Railway Days 2025

Today we have a report on the 2025 Railway Days event at Heritage Park which was held on Sep.13-14 this year.
The report comes courtesy of Calgary Chapter of the MTC Treasurer and MTC board member Marilyn Maguire.

It was a great event and very well attended, much lightning was slung! 

This article is scheduled to be included in the Fall 2025 edition of the Internation Morse Telegraph Clubs "Dots and Dashes" magazine.

Enjoy
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Heritage Park’s 2025 Railway Days

by Marilyn Maguire

Since 1987 Calgary’s Heritage Park has hosted Railway Days, a weekend event dedicated to all things train.

This year the extravaganza began on Friday evening, September 12th. Ben Brown, chief engineer, hosted a behind the scenes open house of the Round House. Guests could get up close and personal with all the equipment and tools. They could climb aboard the steam engines and the new diesel SW9#136, go into the cabs and even ring the bells. The train crew and the “extra gang” volunteers were there to answer any and all questions that the enthusiastic guests asked.

Then on Saturday and Sunday there were telegraphy demonstrations in the three park stations, as well as Kevin Jepson’s MTC display at Shepard station, where he explained the exciting Alberta MTC Line project, which connects Western Canadian museums with live Morse. There were connections from: Chris Hausler, at the American Wireless Museum in NY state, John Springer, at the SONO Switch Tower, in Connecticut, Ed Silky in Washington state, Steve in Cape Cod, Ted Chmilar in Kelowna, BC, as well as the museum in Summerland, BC.

Edmonton MTC Chapter member, Bill Wilson, manned the wire at Midnapore station entertaining guests with his prowess on the key as well as stories from “back in the day”. Both regular and junior Calgary MTC Chapter members entertained guests all day long with children being taught how to send Morse, telegrams were being sent, children were learning about and then trying conductor’s lantern signals, train orders were hooped, hobos shared their camp beside Midnapore station and encouraged children to search the park for hobo “code” signs on large rocks at various locations. 

Members of the Victorian Society of Alberta and the 10^th Battalion CEF Commemorative Association (a WWI living history group) added colour to the event. There were various musical groups providing old time music on the train and around the park all through the day.

Other exciting events included: trying out the hand car, viewing water tower and turntable demonstrations, touring the car shop, listening to talks by prominent authors and railroad historians. Railroad pocket watch enthusiasts had an opportunity to view exquisite watch examples and chat with the watch experts. There were opportunities to view and purchase books, memorabilia and railroad antiques. In multiple locations several model train clubs, as well as the LEGO club had beautiful railway displays for all to enjoy. At the Pin Club’s display I met Jeanette, who’s father was a telegrapher many years ago and I hope to get more information about him soon.

All in all it was a very successful, exciting event with approximately 8,000 guests in attendance.