Robert Fry speaks about Canadian Pacific
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00:00Thank You Rebecca and thank you for that warm welcome. The applause was much
00:07appreciated.
00:17Ladies and gentlemen, how exciting to be here today on this beautiful day. You've
00:21engineered the weather as well so I know you can't take sunny days for
00:26granted here in the UK. It's really an honour for me to be here today to
00:32celebrate the launch of the newly restored Canadian Pacific that we just
00:35unveiled. A locomotive that stands as a symbol of the deep shared history
00:41between Canada and the United Kingdom and one that holds a special place in
00:45the hearts of many Britons, Canadians and railway enthusiasts around the world. As
00:51I stand before you today beside this magnificent Canadian Pacific I can't
00:57help but feel, I can't help but feel that I'm standing a little bit in two worlds
01:07at once. One foot firmly placed in the present and the
01:11other swept away by the echo of steam whistles and the rhythmic pulse of
01:17pistons long past. There's something magical about a steam train and we're
01:23all gathered for that. It's more than just machinery, more than steel and
01:27rivets, more than the roar of the boiler and the hiss of the steam. It's a living
01:32breathing, breathing thing and this locomotive, this beautifully restored
01:36Canadian Pacific is not just a piece of history, it's a heartbeat that has been
01:42rekindled. Thanks to the tireless dedication of thousands of those who
01:47refuse to let her voice be silenced, she lives again. Every gleaming bolt in
01:53polished brass fixture tells a story of resilience and love, of countless hours
01:59spent breathing life back into a vessel that once connected towns, hearts and
02:04dreams. The hands that restored her didn't just rebuild a train, they
02:09resurrected a symbol of adventure, of romance, of the undying human spirit. The
02:17Canadian Pacific carried more than just passengers, she carried the weight of
02:22memory, the gentle whisper of lovers parting on the platform, the laughter
02:27children pressing their faces to the glass and the quiet reflection of those
02:31who found solace in the steady rhythm of the tracks. She reminds us that sometimes
02:37the past is not meant to be left behind, sometimes it's meant to be carried
02:41forward, rekindled and shared with new generations. So thank you so much. Canada
02:49and the UK have shared, has a deep shared history. It's rooted in our country's
02:54lengthy lived experience with one another, family bonds and the respect and
03:00trust we have built over so many years. The values we have promoted and defended
03:05together in the world for a very long time. Although our relationship extends
03:10much farther back than World War II, it was during those dark days that our bond
03:14was fostered together as we stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight
03:18against tyranny. So I'm heartened to see this locomotive, a brilliant symbol of
03:23that allied effort and the Canada-UK relationship restored to her full glory.
03:28During the Second World War, the Watercastle Line route and the Canadian
03:33Pacific locomotive were vital strategic assets that helped the UK, Canada and our
03:39allies through secure peace and secure freedom that we still enjoy today. Built
03:47at the height of World War II, the Canadian Pacific played a key role
03:50transporting troops and munitions to the British coast in preparation of D-Day
03:55where 14,000 Canadians landed on Juneau Beach on June 6th. The locomotive was
04:02named to recognize the Canadian Pacific Shipping Line and Merchant Navy which
04:06were crucial in keeping Britain supplied and honored the sacrifices made by the
04:11many brave crews lost to German U-Boats attacks. By end of the war, the Canadian
04:16Pacific Line had lost every one of the ships they had in 1939. These Canadian,
04:22British and other allied seamen made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our way of
04:27life and for that they have our undying gratitude. At a time when Canadian
04:33sovereignty is being tested, I was reflecting it's very relevant to talk
04:38about the railway but the Canadian Pacific because the building of the
04:42railway across Canada is what united Canada in the 19th century. It's what
04:47helped fend off the expansion from the south at the time and so that's
04:51something that resonates today more than ever. I'd like to extend my heart
05:04fire of gratitude to Rebecca Daly, the CEO of the Watercrest Line, Stephen Evans,
05:10Chair of the Watercrest Line Heritage Railway Trust, Eilish McGinnis, Chief
05:15Executive of the National Lottery and Heritage Fund, everyone and all those
05:19that were involved in this amazing project. Your dedication has brought the
05:23Canadian Pacific back to life. So as we watch her esteem pulse into the
05:28sky and hear the unmistakable echo of her whistle, let us not simply see a
05:33train restored, we see a promise fulfilled, a love story renewed and a
05:39journey that will never truly end. Thank you so much and thank you from Canada.