Thurso & Nation Valley Official's Car No. 27

In the earlier years of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the company was forced to build special cars for its officials as it did not have old passenger equipment to convert for official use. The solution was to design a short version of a business car to use by divisional superintendents. As a result 22 cars like No. 27 were constructed over a period of 12 years. Car 27 was built in 1907 at CP's Farnham Quebec in the Eastern Townships. Constructed of wood the car is 35 ft long.

In 1929, the car was purchased by the Thurso and Nation Valley Railway (T&NVR) for use by it's officials to travel into the woodlands north of Thurso, Quebec. It was used intermittently over the years and was included for special excursions by the Canadian Railroad Historical Association in the sixties and later by the Bytown Railway Society in the late 1970s. By 1979, the car was in poor shape and the railway was seriously considering burning it.

During a BRS fall trip that year, the Society offered to restore the car if the company would donate it. They agreed and went further by offering the use of their shop for the restoration project. As the restoration progressed over several years, the company even provided much of the wood required as well as other materials and tools required for the extensive work required. The Society owes a debt of gratitude for all the assistance the railway gave.

Following Car 27's restoration members occasionally enjoyed a trip on the T&NVR including several weekend outings into the wilderness where the car and the Society's caboose were parked on a siding and participants left to enjoy several days in the wilds.

[ Auxiliary ]   [ Car 27 ]   [ No. 10 ]   [ Caboose ]   [ Hy-Rail ]   [ Spreader ]   [ Boxcar ] [ Baggage Car ] [ Car 4977 ]

Last Reviewed: November 30, 2009