The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway built big, and the train station in Melville, Saskatchewan is no exception. This large two story building is the only one of its kind remaining in Canada.
The station was completed in 1908 and served the GTP, and later Canadian National Railways, for many years. A sister station was built in McBride, BC in 1914 but burned four years later.
After the heyday of passenger trains was over, the station fell into disuse. According to a news article in the September 20, 2019 “Melville Advance”, CN stopped using the station in 2002.
In 2006, the article says that CN applied to the federal government for permission to demolish the station. The station is covered under the federal Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act. Local citizens rallied and the station – obviously – wasn’t demolished.
In 2010, the Melville Rail Station Heritage Association acquired a 99 year lease for the building and has been restoring it. The roof was reshingled in 2011, and the stucco that was covering the original tongue-and-groove siding was removed.
The exterior appears to be mostly restored by this point. It’s unknown what the condition of the interior is. When the MRSHA took over the station, there was some water damage from the leaky roof.
The heritage association is a registered charity. Please consider donating to help their restoration efforts.
Donate to the Melville Rail Station Heritage Association
Passenger trains still stop in Melville. VIA Rail’s Canadian stops four times a week – two trains east and two trains west – but they do not use this station. A small white shack is trackside next to the GTP station.
Love the GTP decal on the door!