This is a spot where Society member's contributions, restoration and publications have been acknowledged by external entities.
Canadian Railroad Historical Association (CRHA) Awards
The Canadian Railroad Historical Association is a volunteer non-profit charitable organization, founded in 1932 and incorporated in 1941.
Its aims are the preservation and dissemination of information concerning railway heritage in Canada as well as the acquisition of artefacts and archival material that depict the historical or technological development of Canada's railways.
CRHA annual Awards recognize and honour individuals and organizations whose endeavours have contributed significantly to the recording and/or preservation of artefacts of historical value related to Canada's railways.'
Lifetime Achievement Award
To a person for a significant contribution over a period of years.
2014 Ross Robinson
The Lifetime Achievement Award nomination text highlights below might enlighten those who don't know Ross.
- Technical mentor on most every restoration project. Ability to teach others who show an interest and are willing to learn.
- Has a multitude of technical skills: carpentry, welding, machining, mechanical, cast iron mold design, and electrical/electronics.
- Documents his restoration projects so others can follow/replicate the process.
- Grand Trunk Western Railroad Caboose #77137. Purchased the caboose, moved it to Smiths Falls, Ontario where he restored it and later donated it to the Elgin County Railway Museum in 1998.
- Ross single-handedly stick-handed and restored the Smiths Falls station to what you see today. (Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario)
- Ross is a superman for anyone that ever loved a railroad museum. (Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, Campo California.)
- A magician is someone who not only excels in a number of trades but more importantly, intuitively knew how to solve a problem. (Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, Campo California.)
Photo courtesy Phil Jago.
2004 Earl Roberts
What can we say about Earl and his dedication/commitment to the Society? Well, the Lifetime Achievement Award nomination text below from J.R. Thomas Grumley, CRHA member 4851, speaks volumes:
- Has been intimately involved with the Bytown Railway Society since its inception and through his work many people benefited from increased knowledge of Canadian Railways.
- Has single handedly been the prime mover as Editor of Branchline issued ten (10) times per year, similar to Canadian Rail.
- Has also been the main person responsible of the yearly publication of the much successful Canadian Trackside Guide. This year will mark the 24th Edition.
- Was also intimately involved in the running of CPR #1201 during the 80’s and 90’s.
- He does not hesitate to share his railway knowledge with others.
- He has over the years given many presentations to selected railway organizations.
- All of the above makes him a fine candidate for this Award.
Photo courtesy Ray Farand
Preservation Award
To a person or a group of people, for an outstanding preservation or restoration activity in the Award year.
2003 Dr. Allan Westland
Locomotive à vapeur CNoR # 1112
Along with being a BRS member and Dirty Hands Club Volunteer, Allan also double-duty volunteers with the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario where his preservation work on Steam Locomotive CNR 1112, which is on static display, was awarded.
Here is the nomination text from Mr. Howie Reynolds, CRHA member 4618 Smith Falls, ON:
- Since 1999 has maintained and preserved our « 1112 Steam Locomotive » as well as rebuilt the gauges for the unit.
- As well as this huge job, has managed to completely restore a « CN Caboose » in its entirety. A magnificent piece of work mostly out of his pocket."
The photo shows Allan working on one gauge for CP 2858 on static display at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. The cab of CP 2858 was restored by the Society as a memorial tribute to Duncan du Fresne, 1930-2012. You can see more pictures of Allan's restoration skills in this Facebook Photo Album.
Photo courtesy Ed Bowkett Sr.
Article in a Non-C.R.H.A. Publication
For an article published in CANADIAN RAIL or other Division newsletter. For an article published in any other periodical or magazine.
2019 Brian Gilhuly
Band of Brothers Series on the Keefers, Shanlys and Abbotts, Branchline, Bytown Railway Society, 2018.
2001 Norman Lowe
"Canadian National & the Pullman Company Connection" Branchline, Bytown Railway Society, December 2001.
2000 Roderick Taylor
"The CASO Line: Rising from the Grave?" Branchline, Bytown Railway Society, June 2000.
1999 J. Norman Lowe
"Canadian National's Former Turcot Roundhouse, the Largest in Canada" Branchline Vol. 38, no. 10, Bytown Railway Society, November 1999.
Book award
For a book published in the Award year.
2011 J.R. Thomas Grumley
MONTREAL STREETCARS - VOLUME 4: WORK & SERVICE EQUIPMENT Bytown Railway Society, 2011
"Montreal Streetcars - Volume 4: 'Work and Service Equipment'" is our fourth book on Montreal Streetcars as the latest in our Traction Heritage Series. Again, author Tom Grumley has put together a well-researched book, this time on the non-revenue equipment of the street railways in Montreal.
The book is produced in a 11" x 8-1/2" format on glossy paper with the usual high quality photos and detailed captions found in our previous traction publications. It includes 52 pages, 99 photos, 33 in colour.
Please visit our Publications for Sale page to order a copy.
2010 Duncan du Fresne
WHEN STEAM & STEEL GET IN YOUR BLOOD - RECOLLECTIONS OF A CPR FIREMAN Bytown Railway Society, 2010
Duncan du Fresne's long awaited book, "When Steam and Steel Get in Your Blood - Recollections of a CPR Locomotive Fireman", is still available.
This book is about the work of a real honest to goodness, dedicated railway worker - a roundhouse hostler. Learn how he handled a potpourri of C.P. steam locomotives dating from 1904 to 1948, and ALCO S2 diesels. Details of the work, the workers, the foremen, the facilities, the winter weather, and the working conditions are all explained. "Written by a C.P. engineman, it's a railway book like no other."
The book contains 148 pages in a 8.5" X 11" format with 70 photos (5 are in colour). It is available in softcover.
Please visit our Publications for Sale page to order a copy.
2007 Omer Lavallée
CANADIAN PACIFIC TO THE EAST Bytown Railway Society, 2007
The Society's third award winning book*, "Canadian Pacific to the East - The International of Maine Division" is the story of CP's rail line through northern Maine which CP often referred to as the "Short Line".
Written by the late Omer Lavallee, the story includes information about the Canadian portions of the route in Quebec and New Brunswick. The 346 page, 8-1/2" x 11" book contains photographs including 92 in colour. It is a tribute to Omer, one of Canada's top railway historians and represents his last work before his death in 1992.
Please visit our Publications for Sale page to order a copy.
2006 J.R. Thomas Grumley
MONTREAL STREETCARS - VOLUME 2 : PEOPLE & PLACES Bytown Railway Society, 2005
This award winning book* is Tom Grumley's second on Montreal Streetcars in the Society's Traction Heritage Series.
Thoroughly researched, it includes 54 photographs (23 in colour) plus a bonus - a large colour fold out map of the 1929 Montreal Tramway Company system. Montreal Streetcars Volume 2 includes comprehensive captions and additional information, this time about the people and places around the streetcar system.
Please visit our Publications for Sale page to order a copy.
2002 Charles Cooper
HAMILTON'S OTHER RAILWAY Bytown Railway Society, 2002
This award-winning book* traces the history of the Hamilton and Northwestern Railway from its construction and ownership by the Grand Trunk to the takeover and eventual abandonment by Canadian National Railways.
The book is loaded with detailed information on the railway's history in words and photographs. It also includes photos and plans for many of the stations, bridges and culverts.
Please visit our Publications for Sale page to order a copy.
1989 Bytown Railway Society Inc.
CANADIAN TRACKSIDE GUIDE 1989
In 1989, the 8th edition of the annual Canadian Trackside Guide was published.
If you are interested in purchasing a copy of this year's edition and/or perhaps purchasing a copy from our shrinking inventory of Trackside Guide back-issues (at a reduced price), please visit our Canadian Trackside Guide page.