Welcome - The Train Messenger!

People and products have been travelling across Canada on trains for more than 100 years. Club, diner and sleeper cars are just a few of the types that carry the people, while the baggage, box and flat cars carry the stuff - from farm machinery to blueberry cake! The powerful engines, cabooses, crane cars and switchers do all the hard work to make sure everything and everyone arrives safely!

1754 Diesel - The '1754' was a diesel electric engine (meaning it runs on two systems: diesel fuel and electricity) originally built by the Montreal Locomotive Works in 1955. With a top speed of a 110 kilometers per hour and weighing in at a hefty 240 000 pounds, the '1754' was used mostly in the Maritimes as a road switcher to haul freight cars over long distances. The '1754' is still being used today at the Salem and Hillsborough Railroad Museum to haul around classic passenger cars!

Steam Engine 1009 - This powerful steam engine was used to help build the National Transcontinental Railroad and other important railroad lines throughout New Brunswick. Built in 1912 by the Montreal Locomotive Works, the '1009' is 57 feet long and weighs an impressive 196 000 pounds - about the weight of a dozen elephants! Today, this classic little workhorse can be found at the Salem and Hillsborough Railroad Museum in New Brunswick.

8245 Switcher - A diesel electric engine is really neat. It uses two energy systems: diesel fuel and electricity. Diesel fuel powers the engine's generator, which in turn creates electricity. This electricity is then directed to the electric motors that make the wheels go round! Originally built in 1958, the '8245' was the last of its class type with this type of six cylinder 1000 hp engine. Weighing in at 232 000 pounds, the '8245' could reach a top speed of 60 kilometers per hour. It was used mostly in yards where a little and powerful engine, and not speed, was needed! The '8245' spent most of its life working in the Maritimes and was retired from service in 1985. Today this unique little engine can be found hauling antique passenger cars in Hillsborough, New Brunswick.

The Lounge Car - The Lounge car was a passenger car where people could relax, enjoy a good meal or sleep while riding the train - all those things we do today in the family van while on vacation! The '1000' is 87 feet long and weighs a very hefty 176 000 pounds.

Sleeper Car - This luxurious car provided travelers with all the comforts of home. Passengers could eat and sleep onboard, never having to leave their room if they didn't want to! Imagine traveling across Canada at 60 kilometers an hour in your pajamas..."Sweet!" The '2079', or the 'St. John River Sleeper' as it was called in its heyday, was originally built in 1949. Today, a partially restored 'St. John River Sleeper' is on display at the Salem and Hillsborough Railroad Museum in New Brunswick.

Passenger Coach - No expense was spared in the construction this truly classic luxury coach. With leaded glass windows, a dark oak interior and hand-crafted solid brass taps and sinks, this passenger coach was like the nicest restaurant you've ever seen! Even the toilet was decadent, with its solid mahogany seat and pure copper water tank. Now that's luxury! The '2335' was originally built in 1914 by the Canadian Car and Foundry. It is 82 feet long, 14 feet tall and weighs 146 000 pounds. In 1983, the '2335' was lovingly restored and found a new home as part of the collection of the Salem and Hillsborough Railroad Museum in New Brunswick.

Colonist Car - The beds in this peculiar little car are bunk beds: the top bunk pulls down from the ceiling while the bottom bunk is formed by folding down the back of the car's seats. However, passengers sleeping on the top bunks have one small problem - there is only one ladder for all the top bunks! You either have to wait your turn to go up, or you get very good at jumping up and down from the top bunk…"Look out below!" The '2737 Colonist Car', better known by its nickname, 'The Chesterfield', was built in 1911 by the Pullman Car Company. It is 82 feet long, 14 feet tall, weighs 155 000 pounds, and had the very important job of transporting troops and immigrants during World War II. In 1983, the '2737' was shipped to Hillsborough, New Brunswick, where it is still in service today.

Box Car - The 'Box Car 506469' was built in 1930 by the Eastern Car Company. Slightly longer than a school bus, it was nicknamed the "Workhorse" of the railway. From larger loads, such as farm machinery, to smaller loads like packages and parcels, the 'Box Car 506469' faithfully carried its goods across the country.

Baggage Car - The '8605 Baggage Car' did not always serve as the Salem and Hillsborough Railroad Museum Ticket Office and Gift Shop. Built in 1919 by the Canadian Car and Foundry, the '8605' was used to carry baggage, parcels and anything else that needed to be packed away during a train ride. At 76 feet long, the '8605' stretched out to the length of two Tyrannosaurus Rexes!

Tank Car - A tank car is primarily used to carry water. Built in 1923, 'Tank Car 36025' is now part of the collection at the Salem and Hillsborough Railroad Museum in New Brunswick.

Crane Car - The 'Crane Car 414324' was the Superman of train cars: it had the very important job of lifting various trains and placing them onto the track. Yet, unlike Superman, the 'Crane Car' had a partner - it was attached to a car called the 'Boom Car'. Together, the two cars could be pulled by a train. The 'Boom Car' also provided storage for things the crane might need, such as spare parts, construction materials, tools, cables, railway ties and even track. Today, this hard working pair can be found on display at the Salem and Hillsborough Railroad Museum in New Brunswick.

Caboose - One could easily spot the 'Caboose 78829' - usually red in colour, it was most often found attached to the end of the train. Seen mostly with freight trains throughout the Maritimes, the 'Caboose' was used by the train crew as a place to sleep, eat and rest while working on the railway line.

Flat Car - The 'Flat Car 662101' was built in 1944 by the Canadian Car and Foundry. Approximately 45 feet in length, it was used for transporting large loads that did not fit inside a box car, such as lumber or steel. The '662101' carried its most interesting load in 1995, when it transported the world's largest blueberry cake and didn't lose a crumb! Today, the car is part of the collection at the Salem and Hillsborough Railroad Museum in New Brunswick.

Diner Car - The 'Diner Car 6733' was built in 1950 by the Canadian Car and Foundry. Measuring 85 feet long and weighing 147 000 pounds, it provided passengers with a relaxing place to enjoy a good home-cooked meal while traveling by train. In 1985, this car was affectionately named "The Sunset". Today, it still serves up many a fine meal as a diner car on the Hillsborough tourism railroad.

Post Car - As you may have already guessed, the '74993' was used as a mobile Post Office that delivered mail across the country by train. The '74993 Railway Post Office Car' was built in January of 1942. It is 77 feet long and weighs 152 000 pounds.

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