CBC Archives

You must sign in to leave a comment on this clip.

CPR unveils its first 'roomette' sleeper cars

Broadcast Date: March 21, 1949

It's a rolling miracle of comfort and privacy. Next month, Canadian Pacific Railway will offer the ultimate luxury: custom-built private sleeping cars. The first post-war sleeping car designed by CPR is called "The Ashgrove." Clever creature comforts include a picture window, ice water, personal thermostat and air conditioning controls, a fold-down Murphy bed, and a toilet disguised as a lounge chair. CBC Radio's Edna May gets a sneak peek of the miniature hotel room on wheels.

CPR unveils its first 'roomette' sleeper cars

• Sleeping cars have been around since the 1800s. The most famous manufacturer was The Pullman Company of Chicago. George Pullman invented the Pullman Sleeping Car in 1857. By 1894 his first class sleeping cars operated on every major railroad in the United States, and "Pullman" was a household word synonymous with sleeping car. Canadian Pacific also built its own sleeping cars. The company's first post-war model was "The Ashgrove."

• Renting an Ashgrove sleeper cost less than booking a full section of a regular car with an upper and lower berth. But they were harder to find: the initial plan called for just one of the new sleepers on each CPR line.
• In the 1950s CPR began using new stainless steel passenger cars, including the "Park" series scenic dome observation lounge cars at the back, and a new line of sleepers.


• Today, railways including VIA Rail offer luxury roomette cars similar to those offered in the 1940s. VIA's new models include the "Easterly," "Constellation," "Silver & Blue" and "Sleeper" class sleeping cars. The new sleepers, available on longer trips, offer modern shower facilities in each car.

CPR unveils its first 'roomette' sleeper cars

Medium: Radio

Program: CBC News Roundup

Broadcast Date: March 21, 1949

Guest(s):

Reporter: Edna May

Duration: 2:12

Last updated:
Aug. 27, 2008