Bob Visits the CPKC Rail Yard and Museum in Chapleau, Ontario

On my latest adventure, I found myself in Chapleau, Ontario—a true railway town through and through. The history of this place is written in steel rails and the sound of locomotives, and I couldn’t resist stopping by the CPKC (Canadian Pacific Kansas City) rail yard to see it for myself.

As I walked along the tracks, I caught sight of a bright red Canadian Pacific locomotive, number 2305, parked against a grey northern sky. It stood out like a bold streak of colour, ready to take on the long stretches of rail that cut across Northern Ontario. Not far from it, a line of yellow maintenance-of-way equipment sat waiting, each machine with its own role in keeping the network alive and running smoothly. They looked almost like a construction crew, resting before the next big job.

But Chapleau doesn’t just celebrate its present-day railway operations—it also treasures its past. A short stroll brought me to the Chapleau Railway Museum, where Canadian Pacific steam locomotive 5433 is on proud display. The big black engine sits in a small park, complete with benches and flowers, a monument to the days when steam ruled the rails. Standing next to it, I imagined the heat, smoke, and noise it must have created as it thundered through this very town decades ago.

The museum itself gives visitors a glimpse into Chapleau’s long-standing ties to the railway. Photos, tools, uniforms, and stories from the people who lived and worked along the tracks bring the history to life. It’s the kind of place where you can feel how important the railway was—not just for transportation, but for building a community.

Chapleau may be a small northern town, but the railway makes it feel big, connected, and full of history. Visiting the CPKC yard and museum reminded me that railways aren’t just about trains—they’re about people, places, and the spirit of connection across Canada.