FINAL TOUR STOP BRINGS HISTORY TO LIFE IN VANCOUVER

VANCOUVER – An historic steam train tour that took thousands of British Columbians on a journey through British Columbia’s rich and diverse history visited its final stop in Vancouver today. The rail tour with its vintage steam engine and fully restored train cars was a BC150 flagship event, visiting 34 communities along the Canadian Pacific railway route.

“The CP Spirit of 150 Rail Tour recognized the important role rail travel has always played in B.C.’s heritage,” said Finance Minister Colin Hansen, who attended the final stop. “It’s the perfect venue for commemorating the 150^thanniversary of the Crown Colony of British Columbia.”

“All year long communities in every corner of British Columbia will share their stories with the world,” said Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Bill Bennett. “We’re celebrating our province’s Aboriginal people, cultural diversity, community strength, innovation, and countless achievements. The rail tour was an integral part of those celebrations.”

The CP Spirit of 150 Rail Tour was co-sponsored by Canadian Pacific, which operated, staffed and maintained the train. The train included the vintage Empress 2816 steam locomotive and support cars, two vintage passenger coaches, a vintage business car, a heritage baggage car converted into a travelling museum and a vintage stage car. Visitors viewed historic displays, watched a stage show called Motherlode, and interacted with costumed performers depicting some of B.C.’s most entertaining and notorious historical figures.

"Like our annual Holiday Train each December, the CP Spirit of 150 Rail Tour provides our employees an opportunity to connect our past, present and future in the communities we serve every day," said Canadian Pacific president and CEO Fred Green. "Canadian Pacific's 2,400 British Columbia-based employees are proud to partner with the Province and celebrate 150 years of opportunity in Canada's Pacific Gateway."

Audiences were also given the opportunity to experience another BC150 flagship event - the Royal BC Museum’s Free Spirit: Stories of You, Me and BC exhibition, located in the museum car - even if they were unable to view the main exhibition being held in Victoria. Free Spirit explores the people, places and events that have shaped the province into what it is today.

BC150 is a celebration of the 150^th anniversary of the founding of the Crown Colony of British Columbia in 1858. Every community is invited to participate in this year-long celebration of B.C.’s cultural diversity, community strength and achievement. For more information on BC150 events and programs, please visit www.bc150.ca

Canadian Pacific is the official rail freight services provider for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Visit www.cpr.ca for more information on Canadian Pacific.

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Media contact:	Victoria Klassen Communications Manager Tourism, Sport and the Arts 250 387-2799	Mike LoVecchio Senior Manager - Media Relations Canadian Pacific 778 772-9636

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