Building a Railway

Engineering

Surveying

Construction

Tunnels

Bridges

Workers

Shelter

Food

What the heck are these men doing? Copyright/Source

Today we can only be filled with admiration at the endurance and spirit of the people who experienced some of the world's harshest weather and landscapes to build the railway that stretched from sea to sea. They were survey crews, grading gangs, bridge-makers, track-layers, telegraph teams, sorters, dispatchers, trainmen, labourers, paddlers, carpenters, cooks, tailors, shoemakers, blacksmiths, doctors and many others.

The Kids Book of Canada's Railway and How the CPR Was Built, by Deborah Hodge, illustrated by John Mantha. Toronto: Kids Can Press, ©2000, 48 p. Ages 8 to 12 A Ribbon of Shining Steel: the Railway Diary of Kate Cameron, by Julie Lawson. Markham, Ont.: Scholastic Canada, ©2002, 204 p. Ages 9 to 12