CPR-Lyleton Branch to Waskada

After much hard work, locals in Waskada convinced the CPR to build a rail line southwest of Deloraine. It reached as far as Waskada in 1900.

Stories

#The fight to build and keep a rural railway line **1900-1966** ##CPR Monopoly No single event changed the fate of Western Canada more than the coming of the railroad. In 1881 the Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CPR) received a charter to link the east and west coasts of Canada with tracks of iron. In addition to receiving a monopoly on the main transcontinental line, the CPR was also given the right and responsibility to build branch lines 80 kms to either side of the main line. No other Canadian company was permitted to build a branch line inside CPR territory, therefore the company was able to advance at their own convenience due to the lack of competition. ##Anticipation and Frustration Settlers in the area of Waskada and Goodlands in southwestern Manitoba waited in great anticipation for a branch line to be built through their communities. Year after year the CPR announced that there were plans in the works to build a line that would run southwest of [Deloraine](item=deloraine) to [Goodlands](item=goodlands), [Waskada](item=waskada), [Coulter](item=coulter) and [Lyleton](item=lyleton), yet year after year the rail line failed to become a reality. Locals were frustrated because they keenly understood that rural access to a mode of transportation was vital to an agricultural economy. The train brought supplies, without which the practice of farming was much more difficult. In addition to transporting farm machinery, lumber, and coal, the train also delivered passengers and mail. [[inline:right:lyleton-branch]] Repeated delays moved J. S. Thompson of Waskada to take the issue …

(1967 - Present) The Waskada Museum presents an impresseive array of pioneer artifacts that sprawl over 1,100 square metres and five buildings.