OTTAWA, July 21, 2011 - The Canadian Railway Hall of Fame (CRHF), a virtual exhibit that honours the heroes, technologies, leaders and communities of the Canadian railway industry, today announced inductees for 2010. The awards were announced at celebrations to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the first public railway in the country and the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Railway Museum Exporail, the biggest railway museum in Canada.

Leaders
The leaders category recognizes those individuals deemed to have a significant influence in the construction of, development of, or promotion of the Canadian railway industry.

This year the CRHF recognizes the dedication of Louis-François Garceau, conservator of the Charny Rail Museum and founder of Le Groupe TRAQ (Transport sur rail au Québec), a not-for-profit, French language organization that supports rail history and promotes rail knowledge through a variety of initiatives.

"Louis-François is being honoured for his passionate commitment to promoting rail and for his contributions to the Canadian rail industry in Québec," said Gérald Gauthier, Chairman and President of CRHOF. "He continues to give generously of his time to promote rail as an important backbone of economic activity and his unwavering support has had a tremendous impact on the rail industry in Québec."

Le Groupe TRAQ publishes the only French-language bi-monthly magazine dedicated to all things rail, and organizes an annual rail symposium in Québec. It held its fifteenth edition earlier this year. Exhibitors use this annual event to display their rail hardware, equipment and other products or services. This event, is a must, and unites different levels of government, many short lines (local or regional Railways, and Class 1 (CN, CP, VIA Rail). Many industrial railways also participate in these annual events.

Heroes and Technology
The Heroes category celebrates explorers, pathfinders, and individuals involved in the day-to-day delivery of service, operations, and maintenance of Canadian railways. The Technology category recognizes significant equipment, structures, and innovation that has played a role in the positive development of Canadian Rail - and associated individuals instrumental in this development or preservation.

Susan Anholt, a community leader and volunteer in Kanaston, Saskatchewan, is being celebrated for her unwavering commitment to the restoration of Kenaston's unique water tower. Anholt researched, applied for and obtained funding, sourced all building materials and arranged for their transport to the site, found and hired work crews, oversaw work and mounted the scaffolding personally to be involved in the restoration work which was completed in 2009.

"Susan's single-handed achievement speaks loudly of her dedication to preserving Canada's rail history and her dedication to her community - located on an important CN feeder line in central Saskatchewan. We are pleased honour her effort," Gauthier said.

The 40,000 gallon capacity Kenaston water tower was built in 1910 in the spring area just south of what was one-time Bonnington, Assiniboia, NWT. Built to replace the original 1889 tank, it is the oldest and the only remaining "tapered" tower, and is one of five remaining in Saskatchewan which at one time had some 400 water tanks dotting the province.

Communities
This category honours communities across Canada that have current or historical significance to the railway system, or the related individuals associated with the railway industry who have been instrumental in building communities.

La Prairie, on the banks of the Saint Lawrence, and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu on Montreal's South Shore, are home to the CHAMPLAIN AND SAINT LAWRENCE RAILROAD, the first real railway built in Canada, some 175 years ago. Funded by John Molson, Montreal merchants and others, the line was officially inaugurated on 21 July 1836.

Special Achievement
This category of inductees provides special recognition to individuals or groups who demonstrated notable singular or multiple achievements in railway safety, awareness, preservation and/or promotion.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding and the 175th anniversary of the first public railway in Canada, Exporail - the Canadian Railway Museum, ranks as one of the most important railway museums in the world. The collection features collection includes more than 160 railway vehicles and many unique artefacts representing a key period, event, organization or person in the history of Canadian railway technology since 1836.

"Every year more than 60,000 visitors appreciate the breadth and richness of its collection and archives of over 400,000 documents that details significant events in Canadian history from the founding of the first railways, the technological innovations and its economic contributions to the building of modern-day Canada," Gauthier stated. "Recognized by Canada's House of Commons as ‘Canada's National Railway Museum' in 2007, the Museum's specialized collection includes over 450,000 objects and documents and is recognized by governments as being of national interest."

Supported by The Railway Association of Canada (RAC), representing some 50 member freight, tourist, commuter, and intercity Canadian railways, the Canadian Railway Hall of Fame plays a major role in promoting the safety, viability, and growth of the railway industry within Canada.