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Caption: Moose Jaw's former Union Station is one impressive structure. Massive, to reflect the glory days of the CPR. It was probably the most prominent building in the city when it was constructed in 1920-1922. The tower, with its four-faced Standard Electric Time Clock, keeps good time, having been fully overhauled in 2003. The station is no longer used by the CP, having seen its last passenger train back in the 1970s. As well, back in the day this was also a CP-SOO transfer location, before SOO became part of the CP empire. Currently inside the building is probably the fanciest liquor outlet I have ever seen, and I've seen a few. The interior has been preserved just like original, plus endless supplies of booze to check out. Just about any you could imagine. Minimum visit: 1 Hour. :o)
In 1999 the this majestic structure was formally recognized as a Heritage Railway Station.
Oh, and out front, after servicing and ready to depart the yard eastbound is probably the most significant of the special tribute Heritage units put out by CP, the 6644 (rebuilt from 9160) which of course commemorates that famous Normandy Invasion of June 6, 1944. Running solo this trip, it appears to be the most traveled of the five military heritage units released.
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Great shot.
Hasn’t travelled to Montreal often enough, this one still eludes me.
Mr. Berry: You have no idea how much you have seen that has eluded me.
) Your day will come!
Haha, fair enough!
Mr. Mooney, love your far ranging road trip photography and your attraction to railroad stations, photographing them and then posting with interesting and informative captions ! To me it’s heartwarming that some of the CPR grand western stations have not only been restored, but are very much in daily use. Although I passed through this station in the night (June 1954, sound asleep in a lower berth), have never been back to see it. Sounds like the fancy liquor store inside is competing with the LCBO Summerhill flag ship store in the CPR North Toronto passenger station. Both have great clock towers, but I think North Toronto’s is better ! And mberry, just keep going out and doing your photo adventures, 6644 will show up sooner or later – hope you catch it on my favourite photo site of yours, the St Lawrence River bridge. Happy New Year to both of you and thanks for posting Mr. Mooney. John
Thank YOU, John; and best for 2021. Oh, North Toronto’s clock tower might be better, but see by the photo Moose Jaws’ has more pigeons!!
Nicely done.
Thanks, Lad. It was interesting trundling around thru “your” territory.
Even Chicago Gangster Al Capone detrained at this station!
Yes, very much so, Robin! Right across the street is a motel called Capone’s Hideaway; with a big sign and a 1920s model car on top!
Great picture Mr. Mooney. Actually though, according to my mother who was born in MJ in 1919, it was the Robin Hood Flour mill with a large picture of Robin Hood that was the most prominent; at least in her memory. Thanks for visiting and posting from there.
The last time I saw the station was in 1989. A freight derailment west of Moose Jaw caused the Canadian to be annulled. VIA was using a small portion of the building as its station. Buses were ordered and 500 miserable miles later I arrived in Banff. I passed the station twice just before the route was cut in Jan. 1990 but I was sleeping both times.
500 miles by BUS!!!??? UGH!! We take trains to avoid the bus. Sad story indeed. But at least you got to where you were headed, and I hope the rest of the trip was fun.
It was not the only “bustitution” I have had with VIA, but certainly the longest. Mercifully I was able to get back to Toronto by train a few days later.