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The Royal Train which followed Vice-Regal Train (carried the Govenor-General
and suite, premier, Sir Wifred Laurier, members of Parliament, etc.) by thirty
minutes was conducted by Andrew Rainie of Saint John, the oldest conductor on
the Intercolonial Railway. It was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company
and carried the Royal party on their continental trip across Canada ( Quebec to
Vancouver, and back to Saint John and Halifax, 8000 miles in all). It consisted
of nine cars, which weighed 395 tons , were 730 feet long, all being lit by
electricity, and equipped with electric bells, telephones, hot and cold water,
etc. It was an fine example of mechanical skill for the time.
Cornwall, the day coach, had
a broad roomy observation platform at the rear. A plate glass door opened into
a reception area and an apartment decorated in Louis XV style. Almost the
entire room, except the framing and half the sidewalls, was plate glass so as
to provide an unobstructed view for the occupants. From the reception area, a
winding corridor led to the Duchess boudoir, which was upholstered in silk and
walls decorated with paintings a la Watteau. Up farther was the dining room
with its paneled walls embellished with the armorial bearings of the King, Duke
and Duchess, and the coat of arms of the Dominion.
The night coach, York, was reached through
a vestibule with soft green plush curtains. It contained the bedrooms and
bathrooms of the Duke ( tinted in gray and crimson) and Duchess (tinted in
blue), ladies and gentlemen in waiting, and the servants'.
Canada, the third coach, was a compartment
car containing five, luxurious staterooms, dressing room, lavatory and shower
bath, and a comfortable parlour.
The remainder of the train consisted of Sandringham which was the dining car of the staff,
and the sleepers Australia, India, and South
Africa, which included the secretaries' office and medical
dispensary.
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Brunswick Community College - Saint John.