This collection’s item is a Canadian National Railways Grand Trunk Railway Systems rail pass for Edmond Barker and Ethel Barker. Edmond, or Eddie Barker worked as an accountant for the company. On the front of the pass it does not have Ethel’s name, but merely records, “Wife”. It does identify what Eddie’s job with the railway (“Accountant”) but does not mention where the Barkers live. Both of their pictures are on the card for easy identification, just like many id cards today. Both Eddie and Ethel have signed the card on the back. Under the lines for their names is written, “Signature of Employee” and “Signature of Wife”.

On the back of the pass it reads, in part, “20 Years Service”, which may indicate Eddie Baker received such a benefit because of his longstanding service to the company.  A condition mentioned on the card is that the pass is not valid on certain lines, specifically between Montreal and Chicago, and Toronto and Montreal, presumably these were very popular routes. Additionally, like so many contracts today, other terms and conditions listed on the back include that the pass is not valid if “altered or presented by other than a person designated therein.” Today, different companies specializing in transportation such as Via Rail Canada and Transport for London in the UK offer travel passes to the employee and some family members, while airlines will typically offer discounts to employees and their family.

According to the local history book, Ethel was the daughter of John and Ethel Coan. Born in England, her family moved to Canada when she was ten. John Coan operated a gift shop and photography studio on Edwards Avenue. Ethel graduated from Sacred Heart School, and took a two-year commercial course, eventually working for Hudson Bay railway as a clerk-stenographer. Edmond was born in Ontario and was raised in Winnipeg. He worked for Canadian National Railway during the summers of 1922 – 1924 while he attended university, and then worked for them permanently beginning 1925 after graduating from university and the death of his father. Ethel and Edmond were married at Sacred Heart Cathedral, The Pas, in 1934. The couple raised four children and moved a few times because of Edmond’s railway job, eventually retiring in Winnipeg.

This item was donated to the Sam Waller Museum in 2011.