The Cochrane (Alberta) Eagle, 11/19:
Editorial
'National dream' turns 130
Railway constructed to build Canada is as vital as ever
A railroad runs through it and, with it, all the goods, services and progress 130 years on the rails brings.
Canada’s national railroad, or Canadian Pacific Railroad, celebrated a milestone anniversary earlier this month with little fanfare.
It was 130 years ago Nov. 7 that railroad financier Donald Alexander Smith hammered the ceremonial last spike into the steel strand linking Canada’s eastern shores to the West Coast. The last spike, signifying the completion of then the world’s longest (5,000 kilometres) railroad was driven into the ground at Craigellachie, B.C., where you can visit the spot commemorating the event just off the Trans-Canada Highway between Revelstoke and Sicamous.
The significance of Canada’s national railroad cannot be overstated in a national, or local, sense.
SNIP
So the next time you feel like grumbling at the train as you wait for it to pass at the River Ave. crossing, be sure to consider the importance of that train to our nation’s – and our town’s – history and continued economic progress.
After 130 years, our national railway has lost none of its significance to our nation and our community, and keeps chugging right along.
Continue here.