The McAdam Railway Station, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary, has had major infrastructure upgrades to make operating the building sustainable year round.
Construction of the railway station began in 1901, and features architect Edward Maxwell’s Chateâu Style architecture.
The combined station and hotel was originally designed for passengers changing trains on their journey to the resort town of Saint Andrews. In 1976, the station was designated a national historic site due to its role in development of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR).
For McAdam Mayor Ken Stannix the station has stood the test of time.
“It’s pretty awesome when you stop to think about it, 125 years,” he said. “Probably not too many buildings in the country that have survived 125 years. And this one has particular importance to the nation and the nation building that took place in the country.”
The McAdam community played a large part in preserving the station and keeping its railway heritage alive.
Stannix said the railway station has always been a driver for tourism in McAdam, bringing in approximately 30,000 to 40,000 visitors to the station each year.
The station’s continued success depends on community support.
Former McAdam mayor Frank Carroll said approximately 125 volunteers help operate the facility throughout the year, serving on committees, organizing events, and welcoming visitors.
The railway station had been operating with an electric boiler that was expensive to maintain, Carroll said.
These $1.5-million infrastructure upgrades combine heat pumps with solar panels to reduce that cost, and improve environmental sustainability.
This new system allows heating and ventilation in the entire building, allowing it to operate year- round. These modernizations to the heating and cooling systems had to be invisible and implemented in a way that respected the integrity of the building as a national historic site.
Carroll, also the treasurer for the station, said these upgrades also allow for the possibility of the reopening of the historic hotel in the railway station. He highlighted a benefit of the upgrades to restore the hotel element.
“The heat pumps that are on the second and third floors are located so they would fit the potential design of the hotel rooms on the second floor,” Carroll said. “The third floor is not planned for sleeping quarters. It will be display and exhibits.”
Carroll said a committee is currently working with architects and designers as plans for the hotel’s restoration continue. The project would see approximately 20 guest rooms return to the second floor, while the third floor would remain dedicated to exhibits and guided tours.
During the station’s 125th anniversary celebrations, visitors can take part in special events celebrating its railway heritage. Anniversary programming includes model train exhibits, Railway Pie Sundays, historical presentations, and theatre productions.
As the McAdam Railway Station enters its next chapter, community leaders hope the recent investments will preserve one of Canada’s most significant railway landmarks for generations to come. By combining modern energy-efficient technology with careful heritage preservation, Carroll said the station continues to honour its past while creating new opportunities for tourism and community events.
