Railway Museum
Development of the Museum
The Railway Museum became official in 1986 when the City of Melville designated it under the Heritage Act and is held in one of only 40 train stations left standing that was built by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad. It is a Type "E" station, one of only 200 stations of this type constructed on the Prairies and was moved from Duff, Saskatchewan in the 1960's. Within the walls of the museum, visitors can walk through different eras of the railroad to explore communication styles, the typical rail station set-up, and unique artifacts from 1927 forward.
Featured Equipment
In front of the station, is a retired train engine, flat car, caboose, and hand car. The steam locomotive is unit CNR#5114 and is considered a "Pacific" class locomotive with a wheel arrangement of 4-6-2. It was built in August 1919 in Montreal, Quebec by Montreal Locomotive Works. A Pacific locomotive was used primarily to pull passenger trains however it could be used in freight service as required. It was a relatively light locomotive used on the secondary railroad track; ideal for the branch line of the CNR. The flat car is unit CNR#75223 and was used to haul heavy or abnormally shaped loads. The caboose on this property was converted from a boxcar built by the Eastern Car Company in 1918. The renovation was completed in February 1957 at the Fort Rouge yards in Winnipeg by CNR. Finally, the handcar on the property is a functioning piece of equipment, that was used to move quickly by hand on the tracks in the railyard.
Visiting the Museum
Today, the Railway Museum is welcome to visitors young and old to take a peek from it's wide windows and enjoy the view of Melville or to observe the maps and books that would guide the CNR employees.
If you are interested in seeing the inside of this unique exhibit, give us a call at (306) 728-3722 from May to August to schedule a free tour!