“In a long Canadian tradition of having special trains cross our country, RONA teamed up with VIA Rail to develop The Grey Cup 100 Train Tour which visited all eight CFL cities – including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Toronto and Montreal. It also visited Ottawa, Moncton and Halifax. Wrapped in famous Grey Cup images, the 302 metre, 730 ton train includes a high tech car that beautifully showcases the trophy and gives fans the opportunity to have their photo taken with the Cup and experience the lore surrounding it through videos and touch screens that link them to great plays, team photos, programs and even ticket stubs from past Grey Cup games.

A “museum” car features everything from a bust of former Governor General Earl Grey, who donated the Cup that bears his name back in 1909, to a jersey worn in the 1921 Grey Cup Game, to cleats worn in the 1962 Fog Bowl, to more than 18 Grey Cup rings that have been proudly worn by Grey Cup champions.

Another “team” car captured the stories of the CFL teams that will compete for the Grey Cup.  Fans toured a replica locker room, learned about their favourite players and saw highlights of their team in action.

The Grey Cup itself was also transported to other cities and towns not directly accessible by rail, visiting schools, hospitals and community centres.  In all, the tour will encompass over 100 stops, including some places the Cup has never been before.”

The above information was excerpted from an article published on the occasion of the start of the Tour in Vancouver. Click here to read the article. You can also visit the official Grey Cup Tour website by clicking here.

Stephen Gardiner, one of our TRHA volunteers took the opportunity to photograph the train at its last stop at the CNE GO Station just before the Grey Cup game. Some of his photos are shown below.

Posting by Russ Milland; Photos by Stephen Gardiner

Click on each image below for a closer look!