The 374 museum is open 7 days a week from 10am - 4pm - Admission is Free
Well ... almost free - you do have to sign the guestbook with your first name and where you're from.
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The museum is operated by volunteers who will happily share information and stories.
Donations are appreciated but not required. All donations go to the maintenance of the 374.
May 19th 2024
Every May Long Weekend, the CPR 374 is taken outside and steamed up to Celebrate the 374 pulling Canada’s first transcontinental passenger train to the New City of Vancouver.
Come join the festivities and yes, "Kids" of ALL ages and ALL sizes can have a turn blasting the original,
1887 CPR 374 Steam Whistle.
Steam Up Celebration
Restoration
Stanley Park Train
Thomas
have a Turn Pulling the Steam Whistle
May 19th 2024
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Celebrate the May long Weekend and the 138th anniversary of the CPR 374 arriving in Vancouver May 23, 1887.
The festivities include activating the steam whistle and letting anyone give it a pull, a live band, and a tonne of fun. Come by and enjoy a part of Canadian history.
British Columbia (B.C.) joined Canada in 1871 but only on the promise from Prime Minister John A. MacDonald to build a transcontinental railroad through the Rocky Mountains. The railway would link the B.C. to the rest of Canada and work was to start in 1873 and be completed within ten years. However, politics and scandal delayed the start of construction and critics said that building a railroad through the Rocky Mountains was too costly and a waste of manpower. In 1873 MacDonald's Conservative government fell and didn’t came back to power until 1878. With the deadline fast approaching, B.C. put pressure on the Canadian government to fulfill its promise or they would withdraw the province from confederation and join the United States.
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After lengthy delays, on February 15, 1881 the railroad received approval for construction. The railroad was built in 2 sections with the last spike Craigellachie, B.C.
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The last spike marked the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway on November 7, 1885.
tHE rED bRICKS
In 1986 Vancouver was home to the World Exposition on Transportation and Communication (EXPO 86). The Roundhouse was set to be the the home pavilion for ESSO but they were looking for a feature attraction. At that time the 374 was being restored, but needed help and funding.
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In 1985, ESSO launched the Heritage Brick Program and raised $400,000 to finish the restoration at the Versatile Shipyards. At any ESSO Station you could buy a personalized brick for $19.86
Located in the place of honor and surrounded by the bricks ....
Stanley Park Train
The original railway, started in 1947, featured a child-sized train. The current adult-sized railroad opened in 1964 in an area leveled by Typhoon Freda. The engine is a replica of Canadian Pacific 374, the first transcontinental passenger train to arrive in Vancouver in the 1887.
History is Alive
At the Railway Museum of BC. you can see, hear, touch and experience the actual trains and locomotives that are part of British Columbia’s railway history and heritage.
Enjoy unlimited rides on our Mini-Rail Train, Track Speeders and the big BC-21 Budd Rail Diesel car!
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Burnaby Railway Park
One Canada’s largest miniature railways, Burnaby Railway Park is a favourite destination for families, children, seniors, and visitors from around the world.
Where the delight of a young child or the big kids (Adults), taking a train ride for the first or tenth time, is met with a smile by a crew member to make it all happen.
Vancouver Bike Tours
Join us for a morning, afternoon or private bike tour of Vancouver and hear about the city's history, its current green initiatives and the stories that only a local could provide.
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Railroad Construction
British Columbia (B.C.) joined Canada in 1871 but only on the promise from Prime Minister John A. MacDonald to build a transcontinental railroad through the Rocky Mountains. The railway would link the B.C. to the rest of Canada and work was to start in 1873 and be completed within ten years. However, politics and scandal delayed the start of construction and critics said that building a railroad through the Rocky Mountains was too costly and a waste of manpower. In 1873 MacDonald's Conservative government fell and didn’t came back to power until 1878. With the deadline fast approaching, B.C. put pressure on the Canadian government to fulfill its promise or they would withdraw the province from confederation and join the United States.
​
After lengthy delays, on February 15, 1881 the railroad received approval for construction. The railroad was built in 2 sections with the last spike Craigellachie, B.C.
​
The last spike marked the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway on November 7, 1885.
The site is under construction, please check back for updates