In the various lore when you go back in time you can ruin something in the future because of the Grandfather Paradox, but when you go back in time with Vancouver’s CPR Engine 374 Train Locomotive in Yaletown the only thing in the future that changes is your love of everything that makes our past so wonderful and the connections we can make when we can experience that history with our touch by getting to go inside!

Engine 374 is now at the Roundhouse Community Centre, home to a special piece of Canadian history. It first arrived in Vancouver on May 23rd, 1887, and was the first passenger locomotive to do so, marking the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway which took 10 years to complete and bring Canada together as a country.  Engine 374 was use up until 1945 when retired, then moved to Kitsilano Park as a play structure for children to enjoy, maybe it inspired a few children to follow their dreams and do it for real? A restoration project to refurbish the train allowed it to be featured at Vancouver’s Expo 86 World Fair.

To this day the arrival of Engine 374 in 1887 is warmly celebrated at the museum around May 23rd each year. For the grand event Engine 374 is steamed up for the day and folks can blow the train’s whistle and come for a day of free festivities all ages can enjoy. Live music normally runs on the Sunday of the Victoria Day Long Weekend from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm outside the community centre.

The Roundhouse Community Centre is located at 181 Roundhouse Mews near David Lam Park in downtown Vancouver’s Yaletown District. Folks can admire the restored train and even climb onboard and explore the interior. There’s a wooden train set for kids to play with too. The museum has historical photos of the train in action and features educational cards in multiple languages. The West Coast Railway Museum in Yaletown is open throughout the year, only closing on Christmas Day and New Year Day. When open, hours of operation vary with the season. In the winter the Engine 374 Pavilion is usually open from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Summer hours, are normally from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. Engine 374 Pavilion is Admission to the is free, but donations are highly appreciated. The non-profit’s other museum is the much larger Railway Museum of British Columbia in Squamish.

Take advantage of this unique piece of Canadian history, check it out today!

Brian Smith

bsmith288@my.bcit.ca