Royalty Rides The Railroad

- by  P. Gail Whiteford

Once the railway spanned Canada, it was easy for the monarchy to visit right across Canada, including many small towns.  That way, the royals could see Canada, and the population could see the visiting royalty.  But, the actual trips took up to a year to organize.

One of the most famous visits across Canada was that of the Prince of Wales, who became Edward VIII, in the late 1800’s, but it was the Royal Visit of 1901 that set the pattern for royal visits even through to today.

When Prince George and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, later King George V and Queen Mary, visited Canada in 1901, they went across the whole country from Quebec City, where they landed on 16 September 1901, to Victoria, and then back again.  They left Canada in October of 1901.

The Royal party consisted of two sections.  The first, a pilot train, travelled about ½ hour in advance of the Royal Train.  This was not only for security but to protect the Royal Train from any problems on the track or with the crowds who flocked to see them.  Every foot of track was patrolled by track-workers, RCMP and local police.  Each stop on the way was examined and diagrams of the station buildings and surrounding areas were closely checked.  Security checks were carried out on anyone who would come in contact with the Royal visitors.

A year before their visit, an envoy was sent to review each stop along the route and to check security.  As well, the Canadian Pacific Railway built the Royal Train especially for the visit.  There were three cars with bedrooms, parlors and bathrooms just for the royals, as well as cars for their staff.  There was even a medical car, in case of any emergencies.  The cars were connected by telephones a marvel at the time.

The day coach “Cornwall” and the night coach “York” were specifically for the use of the royals.  The two coaches were mahogany exterior and fully electric with lights.  The Cornwall was the last coach, with an observation deck, so that their Royal Highnesses could have an uninterrupted view of Canada, and also be seen easily by the public.  The Cornwall had a Reception Room, Bedroom, Dining room and Kitchen, all decorated in walnut and enhanced with antique gold and blue trim, in the style of Louis XV.  There was even a piano in the Reception Room.  Paintings and the coats of arms of the Royal couple adorned the walls, and the ceilings had latticework to provide ventilation. The dining room was green and gold, with all furniture in velvet with gold trim.

A day car, “Canada” and a sleeping car “Australia” were specifically for the use of other dignitaries including the Prime Minister, Governor General, and other family members, while “Sandrinham”, a dining car, and “India”, a sleeping car were for their staff.  “South Africa” was the car for the press and others invited on the journey.  As well, there were two cars for luggage and another for accommodation of the railway employees.

The train travelled to Alberta (then the Northwest Territory) and stopped in Laggan, where the Royal couple admired the evergreen decorations of the station.  While travelling through the Fraser Canyon, they and several of their staff rode on the cow catcher on the first engine.  While the Royal couple enjoyed their trip through the Northwest Territory, they commented on the weather.  When they were in Calgary, they experienced terrible heat in the morning, followed by an afternoon hailstorm, a cold wind and a fall of over 50 degrees Fahrenheit in temperature.  The Royals returned to England with praise for Canada and their loyal subjects.

Royalty Rides the Rails, the first show of Aspen Crossing Theatre, takes its story from this visit.  It explores the nefarious goings-on during the Security Visit a year before The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall arrive in Canada.  With the disdainful Sir Snively Sicophant-Smythe in charge of the visit, and a famous outlaw close-by, only dastardly deeds can be the outcome.  A murder mystery, the show allows the audience to enjoy a 3 course served dinner, and then decide who dunnit. For more information on the Aspen Crossing dinner theatre or tickets visit http://www.aspencrossing.com/#!dinner-theatre/c1m5v.