Last week marked the official launch of the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives’ narrative history of Jasper’s railway: Tied to the Rails: Jasper’s Railway Connection.
The book grew out of a Parks Canada technical report written by historian C. J. Taylor, which Jasperite Bob Covey then re-wrote and augmented with his own research, and museum employees—particularly Val Delill—edited and added to with pictures from the museum’s collection.
“[The original report] was interesting, but probably only to hardcore railroaders,” said Covey. “We wanted to make it more approachable, and more of a narrative, and capture the whole history, because there were some pieces missing.”
March 13, about 75 people—mostly Canadian National Railway Company employees and vets—crowded into the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 31 to celebrate the official launch of the book, and share stories from their own years on the tracks.
Covey began the evening by reading a few stories from the collection, before handing the stage over to the railroaders.
CNers speak in a language all their own, and their storytelling stretched long into the night. Most were full of bewildering lingo, but drew appreciative laughs from the crowd.
Former “Beanery queen” Rose-Marie Wall delighted the audience with her stories of robbery scares and serving “graveyard stew” at the railroad’s restaurant, and Warren Waxer talked about his time as a conductor.
“I do want to compliment Bob Covey for opening up a treasure trove of memories,” retired railroader Harry Home said at one point. “It reminds me, from my point of view … it wasn’t a job it was a 49-year adventure.”
After the panel, Covey sat at a small table signing books. He explained that he had a lot of fun talking to old railroaders to gather material for the book.
“This was an opportunity to tell some stories of some characters, and some cool individuals in town that my generation and my circle of friends don’t always get to hear from. I enjoyed the research, and I enjoyed digging into some of the lingo and language that railroaders are familiar with. I mean, gosh, these guys and gals have such strange, difficult schedules that a lot of these folks you might not even realize you’re sharing the community with.”
Tourism is the main industry in Jasper now, Covey said, “but we wouldn’t be here without the steel foundation.”
Museum Manager Karen Byers said that 200 of the books have been printed, and anyone interested in picking up a copy can swing by the museum.
 Trevor Nichols
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