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Connected – Train Service Begins
The fall of 1908 must have been an exciting time for the people of
Rivers. Many of them had been here for about a year, establishing
businesses and homes.
In 1908 a mile-long trestle bridge, the longest of its kind in Western
Canada, was completed.
A special train arrived carrying GTP Vice-President F.W. Morse who
promised a loading platform would be soon built.
The status of Rivers as a divisional point on the new railway was
evident in the scale of construction that took place.
Soon a new a two-story depot complete with stood at the foot on Main
Street. It was the most impressive railway building in western
Manitoba. During the construction of the line it also served as offices
for the Engineering Dept.
The Roundhouse and related shops and terminal yards were extensive and
employed over 250 men during the busiest period.
On Sept 21, the first GTP passenger service began between Winnipeg and
Wainwright Alberta with a tri-weekly timetable in each direction. The
Brandon Sun reported on the complete schedule under the heading: GRAND
TRUNK PACIFIC NOW IN OPERATION.” It added that, “There is a train
agent on each train who sells tickets, receives orders for cars
required for loading, and attends generally to business at stations
where there are no agents.”
Mail for the first time was brought from Winnipeg by GTP on Oct. 5. The
town now had service direct from Winnipeg and via the CPR at Wheatland.
W. Buggey was the first GTP Agent.
A large contingent of
maintenance staff kept the trains running.
The new rail line brought politicians. Clifford Sifton and T.C. Norris,
of Laurier's Liberal gov't took full credit, with Sifton claiming that
the Conservatives had opposed building the line. Conservative candidate
T. Mayne Daly came claiming a Conservative government would be
committed to the GTP.
Executive head Charles Melville Hays and General Manager F.W. Morse
also visited.
It was a busy year.
Second
Street 1908 - a work in progress
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