon Arm Model Railroad Association will be showcasing its model railroad layout along with the Revelstoke Model Railroad Club. Both groups of hobbyists will have lots of demonstrations for all ages to enjoy.
You can also try your hand at driving a diesel locomotive in the museum’s newly upgraded simulator or you can relax with a cup of coffee in the business car.
The museum’s three inside galleries will be open and you can stroll past the rolling stock outside, too. There will be volunteer engineers at the steam locomotive and the vintage diesel engine to highlight the difference that time and technology made. If you have children with you they can make a variety of crafts and there is a kids’ scavenger hunt that requires the use of a unique station map that may be turned in for a special prize.
You can also help us identify persons, places, and things in photographs from our collection and enter your own prize photograph in our photo contest.
And if you enjoy a gentle game of chance why not enter the museum’s raffle draw by buying a ticket to win one of two significant prizes. First prize is a framed, limited print by railway artist, Max Jacquiard, featuring the 5468 steam engine, which is on display at the museum, crossing the Columbia River Bridge in Revelstoke. Second prize is a framed photograph of a steam locomotive crossing the same bridge, artistically captured by Nils Huxtable. All funds raised go to support the museum’s operations. The museum is thankful to Barrie Sanford and the Revelstoke Model Railroad Club for the prize donations.
Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10 and are available now. Please click here to view the poster.
And, if you feel the pang of hunger while you’re at the museum you can quell it by purchasing a hot dog and/or burger plus soft drinks.
A major tourist attraction for the region, the Revelstoke Railway Museum is operated by the Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society, a local, non-profit organization. The museum presents the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the Columbia Mountains, as well as the role the railway and its workers have played in building Canada as a nation. A large collection of artifacts, historical photographs, artwork, and full-size rolling stock are displayed, including a steam locomotive built for mountain work.
