Full Baggage car # 4481 (arrived 1979)
Original Floor Plan and Interior of the # 4481
The # 4481 is a sister car
to the # 4489 explained earlier, but the # 4481 had
been converted to a full baggage car. It was purchased by the
museum to use temporarily for multi-purpose functions because
of its wide open spaces and non-fragile surfaces.
(INSERT B&W "As Found" INTERIOR PHOTO ).
A Brief History of the # 4481 before its Arrival at the Museum
The # 4481 was changed to a full
baggage car in the 1940's and then to a horse express car for
the RCMP's Musical Ride in the 1950's. It was found in this condition
in Quebec City in 1979, and donated and brought to Cranbrook gratis
by the railway.
Work done on the # 4481 after its Arrival at the Museum
On arrival, this car was stripped of its metal clad interior (walls and cielings). This was made more difficult because of rusted screws. Upon removal, original window openings and metal clips for bulkhead panels were discovered and this is proof of its former status as a baggage-dormitory car. 14 oak plank horse stalls also survived and were removed - the wood used later in other projects. The well-worn wooden plank floor (covered with dried manure) was also removed to reveal a one inch-thick plywood sub-floor which was maintained as the final floor. All walls and ceiling were insulated and re-wired where possible, then the metal cladding was reinstalled and the ceiling painted flat black The walls were covered further by 3/4 ply covered with borax-treated burlap to reduce fire spread, and create a surface for flexible use, including the many exhibitions that were planned. Track lighting was installed along the ceiling, and more rigid insulation was applied with another covering of black material to provide increased lighting control for special effects. The 4 large baggage doors were repaired with glass reinstalled in the windows.
Having opened in late 1979 as an exhibition gallery car, this space has hosted more than 30 displays in local and touring arts and history. One of the most popular exhibits was on model railways. In 1986 the gallery function was stopped due to the visit of the train to Expo'86 where it was used as a gift shop and visitor reception area. After the train's return from that World Exposition, it was decided that the museum could not continue the program because of increased museum responsibilities and programming for a greater number of cars than had existed when # 4481 first arrived. The task of keeping the exhibition program was given to a separate society, which unfortunately survived only until 1990. In 1991, an arrangement was made with the Cranbrook Model Railway Group to build and maintain a model railway in this space. A long-held understanding with that group was that if the exhibition program could not be continued, the use of the car would go to the modellers. They still maintain an ever-growing model representing historic features of the Crowsnest Route of the Canadian Pacific Railway - a route which celebrated its centennial in1998. After its move to the larger Freight Shed facilities, the model will be relocated to the lower level of this building.
Work Yet to do on the # 4481 (as of 1999)
This car will not be used in the Trans-Canada Limited set, and its future is undetermined at this point. The original wheel sets will be traded with the modernized ones on the Rutherglen.
Other notes of the # 4481 (Yet to do)