This car was built for the Canadian Government Railways during the closing days of
World War I and was named Dunravan. The CGR had been formed in 1915 to take over
the operation of the bankrupt National Transcontinental and the Grand Trunk Railway. It
was soon to also take over the failed Canadian Northern and in 1919 become the
Canadian National Railway.
"Nothin' could be finer than dinner in the Diner" go the words of the song. The meals
served by both the CNR and CPR were legendary. The tradition of fine railway dining
goes back to William Cornelius Van Horne, first General Manager of the CPR. He
believed in good food and lots of it, and insisted that the highest standards be maintained
by the railway. The other railways could only compete and the quality of the cuisine
could be the deciding factor between which line one chose to travel.
Meals were prepared in a galley, on coal fired stoves and served on monogrammed china
and heavy silver plate. There were up to 3 sittings for each meal and a dining car steward
would go through the first class section of the train to take passengers preferences.
As built No. 1246 had a seating capacity of 30 people. The car is 81'-10" long. It was
converted to a Cafeteria car in the late 1950's and had a seating capacity of 22. Eight
seats were removed to make way for a "take -out" counter and cash stand. Otherwise no
internal or external changes were made.
Eventually Dunravan was taken out of Dining car service. It was last used as part of the
Thornton Auxiliary Train at the NCR's port Mann Yard in Surrey, B.C.
