By Robie Liscomb
When Ian Baird is not managing the microforms collection in the McPherson basement, he's likely to be riding the rails or otherwise researching the romance of railroading. His third book, An Historical Guide to Canadian Pacific Railway Stations in British Columbia, has just been published by Heritage Architectural Guides (Victoria), with a preface by Martin Segger, Director and Curator of UVic's Maltwood Art Museum and Gallery.
This book greatly expands the scope of his former book, Canadian Pacific Railway Stations in British Columbia, with additional photographs and more current information. It is organized geographically, and presents 100 pages and an equal number of photos from a variety of sources, documenting the history and current status of the stations.
"Most of the stations on Vancouver Island still stand," says Baird. "But most on the mainland have been demolished." The book incorporates a decade of research gathered in archives and on trips criss-crossing the province, visiting local museums and even dropping in on seniors' groups to gather memories from those whose lives have been touched by the railroads.
The book is available in the UVic Bookstore.