Cross-Country Train Trip
Ride the cowcatcher of a steam locomotive? Almost! Lady Susan Agnes Macdonald rode "from summit to sea" in a special box so she could truly enjoy Canada’s beauty!
1. Building Canada’s Transcontinental Railway was a major feat! What a sight it must have been when it was finished to see Mrs. Susan A. Macdonald ride for miles on the cowcatcher of a steam locomotive as it traveled across Canada in 1886. (A cowcatcher was a V-shaped grill on the front of the train engine. It helped keep debris off of the tracks, including wandering wildlife.) Lady Macdonald was the wife of Canada’s first Prime Minister, John A. Macdonald. For part of every day of the trip she sat on a candlebox which was placed on the cowcatcher. From there, she could REALLY enjoy the scenery through the Rockies.
2. Try to imagine the scene! A huge Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) steam engine, the Rocky Mountains with splendid trees, sparkling water, and clear blue sky. And Lady Macdonald on the cowcatcher! Use Crayola® Erasable Colored Pencils to outline a steam locomotive on a piece of construction paper. Add a cowcatcher on the front. Sketch train tracks, mountains, whatever scenery you picture!
3. Color your drawing with Crayola Twistables. Highlight metallic areas such as wheels and rails with Crayola Metallic Colored Pencils. Air dry the glue.
4. Lay a coffee filter flat. Draw and color Mrs. Macdonald on it. Use Crayola Scissors to cut her out. Trace her outline on another coffee filter and cut it out. Crumple a coffee filter and place it between the front and back pieces.
5. Cover your art area with newspaper. Run a line of Crayola School Glue around the edge to seal your figure. Glue Mrs. Macdonald onto the cowcatcher of the train. All aboard!
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Glitter Glue—
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. Not for use on skin.
Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.
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