Family hands over photos, journals from storied railroad past
A family with a rich history in Alberta’s railways is hoping to share a little bit of what life was like living on the tracks.
Three generations of the family of Johnny Deakin — former Northern Alberta Railways superintendent — visited the old family railcar at the Alberta Railway Museum Saturday afternoon to donate a display with photographs and memories from one of the youngest train residents.
Deakin was the railway superintendent from 1928 to 1953 and his family spent numerous summers travelling with him in the superintendent’s private car, named Dunvegan.
His youngest son, Stan Deakin — who died in 2010 — documented his summers living on the train and his family decided to gift these historic photos and journal entries to pair with the car at the museum.
Stan Deakin’s granddaughter Allie Coppin and her husband Matt Coppin from St. Louis, Mo., came up with the idea after discussing a trip to visit the two Dunvegan cars in Alberta — the other is in Calgary.
“When people come through the car, not only do they get to see the car, but it puts some real life stories to the actual train car itself,” Matt Coppin said.
It was the first time seeing the car for the pair as well as their two kids, Anna, 10, and seven-year-old Henry.
“I personally like older things and just knowing that some of the old things our family actually had a part in is really cool,” Anna said in the family room of the car.
Diana Deakin-Thomas, Stan’s youngest daughter, said she remembers much of the detail and furniture of the car — which is still in livable condition — from when her father would bring her to the rail yard as a child.
“Stan loved working with the cook,” she said of her father, who made his first trips on the railway when he was about six. “He always talked about all the great food he got to eat. He tried everything.”
Titled Growing up NAR, the new display includes stories and photos from Stan Deakin reflecting on railway life travelling across northern Alberta.
Unveiling the display in the dining room of the car, Allie Coppin said they are excited to pass this added piece of history to future generations — just like it had been in their family.
“I think anytime there’s a real story that goes along with an old thing, it just makes it more exciting,” she said.
When people come through the car, not only do they get to see the car, but it puts some real life stories to the actual train car itself.