CALGARY, Aug. 21, 2017 /CNW/ - The CP Canada 150 train has
completed its cross-country tour, connecting thousands of Canadians
with the history of Canada and
Canadian Pacific, while delivering an epic community block party at
each of the 13 whistle stops.
The August 20 show in Ottawa marked the final event of the train
tour, a journey that brought thousands of Canadians together to
enjoy a free concert to celebrate the country's 150th
anniversary of confederation and the role the railway played in
connecting Canada more than 130
years ago.
"CP and this country share a remarkable legacy," said
Keith Creel, CP President and CEO.
"I was honoured to be on the train, connecting with Canadians and
CP employees. We look forward to the next 150 years of connecting
Canada with the world and thank
all those who came to an event, or followed our progress
online."
Incorporated in 1881, CP completed Canada's first transcontinental railway link
on November 7, 1885 with the Last
Spike. CP is credited with establishing no fewer than 800
communities and town sites across Canada and today the railway operates in more
than 1,100 communities across North
America.
Support for the train came from all levels of leadership across
the country, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who joined the train with his
daughter, Ella-Grace, from Revelstoke,
B.C. to Calgary. Indigenous
leaders, mayors, councilors, MLAs, MPs and MPPs also joined CP
officials on stage, and a lucky few got to sound a special train
whistle that made a similar journey a half-century ago to celebrate
Canada's centennial. The whistle,
on loan to CP from the Museum of Science and Technology in
Ottawa, played O Canada at the
touch of a button.
The CP Canada 150 train featured beautifully restored
locomotives built in the 1950s and passenger railcars constructed
during the first half of the last century. While the train itself
brought cheers from the crowd, the world-class musicians got the
crowd singing and dancing.
"On this tour, I saw Canadians express gratitude for what we
have, and a hope for the future that truly inspired me," said
award-winning country artist Dean
Brody, who headlined the 13 performances. "Taking into
account CP's role in Canada's
history, this was an incredible way to celebrate our 150th birthday
and see new parts of our vast country."
Community members at each event were treated to a free concert,
crafts for kids and a walk through CP's archives. CP's
quarter-scale mini-train, The Little General, also appeared at most
events, offering kids the opportunity to play conductor. The tour
also featured the Spirit of Tomorrow car, which now carries with it
thousands of stickers on which Canadians wrote their dreams for the
future. This car will be featured as part of this year's CP Holiday
Train. The schedule for this year's Holiday Train will be online at
www.cpr.ca in mid-October.
"Performing aboard CP's Canada
150 train gave me the opportunity to connect with thousands of
Canadians, and to see them connect with each other," said
Dallas Arcand, world champion hoop
dancer and Canada 150 train
performer. "The train tour is something I will always remember, and
I hope people from all across this country who attended feel the
same."
The theme song of the CP Canada 150 train, The Spirit of
Tomorrow, performed by Kelly
Prescott, is available for free download here.
For more on CP's role in connecting Canada, visit www.cpconnectingcanada.ca and
engage on social media @CanadianPacific using #ConnectingCanada.
For a video re-cap of the 13-stop tour, click here.
About Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific is a
transcontinental railway in Canada
and the United States with direct
links to eight major ports, including Vancouver and Montreal, providing North American customers a
competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner
of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of
freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply
chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP.
SOURCE Canadian Pacific