Canadian Pacific Railway names Kamloops' interchange in honour of Chinese rail worker
27 Maggio 2005 - 11:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Canadian Pacific Railway names Kamloops' interchange in honour of
Chinese rail worker KAMLOOPS, BC, May 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Canadian Pacific Railway continues to honour the significant role
of Chinese railway labourers during railway construction more than
120 years ago. In a ceremony highlighted by a Lion Dance that
symbolizes good luck and good blessings, Canadian Pacific Railway
named a railway interchange in Kamloops in honour of Cheng Ging
Butt, a railway labourer who represented the dedication of those
who came forward to work on the CPR transcontinental line in the
B.C. interior. Thousands of Chinese railway workers helped build
the Canadian Pacific Railway from the West Coast to Eagle Pass in
the Monashee Mountains of Western Canada and many perished. "Cheng
Ging Butt is representative of the extraordinary people who
withstood hardships to not only help build a railway, but a nation,
as well," said CPR Vice President, Paul Clark. "The Cheng
Interchange also symbolizes the important role Chinese railway
workers made in the development of the entire railway industry in
Canada. In recognizing all Chinese workers for their sacrifices,
CPR is paying our deepest respects and gratitude." Joining the CPR
at the ceremony were members of Cheng Ging Butt's family,
representatives from the Chinese community in Kamloops and
officials from the City of Kamloops. "Our Grandfather was just one
of many Chinese men who worked on this railway. These men accepted
the risks involved and many perished; but most survived. Our family
was fortunate that our grandfather not only survived but also
prospered after working for the CPR," said Cheng Ging Butt's
descendent, Kevan Jangze. "Today, our children are fourth
generation Canadians, and have strong ties to the history of
Canada. We are proud to be Canadian and are privileged that our
grandfather chose to come to Canada to work for the CPR." The Cheng
Interchange is located just east of the CPR Station in Kamloops on
Lorne Street. An interchange is a key part for any railway, as it
keeps the efficient flow of rail cars from one railway to another.
The Cheng Interchange is the central junction point for freight and
passenger rail service in Kamloops. Mayor of Kamloops, Mel
Rothenburger, welcomed the designation of the Cheng Interchange.
"This is a fitting honour for all Chinese residents in Kamloops and
across the country whose forefathers built the railway. As well, it
demonstrates the role Kamloops played as a centre for western
railway construction and the fact it continues to be a rail hub for
CPR." In addition to the Cheng Interchange, Canadian Pacific
Railway announced a special monument in honour of Chinese rail
workers would be unveiled in Kamloops later this year. Clark added
what Cheng Ging Butt and the thousands of other Chinese railway
workers did many years ago made it possible for CPR to embark on
its recently announced $160 million western corridor expansion
project. "Their hard work and dedication to open up the west many
years ago makes our company's current expansion possible, which
will benefit Canada's economy for the future." About Cheng Ging
Butt Cheng Ging Butt was born in Southern China's Guangdon province
in 1858, came over to work on the railway as one of the thousands
who emigrated to Canada between 1881 and 1885. After 1885 when he
had completed his railway construction work with CPR, Cheng Ging
Butt settled by the tracks near Yale, where he ran a dry goods
store, a temple and farmed cherries, which he and his children sold
to CPR's dining car staff and passengers on passing trains. Married
with eight sons and two daughters, he also was the founder of the
Cheng Association in Vancouver. Cheng Ging Butt passed away in
1930. About Chinese Railway Labourers Between 1881 and 1885, 17,007
Chinese arrived in Canada (according to an 1885 Royal Commission on
Chinese Immigration). Up to 9,000 of them worked building the
railway for the federal government from Port Moody to Savona and
for CPR through to Craigellachie, B.C., during the 19th century -
from the West Coast to Eagle Pass in the Monashee Mountains of
western Canada. They helped greatly to achieve a united Canada.
About Canadian Pacific Railway Canadian Pacific Railway is a
transcontinental carrier operating in Canada and the U.S. Its
14,000-mile rail network serves the principal centres of Canada,
from Montreal to Vancouver, and the U.S. Northeast and Midwest
regions. CPR feeds directly into America's heartland from the East
and West coasts. Alliances with other carriers extend its market
reach throughout the U.S. and into Mexico. For more information,
visit CPR's website at http://www.cpr.ca/. Editor's Note: Digital
photographs of Cheng Ging Butt, Chinese railway workers and
Kamloops or images of the unveiling ceremony are available.
DATASOURCE: Canadian Pacific Railway CONTACT: Ed Greenberg, (403)
319-3686, (403) 540-8106 (cell),
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