The Crossbuck - Wainwright Rail Park

Matapedia Display Room
Raised from the ashes
With the spring announcement of the
Donation of the Cisco Bridge, we had
to find an appropriate place to display
it. Our thoughts immediately turned to
the burned out end of the sleeper
“Matapedia”. The blind end of the car
had suffered extensive fire damage
while in CN service. After consulting
with several prospective carpenters, it
was agreed that a 9 x 32 foot display
area would be built while preserving
much of the cars integrity.
Ed Shaw agreed to mastermind the
project. Brian Hills, John Zacharias, and
Doug Haire were enlisted as assistants.
Little did they know what lay ahead!
Application was made for a Museums
Alberta Special Project Grant to
fund the project. The application was
successful and in June
we received $4,749.50
to cover a portion of
the costs incurred with
the construction.
Phil Valleau, Cliff
Beazley, Lloyd Hill
and Don McGuire began
the task of removing
the burned materials
from the car, and
estimates of materials
were gathered for
flooring, building materials and paint.
By July we were ready for reconstruction.
False walls were added to the
outside walls of the car and extra insulation
added. The walls and ceiling were
finished with drywall. An area approximately
16 feet long was provided for the
Cisco Bridge, with the end walls coved
to provide a continuous backdrop. The
end walls and curved ceiling of the original
two original bedrooms were preserved
to provide additional display
space. The existing oil burning furnace
was utilized with new ducting run
through the ceiling. The windows were
framed and trimmed with oak. Oak was
Wainwright Star Chronicle photo
Volume 6, Number 2 Page 4