The David Davies Railway Collection encompasses all facets of railway history specifically in the province of British Columbia and the Yukon territory. The collection consists of research material accumulated over the course of more than fifty years, and includes monographs, periodicals, articles, clippings, railway timetables, photographs, maps and plans, and excerpts. Material covers public, tourist, and private (industrial) railways, including: CPR, KVR, E&N; CNR, CNoR, GTPR; and PGER, BCR. The collection excludes material regarding streetcar systems and rapid transit, but includes long distance electric interurbans.
File consists of:
- Canadian Rail issue no. 447 (July-August 1995) which is devoted to Canada's Railways in World War II
- Article by David Davies, "Wartime Freight in BC in WWII, 1939-1945"
- Summary piece by David Davies, "What happened in British Columbia in WWII? 1939-1945: A Review of Military Events"
Series consists of material regarding railway employees and work force. Includes information about training, safety, recruitment, labour relations, railway unions, job titles, managers, pay scales, and uniforms. Also includes collective agreements and operating rules for employees.
File consists of research material regarding train accidents in general and miscellaneous railway mishaps, which predominantly consist of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes information on locomotives lost in BC lakes and rivers; KVR wrecks; general rail safety; train collisions (including collisions at Edson and Hinton); the 1908 Fernie fire; train derailments (including derailments at Biggar, Prince George, and Kelly Lake), black boxes, and fire prevention.
File consists of research material regarding train derailments due to car or track failures, which predominantly consist of photocopy reproductions and news clippings from periodicals.
File consists of research material regarding trespassing, theft, and vandalism and accidents associated with those activities. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals.
File consists of research material regarding the early days Canadian Pacific Railway between 1880 and 1900. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following articles: "Bridging the Fraser at Cisco, 1882-1884" by Meridew; "Railway Tales from the Inland Sentinel" by Meridew; "Building the CPR through Agassiz and Port Hammond" by Meridew; "A Man with Connections: John A. Mara and the CPR" by Meridew; "Canada's Transcontinental Passenger Trains, 1886 and 1978" by Angus; "Pacific Division Sections from Abbott to Marpole, 1886-1909" by Meridew; "William Cornelius Van Horne" by Elson; "Coal Comes to Mountain Mainline" by Meridew; "Laying the Foundation" by D. Smith; and "C.P.'s Last Spike--100 Years Less Three Months, Later" by D. Johnson.
File consists of research material regarding the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway main line in British Columbia. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes information on tunnel boring, Craigellachie and the driving of the last spike, R.L. Harris, Onderdonk, and the incorporation of the CPR company.
File consists of research material regarding the Chinese labour force involved in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway main line in British Columbia. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes an article by Davies entitled "An Assessment of the Size of the Chinese Labour Force and the Number of Deaths incurred in Building the CPR in B.C. in 1880-1885".
Subseries consists of information about areas served by the Canadian Pacific Railway in British Columbia, including Metro Vancouver. Contains material regarding the Nakusp & Slocan branch, Kaslo & Slocan branch, Crows Nest Pass Railway, and other minor lines.
File consists of research material regarding the Canadian Pacific Railway in Metro Vancouver. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following works: "Rise and Fall of the Marpole Industrial Lead" by E. Johnson; "CPR's Arbutus Line: 10 Years After" by Smith; "CPR's Changing Scene on Lulu Island" by E. Johnson; "CPR's Vancouver Tunnel: A Tale of Two Portals" by Smith; "Railways in New Westminster Area"; "Arbutus Line Operations End with Last Run to Molson's" by Smith; and "C.P.R. Personnel Employed at Vancouver, B.C., 1889".
File consists of research material regarding the Canadian Pacific Railway English Bay branch in Vancouver. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following works: "The Late Kitsilano Railway Trestle, 1886-1982" by N. Adams; "The Dunsmuir Street Railway Tunnel in Vancouver--End of an Era" by Oakley; "English Bay Branch, CPR, Vancouver" (B.C. Rail Guide No. 8) by Davies; and "The CPR's English Bay Branch: The Intended Terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway?" by Davies and Nicklason.
File consists of research material regarding the Canadian Pacific Railway Nakusp & Slocan Branch, South Slocan-Slocan City Branch, and Kaslo & Slocan Branch. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following works: "Memories of CPR's Kootenay Switchbacks" by D. Purdy; "Cecchini's Lost Mine" by N.L. Barlee; federal legal documents about abandonment of the Kaslo Subdivision; "The Nakusp & Slocan Railway: Early Railway Days in the Kootenays" by D. Smith; and "Rosebery Barge Slip - CP Rail Kaslo Subdivision August 1983" by Davies.
File consists of research material regarding the Canadian Pacific Railway Crows Nest Pass Railway. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes information on the Crowsnest to Nelson route, the Kimberley branch, and the Kootenay Central Railway (Cranbrook to Golden).
File consists of research material regarding the CPR's Kettle Valley Railway Osoyoos Branch (Penticton to Osoyoos). Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals.
File consists of research material regarding the CPR's Kettle Valley Railway Nicola Spur (from Merritt). Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following works: "Merritt Subdivision Mileposts" by Sanford and "Summary of Information Related to the Application of Canadian Pacific Limited to Abandon a Portion of the Nicola Spur, Merritt to Nicola" (1979).
File consists of documents regarding actions taken to preserve the Kettle Valley Railway. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes material about the initial work to create the heritage railway, but excludes material regarding the Kettle Valley Heritage Steam Railway once it commenced revenue traffic.
File consists of material regarding the CPR operations of the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway between 1980 and 1998. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following works: "A Brief History of the E & N" by MacLachlan and "E and N Crofton Spur" by Davies.
File consists of research material regarding the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway after 1998. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following works: "The Crumbling E&N at November 2005" by Davies; "A New Life Dawns for the E&N as Foundation Takes Over" by Ian Smith; "Canadian Pacific First Generation Diesel Returns to Rail Log for CPR in the Alberni Valley" by Grist; and "E&N Demise Appears at Hand" by Ian Smith.
Subseries consists of general material regarding the Canadian National Railway in both Canada and British Columbia. Includes information about the history of CNR, chronologies, statistics, CNR management and administration, finances, and publicity.
File consists of Canadian National Railway original forms and paperwork.
File consists of research material relating to the Canadian National Railway. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following works: "CN Main Line in B.C. Route Description" by Lussier; "The Anderson Stove" by Reid; "Ice and Gravel at MP 23 Albreda Sub., near Lucerne, B.C." by Emmington and Lill; "Riding a CN Caboose on the Clearwater Sub., 1989" by Davies; and "CP Nepa/CN Coho - The East End Hotspot" by Clark.
File consists of research material relating to the Canadian National Railway trestle and embankment at Lyon Creek. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following works by Davies: "Embankment, or the tale of Buried Treasure and a Lost Locomotive" and "Embankment Update". Also includes information on the 0-4-0 contractor's locomotive #25 "Samson", which David Davies believed had been used in the construction of the embankment at Lyon Creek (further research has determined this speculation to be unfounded).
File consists of depictions of the Canadian National Railway Okanagan branch. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, clippings from periodicals, and postcards.
Series consists of information about the Pacific Great Eastern Railway and BC Rail, the provincial railway of British Columbia. Includes information about its history, construction, statistics, and its Dease Lake extension.
Subseries consists of material regarding the history of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway, the provincial railway of British Columbia. Includes promotional publications from the PGE, annual reports, information about the PGE at Seton Portage, and its transition into the British Columbia Railway in 1971.
File consists of research material regarding BC Rail for the 1990-1999 period. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following works: "From Vancouver to Prince George to Prince Rupert, and back" by Zimmerman; "BC Rail Launches Dinner Train Service" by Smith and Johnson; and BC Rail updates in the Sandhouse journal. Also includes BC Rail passenger schedules for 1993 and 1990, as well as 1996, 1997, and 1998 schedules for BC Scenic Rail Tours (Royal Hudson, Whistler Explorer, Cariboo Prospector).
File consists of research material regarding BC Rail line under CN ownership after 2004. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following works: "Kaoham Shuttle Continues BC Rail Passenger Tradition" by Ian Smith; "CN-BC Rail Partnership: The Right Fit" by CN; "Recalling a Vacation and Train Wreck at Seton Portage, 1969" by Davies; "BC Rail's Tough Future Focus of Special Conference" by Smith; and "BC Rail Handed to CN as Takeover Deal Approved" by Smith.
File consists of research material regarding VIA Rail's link with Amtrak, connecting Vancouver, BC with Seattle and Portland. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes Amtrak schedules for the Seattle/Vancouver route, "By Train to Seattle, Again: The Inaugural of the Mount Baker International" by Nicklason; and "Safe at any Speed: Amtrak asks FRA for Talgo Waiver".
Series consists of material regarding the Great Northern Railway in British Columbia. Includes information about its history, its branches in the lower mainland and in the Kootenays, the Nelson & Fort Sheppard Railway, the Crows Nest Southern Railway GNR branch, and Fernie.
File consists of historical, statistical, and general material regarding the Great Northern Railway in British Columbia. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following works: "The Great Canadian Railway Bluff" by Webb; "Farewell, CB&Q, GN, NP, and SP&S; hello, BN: Merger musings prompted by what took place on March 2, 1970" by D.P. Morgan; "Dismantling of G.N.R. Tracks Within British Columbia" compiled by Davies; and "The Third Main Line of the Great Northern Railway" by Ewert. Also includes excerpts from passenger schedules.
File consists of research material regarding the Great Northern Railway in the British Columbia outside of the Lower Mainland. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following works: "GNR Branch Line: Oroville to Princeton" by Davies; "Bedlington & Nelson Railway, 1900-1914" by Davies; "G.N.R. Branch in the East Kootenays, 1902 to 1936: Rexford (Montana, USA)-Newgate (Border)-Elko-Fernie-Michel" by Davies; and "G.N.R. Midway to Oroville Line" by Davies.
Series consists of material regarding the BC Electric Railway (1897-1961) and its successor, the BC Hydro Railway (1961-1989). Includes information about BCER interurbans, the Granville Island street railway, and the Nelson Electric Tramway.
Series consists of material regarding the White Pass and Yukon Route, a narrow gauge railway that links Skagway and Whitehorse. Includes monographs about the history of the railway.
File consists of research material regarding the White Pass & Yukon Railway. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following works: "A Trip on the White Pass & Yukon Route - 1994" by Lacey; "White Pass' New Gold" by Zimmerman; "Taku Tramway, 1900 to 1937: BC's Shortest 'Short Line' Railway at 2.3 Miles" by Davies; "The White Pass & Yukon Route" by MacBride; "America's Only Modern Narrow Gauge: White Pass & Yukon has Revamped Everything But Its Gauge" by Morgan; "Canada's Newest Steam Operation" by Meldrum; "The WP&YR's Lewis Lake Disaster: an 1899 Engineering Blunder" by Johnson; "Gold Rush Line" by Bruce West; "The Amazing White Pass - Part Two: Riding the Mixed to Whitehorse and Back" by D'Amanto; "White Pass & Yukon Route and the Ton of Gold Special"; "The 'New' White Pass & Yukon Route: Will It Be Standard-Gauged?" by Johnson; "White Pass Storms to New Passenger Records" by Johnson; "White Pass Centennial: One Hundred Years and Getting Better" by Nicklason; "WY&PR's Yukon Adventure Train Reaches Carcross" by Johnson and Cooper; and "When the US Army Took Over the White Pass" by Douglas N.W. Smith.
File consists of research material regarding the Kelowna Pacific Railway, which was created in 2000 from its predecessor, the CNR Okanagan Branch (which existed since February 15, 1926). Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes information about the creation of the KPR, the CN Okanagan Branch, the CNR Lumby Branch, KPR diesel locomotives, and KPR freight operations. Also includes an article by Robertson and Elchlepp entitled "Rails in the Okanagan" and a booklet by Overend and Bardsley entitled "Along the KPR: A Short History of one of Canada's Newest Railroads".
File consists of research material regarding the 3-foot narrow gauge Kaslo and Slocan Railway, prior to the standard gauging of 1912-1914. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following works: "Narrow Gauge in the Kootenays" by Hearn and "The K&S Railway" by Hearn and Wilkie.
File consists of material regarding baggage and express services for rail passengers. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes information regarding baggage wagons, freight weight rates, freight houses, and the Canadian Pacific Express Company.
File consists of research material regarding Railway Post Offices (RPOs). Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following works: "Railway Post Offices" by R. Thurlow Fraser; "Railway Mail Service in British Columbia" notes by Davies; "RPOs in British Columbia" notes by Jack Wallace; "Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway Passenger Trains and R.P.O.s" by Jack Wallace; and "Catching and Throwing the Mail" by Ted Lamson. Also includes information on postal services on the E&N, RPO cancellation stamps, mail cars, mail cranes and catchers, and mail sorting.
File consists of general material regarding rail freight transport. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes information about L.C.L. (Less-Than-Carload) service, freight way bills, car loading statistics, freight customers in British Columbia, freight revenue, freight car pooling, the effect of the 2008 recession on freight traffic, and freight on short lines. Also includes a 1969 CN booklet of "Car Sealing Instructions" and a 2004 publication by Jeff Wilson entitled "The Model Railroader's Guide to Industries Along the Tracks".
File consists of material regarding rail freight in transit. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes information about unusual freight loads, open loads, shipments of smaller locomotives on flatcars, unsecured loads, and LCL (Less-Than-Carload) freight.
File consists of material regarding freight loading and discharging devices. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes information about coal unloaders, rotary dumping, lumber loading, ore loading, loading and unloading of grain, and team tracks.
File consists of material regarding freight transport for the coal mining industry. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes the following works: "Once Accursed the Crowsnest Blooms" by G. Patrick Green; "Coal Mines of Vancouver Island" compiled by Davies; "How Strong is Coal?" by Andy Cummings; "Coal Mines in the East Kootenays of B.C." compiled by Davies; "Coal From the Crowsnest: How Canadian Pacific moves British Columbia Bituminous" by John Garden; "Cumberland: Coal-dust Memories Stir a Sleepy Village" by McGill and Strong; "Quintette Mine: The Heart of North East Coal"; and "Where's That Coal Train Going?" by Tom Murray.
File consists of material regarding freight transport for the coke fuel industry. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes information about coke ovens at Union Bay, Fernie, and Michel.
File consists of material regarding freight transport for the ore smelting industry. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes information about the Granby smelter at Anyox and Grand Forks, the Trail and Kimberley zinc and lead smelter mines, the Rio Tinto Alcan aluminum smelter at Kitimat, and the Greenwood copper smelter.
File consists of material regarding freight transport for the lumber and plywood industries. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes information about sawmills in British Columbia, lumber reload centres, companies that transport lumber by rail, Mountain Pine Lumber box cars, sawmill closures, the Council of Forest Industries of BC, and Fraser Mills in Coquitlam. Also includes a "List of Sawmills/Plywood Plants in BC since 1960s" compiled by Davies.
File consists of material regarding freight transport for the cement, brick, glass, gypsum, and limestone industries. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes information about Lafarge Cement, limestone quarrying in British Columbia, the cement industry at Kamloops, Clayburn Brickworks near Abbotsford, the limestone quarry and kiln at Pavilion, gravel processing, the Tilbury Cement Company, the gypsum mine in Falkland, and railway ballast quarries.
File consists of material regarding freight transport for the petroleum and liquid chemicals industries. Predominantly consists of photocopy reproductions, excerpts from books, and clippings from periodicals. Includes information about chemical tank car traffic in caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), bitumen (asphalt), ethylene glycol, sulphuric acid, petroleum, chlorine, ammonia, and other liquids.
Series consists of articles, clippings, and monographs regarding rail ferries in British Columbia. Includes information about freshwater rail ferries in the Kootenays and Okanagan and saltwater rail ferries.
Subseries consists of information about freshwater rail ferries in British Columbia. Includes information about ferries run by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the Kootenays and the Okanagan. Also includes information about the Canadian National Railway’s transfer barge services.