Railway Pie at McAdam Railway Station

Famous way back when and still famous today, Railway Pie is back by popular demand! Every Sunday from 1- 4 pm, starting in July and continuing through September, you can savour a generous slice of homemade pie at the McAdam Railway Station. This delightful treat offers not just a taste of delicious pie but a nostalgic step back in time. Originally served here in the early 1900s, Railway Pie was so renowned that the Boston News wrote about it. The Restoration Committee has revived this beloved tradition to help preserve their community's pride and joy—the McAdam Railway Station.

McAdam Railway Station

Worthy of being named a Provincial and National Historical Site, a Designated Heritage Railway Station, and honoured on a Canadian stamp, McAdam Railway Station stands as a jewel in the crown of Canadian Railway History. Its accolades include being the 2013 Winner of People's Choice for Greatest Public Place in Canada. However, despite the government's co-funding efforts for its restoration, the station's future relies heavily on public support. Without it, this national treasure won't stand a snowball’s chance in… well, a really hot place - of returning to its former glory. The Restoration Committee and countless McAdam volunteers have shown perseverance, hard work, and downright grit and determination in their efforts to preserve it. They hope you will visit McAdam Railway Station for a tour and buy a piece of Railway pie to support their cause.

Bakers Get Baking

Agnes Campbell (pictured above) was one of four dedicated women in the village who used to bake fifteen pies every Saturday to be ready for Sunday visitors at the McAdam Railway Station. That's right—four women made 15 pies each week, all summer long! Frank Campbell (Agnes's husband and a Restoration Committee member) did the math for me: these remarkable women, two of whom are now in their 90s, collectively produced 60 pies each week. Those pies were then cut into fifths, totalling 300 pieces of Railway Pie. WOW! And they managed to make over 24 different kinds of delicious pies. Talk about "Bakers Get Baking!" Hmmm... What do you do every Saturday in the summer to volunteer for your community?

Railway Pie and Happy Customers

Railway Pie was so popular it sold out every Sunday! Despite their best efforts, the bakers couldn't keep up with the demand. For 10 summers, they baked 60 pies a week, but it wasn't sustainable. An alternative Abigail and Tea project was next piloted, offering homemade treats and live theatre, but only lasted one summer before the pandemic shut down all food service. In 2023, due to popular demand, Railway Pie returned with a new business plan, featuring an online pre-order system and a partnership with a taste-tested St. Stephen bakery. It has thrived ever since. My friend Agnes and the other bakers are thrilled that this new model has reunited Railway Pie with happy customers once again.

Enjoy a Piece of Railway Pie to Help Preserve a Piece of History

Preorder a piece of Railway Pie and make your way to the historic McAdam Railway Station. Take a tour and enjoy a slice of Railway Pie to help preserve a piece of history. As you savour every bite, take a moment to look around and soak it all in. Drop another dime in the jukebox, linger, and let your imagination wander. Over a century ago, travellers sat at these very counters, enjoying the same delicious Railway Pie. The ambiance will transport you back in time, and the Railway Pie will keep you grounded in the present. Now, do me a favour... no, actually do McAdam, New Brunswick, and all of Canada a favour: tell two friends about this experience. Encourage them to visit and support this iconic railway station that a village is working hard to save.

People LOVE Railway Pie

Frank just shakes his head, "I don't know what it is, but people really love our Railway Pie, and they drive for hours to get it!" But I get it. It's the experience. It's the history. It's the heritage. It's the charm. Oh, and yes, it's the pie too! It is really good! However, it is so much more than that. It's definitely more than just the pie, I reassured Frank. I'm sure of it. Beginning in July, every summer, McAdam Railway Station opens its doors every Sunday for Railway Pie. Come get a big piece (1/5 of a pie) and a tea or coffee for a value price. Discover why people love Railway Pie for yourself. Piece by piece, you will be helping McAdam save the railway station that means the world to them. And, as Canadians, it should mean the world to us too.

Station Scoops Served Daily All Summer Long

Station Scoops is another delightful addition to McAdam Railway Station's offerings this summer. Ice cream is served daily from 1-8 pm. So, come for a tour any day of the week and indulge in a single or double scoop in a cone or cup. With a variety of flavours, you'll be sure to find one you love. There are also lactose-free, sugar-free, and sorbet options available. Drop in to escape the heat and enjoy a treat in the same diner that has been welcoming visitors since the early 1900s.

McAdam Railway Station Tours

McAdam Railway Station is a Canadian icon and a national treasure. If you haven't visited yet, you really must! Have I mentioned they serve Railway Pie on Sundays and Station Scoops of Ice Cream every day, all summer long? In all seriousness, McAdam Railway Station is an architectural gem and a fascinating place to explore. Modeled after a Scottish castle, it features Gothic, Baroque, and Victorian styles. Sir William Van Horne, who built the Canadian Pacific Railway, commissioned the station, with architect Edward Maxwell and W.H. Joseph McVay & Sons responsible for its construction. The best way to experience this historic site is with a knowledgeable guide. Tours are offered daily from June to September, 10 am - 5 pm.

Babe Ruth, Sir Winston Churchill, and Barbara Ann Scott were here

Babe Ruth, Sir Winston Churchill, and figure skater Barbara Ann Scott are just a few of the famous figures who passed through McAdam Railway Station. You'll be in good company here. The station's 5-star hotel once catered to elite travellers, offering luxurious stays for those journeying from Boston to the seaside resort town of St. Andrews. The stories of this era's grandeur are mesmerizing. The Restoration Committee is determined to revive the splendour of McAdam Railway Station's 1930s heyday. Frank Campbell recalls, as a young boy, pressing his face against a window to glimpse the opulence inside the dining room, only to be chased away by Miss Quinn, the Hotel Manager, who called him “a little scallywag.” Now, he works tirelessly to bring back that same grandeur. Surely, Miss Quinn is smiling down on all of this now.

Is McAdam Railway Station Haunted? 

Is McAdam Railway Station haunted? You decide. Hear ghost stories and paranormal accounts firsthand. Discover tales of unwed mothers, torrid affairs, and runaway housewives. Learn about a shotgun-wielding husband, a murder, and a forlorn lover's suicide. Uncover the antics of kitchen staff who threw dishes into the pond to sneak out for dances, and see the secret passages they used to trick Miss Quinn and escape their dormitories. Explore the log of criminal activity that led to rail-riding criminals being locked up in the station's jail. Hear the heartbreaking story of a newborn thrown from a train, whose grave the village of McAdam lovingly maintains. To this day, train engineers blow their horn in honor as they pass by. These stories are as gripping as any Hollywood thriller. Come take a tour and experience them all. 

McAdam Nature Trail

After touring the McAdam Railway Station, be sure to explore the McAdam Nature Trail just behind the station. This scenic trail circles McAdam Pond and offers picturesque views of the station. Along the way, you'll find a charming covered bridge, a picnic area, and several benches where you can pause to take in the serene surroundings. Keep an eye out for local wildlife such as frogs, turtles, ducks, and foxes. As I captured these photographs, I even heard the haunting call of a loon. Enjoy a leisurely walk and remember to leave only your footprints behind.

McAdam Railway Station Restoration Committee

Former McAdam Mayor Frank Carroll, along with the Restoration Committee, are dedicated to reviving the McAdam Railway Station. Their vision includes opening a 20-room hotel, reminiscent of its 5-star glory days, and hosting events like murder mystery weekends, creative workshops, fine dining experiences, and outdoor adventures. While they dream big, they currently serve pies and ice cream, and host many fundraising events, weddings, family reunions, and special dinners. They write proposals for government funding and reach out to whomever might listen and assist. Despite limited resources, they tirelessly do what they can - when they can - with what they have to restore this grand station, bringing it a little bit closer to its former grandeur. 

Fall in Love with McAdam Railway Station

I have been deeply moved by the personal stories and unwavering dedication of the McAdam Railway Station Restoration Committee. It was through Agnes Campbell that I first learned about this incredible project, and like her, I have fallen in love with McAdam Railway Station. I hope this article inspires you to visit and support this historic site. Former Mayor Frank Carroll, the driving force behind this endeavour, needs our collective help to preserve this New Brunswick and Canadian treasure. McAdam Railway Station is a provincial and national gem, deserving of our admiration and support. Take a drive to see this majestic beauty for yourself. Enjoy a tour, savour some Railway Pie, and listen to the captivating stories. Consider making a donation, booking a function, and spreading the word. Every piece of Railway Pie you enjoy, and every bit of support you offer, brings the Restoration Committee and the Village of McAdam closer to raising the necessary funds to save this iconic Canadian Railway Station - before it's too late. Enjoy a piece of pie and be a part of the success story that sees this grand lady rise again.

Christmas at the Staion

Take McAdam Railway Station - a provincial and national treasure, gather a village of volunteers, and decorate every nook and cranny to create a holiday wonderland. Next, add lights, glitter and sparkle, and a well-timed snowstorm. Bake cookies for the children, and make an abundance of hot apple cider. Add festive music - a carol… “It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas,” then have the stationmaster open the doors and welcome visitors to Christmas at the Station.

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