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Historic train station
relocated to Beiseker
reprinted from Rockyview Weekly (Dawn Smith) July 23, 2012
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Village
of Beiseker residents gather to witness the relocation of an
historic train station, July 19. The building, which is
about 100 years old, was moved 156 kilometres from Bassano
to the Beiseker Railway Museum, located on the west side of
the village. The station is awaiting restoration and a final
move onto its foundation later this summer.
Photo by
Dawn Smith, Rocky View Publishing
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After more than two years of effort, Beiseker is the new home of an
historic train station.
The circa 1911 station, which is 162 feet long by 31 feet wide, was
moved about 156 kilometres on July 19 from its previous home in
Bassano, where it had fallen into disrepair. The 100-year-old
building now rests on the west side of Beiseker at the Rail Museum
site awaiting restoration and a future life as a museum.
"This is one of the last wooden-framed stations that are available,"
said Fred Walters, Beiseker councillor and member of the Alberta
2005 Centennial Railway Museum Society (RMS), the organization
responsible for the move.
"There is 100 years of Alberta railway history (represented)."
Mammoet Movers oversaw the relocation of the building with a crew of
seven. The move cost about $400,000, money garnered from government
grants and community fundraising efforts.
According to Walters, restoration of the roof will begin as early as
July 23. The building is scheduled to be moved onto its foundation
later this summer.
Walters, who has lived in Beiseker for 18 years, added an early
estimate of the cost of restoring the station is $200,000. According
to Walters, three or four previous attempts to move the (station)
over the past year have failed due to permitting and equipment
problems.
About 50 curious bystanders were on hand for the train station's
entrance into the village on two flatbed trucks. The atmosphere was
festival-like, with kids cheering and adults taking photos of the
building.
Several media outlets were also on hand, including a cameraman from
the Discovery Channel's Daily Planet, which plans on featuring the
move in a future episode.
"This is awesome," said Melanie McCullough, who has lived in the
village for eight years. "The adrenaline is just going, you can't
even foresee the excitement until it happens."
Walters' wife Marion said she is proud of her husband, who played a
large role in bringing the station to the village.
"He has worked very hard to bring it here and he had a lot of
support from the community," said Marion of her husband of 53 years.
"I'm so thankful that it's here and he can say 'it's done.' He is 75
years old and this is keeping him young."
Lisa Kirkland, a member of the RMS, which is a non-profit
organization, was on hand to witness the move as well.
"I think most people are relieved (it's here)," she said, adding the
relocation went smoothly.
Kirkland said the society is planning on constructing a 300-foot
platform to the station and laying rail ties to mimic what the
station would have looked like about 100 years ago.
The station will join about 18 pieces of railway equipment located
on the land, mostly obtained from Canadian Pacific Railway,
including old cars dating as far back as 1921 and a double-track
snowplough built in 1930, the last built by the rail company, said
Kirkland.
Walters said the museum will be good for the village as it will
attract visitors.
"It will become a tourist attraction and small towns need tourists
to survive," he said.
News article: Alberta railway stations get a
new lease on life
(AgCanada Nov.2013)
News article: Benalto Train Station returned
to hamlet after lengthy journey
(Sylvan Lake News May 2013)
News article: Riders welcome train station
home to Benalto
(Red Deer Advocate Apr.2013)
News article: Big Valley station banks on
restored roof
(Stettler Independent Apr.2013)
News article: Benalto station move delayed
(Red Deer Advocate Mar.2013)
News article: Benalto train station to return
home after 42-year absence
(Sylvan Lake News Feb.2013)
News article: Former Benalto train station
donated back to community
(Red Deer Advocate Feb.2013)
Blog: Big Valley Canadian Northern Station
Celebrates 100 Years
(RETROactive Sept.2012)
News article: A new face for the old
station
(Red Deer Life July 1996)
Canadian Pacific Railway Stations in Central Alberta
Current Rail Heritage Preservation in Central Alberta
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