Revelstoke Railway Museum / Laundry Day

We had breakfast in the sun with pancakes 😋 and started planning the day when dark clouds appeared. Shortly after, it started raining heavily 😳. We considered leaving earlier in this weather, but the clouds already dispersed.

So we decided to drive the short distance to Revelstoke and split up. Berni went to the "Revelstoke Railway Museum" and us girls strolled through the city. Well, there was actually just one main street with a few shops (mostly outdoor stores) and a food store on one corner...

Revelstoke Railway Museum

Today, I devoted myself to the railway history of Canada and visited the Revelstoke Railway Museum.

However, I had to cross the train tracks first. It was just my luck that a train was coming at that moment. So I had to wait for several minutes until it passed. Eventually, I stopped counting the cars. It just didn't seem to end...

Finally inside the museum, I was greeted warmly and received my entrance ticket. The museum itself is not very big, but it is nicely done. The first exhibit explains the history of Canadian Pacific. I learned that the company almost went bankrupt shortly before completing the connection in 1884, or that when constructing from the west side, they ran out of rails because they were working too fast in shifts!

On November 7, 1885, the last railway spike was driven in, completing the east-west connection as competition to the American one.

Inside the museum, there is a Mikado P-2k steam locomotive, which was operated with oil and served as a pusher for about 40 years until 1993. These locomotives were called pushers because they were attached in front, in between, or at the end of heavy trains to transport them over steep ramps to the passes.

Next to it is a business car for passengers with nice compartments for sleeping, a kitchen, a dining car, and a salon for smoking! Those were the days.

On the gallery, there is also a model train by the Revelstoke Model Train Club. Outside, there is more rolling stock, including a caboose and 2 snow plows.

All in all, it's a nice place and worth a visit. Especially because the weather wasn't so great this morning.

Back at the campsite, I was able to do our laundry. It's always a small highlight with these big washing machines and dryers where you still have to put in dollars 😝.

Afterwards, we planned and booked our further journey to the west. Luckily, there is usually wifi at the reception 😊👍!

In the evening, we sat together comfortably with Birgit and Stefan. Our "paths" will separate again tomorrow. They are heading towards Banff National Park and we have booked our next spot in Kelowna. It was great that our paths crossed by chance. We were able to give each other tips and advice.

We wish you a safe journey, dear Herth family!