Biggar Encyclopaedia

Canadian National Railway

Biggar, Saskatchewan is still a Canadian National Railway divisional point, which the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) established in 1910. Biggar was established and named in 1909 after William Hodgins Biggar who was a General counsel for the GTP. According to Heather Robertson, during the summer of 1908, Biggar was taveling with other board of directors such as Charles Melville Hays and William Wainwright.in a private Grand Trunk Pacific Railway car across the western provinces. Hays was President of the GTPR, Biggar the solicitor and Wainwright the head accountant. They had named various geographical features sighted from the rail car window to be the future stations and divisional points. The town of Melville which became a divisional point is named after Hays, and the following divisional point was named by Biggar and the next named by Wainwright. At this time the feature chosen by Biggar was a large alkali slough 60miles (97km) west of the city of Saskatoon. When construction began of the first buildings at the Biggar divisional point they were on the south side of the tracks near the slough but were soon re-located to the hill on the north side which provided better drainage.

Biggar Train Station Call Boards

The original GTP train station - the biggest in Western Canada- which opened in 1910 was declared a Canadian National Historic Site in February of 1996 to commemorate Heritage Day. The Biggar Museum & Gallery's Royden Donahue Exhibit Gallery displays the Biggar Train Station call boards before the calling system was automated in 1986 and the demise of the use of this historical Train Station.

"In the very heart of one of the richest and best agricultural distrcts of all Western Canada-526 miles west of Winnipeg--267 miles east of Edmonton--2-- miles northeast of Calgary--300 miles northwest of Regina and 50 miles south of Battleford, is the prosperous, growing town of Biggar divisional point on the main line of the Grand Trunk Pacific and terminus of its Battleford and its Calgary lines. Besides being a divisional point of Canada's National Transcontintental Railway - the Grand Trunk Pacific -- Biggar is the terminus of its line to Battleford, also the terminusof its line to Calgary. These two lines are to be hurried to completion. Biggar is is also on the Canadian Pacific's Winnipeg Edmonton line....Biggar is destined to become an important commercial city and the railway centre of Western Saskatchewan. Biggar is past the experimental stage" so read an advertisement in the December 12, 1910 Montreal Gazette.

In 1912, the, GTP advertised "Your opportunity in the west" with a map showing the 1800 mile track between Edmonton and Winnipeg and its five divisional points. Lord Charles Beresford was quoted as saying"This is the country for investments. I came to get better acquaintance with the country ad the people, and also to into financial projects. And do you know what I am going to do as a result of my visit? I'm going to scrape up every penny I own and send it over here for investment. I've been all over the country this time from Montreal to Vancouver, and I say again it's the best country in the world".[1] The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway featured five great towns as a combination offer. "The towns of Melville, Watrous, Biggar and Wainwright are each Divisional Points, where are located round houses, shops, etc.and it is from these Divisional Points that branch lines are and will most likely be built.....Large sized lots, 50x140 feet, can be secured in these towns, convenient to business centre and well located, at prices ranging from $100 to $150 each, on easy terms. One lot in in each of these five best towns on the rand Trunk Pacific Railway from Winnipeg to Edmonton, a distance of 800 miles, (and which towns already boast populations ranging from 600 to 2,400) may be purchased for $500, with payments of $25 cash and $25 monthly."[1]	William Hodgins Biggar

In 1912, the, GTP advertised "Your opportunity in the west" with a map showing the 1800 mile track between Edmonton and Winnipeg and its five divisional points. Lord Charles Beresford was quoted as saying"This is the country for investments. I came to get better acquaintance with the country ad the people, and also to into financial projects. And do you know what I am going to do as a result of my visit? I'm going to scrape up every penny I own and send it over here for investment. I've been all over the country this time from Montreal to Vancouver, and I say again it's the best country in the world".[1] The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway featured five great towns as a combination offer. "The towns of Melville, Watrous, Biggar and Wainwright are each Divisional Points, where are located round houses, shops, etc.and it is from these Divisional Points that branch lines are and will most likely be built.....Large sized lots, 50x140 feet, can be secured in these towns, convenient to business centre and well located, at prices ranging from $100 to $150 each, on easy terms. One lot in in each of these five best towns on the rand Trunk Pacific Railway from Winnipeg to Edmonton, a distance of 800 miles, (and which towns already boast populations ranging from 600 to 2,400) may be purchased for $500, with payments of $25 cash and $25 monthly."[1]

William Hodgins Biggar

Teamsters Canada Rail Conference - Division 847 Biggar serves the Biggar divisional depot locomotive engineers and conductors on the Wainwright and Watrous CN subdivision lines. There are currently approximately 200 people employed by the CN resulting in over $12 income expenditures in the town of Biggar per year. "Extended-runs" between Melville to Biggar are possible because of high horsepower intermodal trains carrying loads of coal, grain, potash and goods.

The modern VIA stationette is located at the intersection of Railway Avenue and Main Street at the location of the historical GTP heritage site and began operations in 1978 following the discontinuation of passenger services via the CNR. Between 1981 and 1985 VIA lost some of its funding and passenger service was discontinued for this interim period. Biggar is one of five VIA stations in operation across Saskatchewan.

Biggar Roundhouse:

In 2007 Biggar residents collected signatures on a petition in an effort to save the GTP roundhouse which was constructed in 1909 for the servicing of locomotives. Use of the roundhouse discontinued in 1960 corresponding to the decline in railway service. The closure saw the exodus of 32 families. In the 1970's Biggar was fearful of losing its position as Divisional Point according to Heather Robertson. The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Roundhouse (later CNR Roundhouse) was listed on Heritage Canada Foundation’s 2008 Top Ten Most Endangered Places List as a "rare roundhouse on demolition track". The CN still owns the land, but sold the building structure to the Kurulak family for $1 with a clause stipulating the owner to clear away the roundhouse on the lease expiration. According to the Railroad Station Historical Society, Inc. the 1913 CPR station is now a park office situated on Highway 4 north of Biggar, and the 1913 GTP Argo depot is now being used as a residence west of Biggar on Highway 51.

Farmers picketed the CN Rail crew bunkhouse on November 10, 2000 to bring notice to the farm income crisis. The 30 who showed up were not enough to disrupt trains running through this area of Saskatchewan.

In late 1996 and 1997, the RCMP were concerned about people shooting out the railway lights. The vandalism causing monetary damages as well a traffic hazard for passing motorists. On September 3, 1997 a Via Rail Canada passenger train derailed 7.5 miles west of the town of Biggar. "The Canadian" was carrying 193 passengers on its journey east from Vancouver British Columbia when the second locomotive experienced problems with one of its axles. There ensued the loss of one life -an American women tourist. 64 people were injured, 13 seriously and a grass fired was initiated. Damages resulted to the railway track, both locomotives, three lawsuites and 13 train cars left the track. The accident resulted in improvements to the Railway Safety Act following interviews with survivors of the accident.

Canadian National Railway Station, Biggar, Saskatchewan

The GTP crossed Saskatchewan offering an alternate route to the transcontinental Candian Pacific Railway. The GTP was a subisidary company of the Grand Trunk Railway. Bankruptcy forced the Grand Trunk Railway to become nationalized. Canada's first Crown Corporation, the Canadian National Railway CNR was formed June 6, 1919, and undertook the mergers of the Grand Trunk Railway, The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, and the National Transcontinental Railway., and the Canadian Northern Railway. In 1995, this Crown Corporation was privatised and is now called the Canadian National or CN.

In October 1951, residents were informed that the Royal Train would stop at Biggar, however the party would not be disembarking. In November 1951, a large crowd amassed to view the Royal Train. King George V! of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions died February 6, 1952.

Three CNR tracks met in Biggar as early as 1924, the Dodsland branch, the Porter Subdivision and the GTP West line which became to be known as the CNR alphabet line.

Grand Trunk Pacific Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway

1925 rail line map with Biggar highlighted

1925 Waghorn's Railway Guide and map

In 1910, Biggar was strategically located on the Canadian National Railway Alphabet line, or Grand Trunk Pacific West. This line left Saskatoon north west from Saskatoon and was laid through Farley, Grandora, Hawoods, Asquith, Juniata, Kinley, Leney, Mead, and Neola before arriving in Biggar. The rail continued through Oban, Palo, Landis, Cavell, Reford, Scott, Tako, Unity, Vera, Winter, Yonker, Zumbro and Artland before arriving in the province of Alberta.

The Dodsland branch of the CNR connected Biggar and Loverna. Along this branch were the communities of Argo, Duperow, Springwater, Ruthilda, Downs, Ava, Adine, Dodsland, Millerdale, Beaufield, Coleville, Driver, Smiley, Dewar Lake, Hoosier, and Greene. At the greatest distance there were seven miles between stops, but most were closer together.

The Porter Subdivisional branch line of the CNR served to connect Battleford and Biggar. Extending south of Battleford, the train would travel through Dacer, Porter, Charlton, Red Pheasant, Cando, Salter, Lett, Oban, before arriving in Biggar. Two of these stations were nine miles apart, however the rest of the stops were located closer to each other along this branch line.

Historically, the Minnedosa, Saskatoon-Edmonton Section of the CPR was established in 1907. Trains would depart Saskatoon, and travel enroute through Cory, Dumferline, Asquith, Rhyl,Kinley, Perdue, Keppel, Vance to Biggar and leave through Oban, Naseby, Traynor, St. Alphege and Wilkie to the west.

Grand Trunk Pacific Railway GTPR or Canadian National Railway CNR Plaque

Planned at the beginning of the 20th century as a transcontinental line to rival the Canadian Pacific, the Grand Trunk Pacific was beset by managerial and financial troubles which prevented its profitable operation and it became part of the Canadian National Railways in 1920. The railway played a significant role in the development of the western provinces and many settlements such as Biggar, grew up from stations along the line. Its station buildings, like the Biggar example, remain a distinctive contribution to Canada's architectural heritage. Projeté au début du XX siécle comme réseau transcontinental devant rivaliser avec le Canadien Pacifique, le Grand-Tronc-Pacifique fut perturbé dans ses opérations par des difficultés administratives et financiéres. Il fut donc pris en main par les chemins de fer nationaux du Canada en 1920. Ce Réseau a toutefois joué un rôle important dans le dévloppement des provinces de l'Ouest et de nombreux établissements. Tels que Biggar, sont nés des stations situées le long de la ligne. Les gares de ces stations constituent un élément remarquable du patrimoine architectural canadien. Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. Commission des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada. Government of Canada Gouvernement du Canada

Planned at the beginning of the 20th century as a transcontinental line to rival the Canadian Pacific, the Grand Trunk Pacific was beset by managerial and financial troubles which prevented its profitable operation and it became part of the Canadian National Railways in 1920. The railway played a significant role in the development of the western provinces and many settlements such as Biggar, grew up from stations along the line. Its station buildings, like the Biggar example, remain a distinctive contribution to Canada's architectural heritage.

Projeté au début du XX siécle comme réseau transcontinental devant rivaliser avec le Canadien Pacifique, le Grand-Tronc-Pacifique fut perturbé dans ses opérations par des difficultés administratives et financiéres. Il fut donc pris en main par les chemins de fer nationaux du Canada en 1920. Ce Réseau a toutefois joué un rôle important dans le dévloppement des provinces de l'Ouest et de nombreux établissements. Tels que Biggar, sont nés des stations situées le long de la ligne. Les gares de ces stations constituent un élément remarquable du patrimoine architectural canadien.

Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. Commission des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada.

Government of Canada Gouvernement du Canada

Historical Photographs:

Elliott, W.G. Studio (March 12, 1914). "Title: Grand Trunk Pacific railway station, Biggar, Saskatchewan.". Historical Photograph Image No: NA-2256-51. Glenbow Museum. http://ww2.glenbow.org/search/archivesPhotosResults.aspx?XC=/search/archivesPhotosResults.aspx&TN=IMAGEBAN&AC=QBE_QUERY&RF=WebResults&DL=0&RL=0&NP=255&MF=WPEngMsg.ini&MR=10&QB0=AND&QF0=File+number&QI0=NA-2256-51&DF=WebResultsDetails. Retrieved 2010-05-06.

"First train on run to Battleford, Biggar, Saskatchewan Included in group are H. McLaren, H. Skinner, Ben Doan, Art Routley, Mr. and Mrs. Button, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Young. Also two children in group.". File number: NA-2870-34. Glenbow Museum Where the World Meets the West - Archives Photographs. 1912. http://ww2.glenbow.org/search/archivesPhotosResults.aspx?AC=GET_RECORD&XC=/search/archivesPhotosResults.aspx&BU=&TN=IMAGEBAN&SN=AUTO11468&SE=1532&RN=14&MR=10&TR=0&TX=1000&ES=0&CS=0&XP=&RF=WebResults&EF=&DF=WebResultsDetails&RL=0&EL=0&DL=0&NP=255&ID=&MF=WPEngMsg.ini&MQ=&TI=0&DT=&ST=0&IR=37302&NR=0&NB=1&SV=0&BG=&FG=&QS=ArchivesPhotosSearch&OEX=ISO-8859-1&OEH=ISO-8859-1. Retrieved 2010-01-25.

Bibliography:

"1951 to 1960 - Biggar Encyclopaedia". Wet Paint. http://biggarencyclopaedia.wetpaint.com/page/1951+to+1960. Retrieved 2009-10-23.

[2] "Biggar Future Important City of Western Canada Commercial and Railway Centre of Western Canada". Montreal Gazette. December 12, 1910. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1ncuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=A4UFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5266,4325631&dq=biggar+saskatchewan+. Retrieved 2010-03-10.

"Canadian Maps: January 1925 Waghorn's Guide. Post Offices in Man. Sask. Alta. and West Ontario". Minnedosa, Saskatoon-Edmonton Section of the Canadian Pacific Railway .. RE-Published online Online Historical Map Digitization Project.

SriMesh	Latest page update: made by SriMesh , Nov 27 2011, 6:41 PM EST (about this update About This Update Edited by SriMesh 6 words added view changes - complete history)
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