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Education Programs & Resources Support the WDM (PDF)
Updated May 26, 2010
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"The calliope was the hit of our parade. ...We had so many positive comments that it is impossible to include them here." - Town of Simpson
Hear the
Calliope The steam calliope is a musical instrument that resembles a piano or organ, but produces sound by sending steam through whistles. When each key is pressed, it opens a valve that allows pressurized steam from the boiler to escape through a corresponding whistle, producing a specific tone. The WDM calliope is one of only two operating examples in all of Canada. It has performed in many Saskatchewan locations over the years, and was a summer-long attraction in Vancouver during Expo ‘86.
Calliope Schedule for Summer 2012 June July August
The keyboard and whistle arrangement of the Western Development Museum calliope was constructed in 1955 by Mr. L. K. Wood of Utah and purchased by the WDM in 1959. The keyboard, the whistle arrangement, and a large boiler were then mounted on the chassis of an old Waterous fire engine. The exterior shell was constructed following traditional calliope design. 2002 - A New Boiler The calliope made news, but for a reason other than its ability to attract attention from near and far. The calliope’s keyboard-operated whistles draw their steam from a self-contained vertical boiler, operating at pressures approaching 100 pounds per square inch. The calliope's boiler, having served the calliope faithfully for many decades, was manufactured in the early 1900s. Although still safely operable, the boiler had approached an age when a major overhaul would be required if the calliope were to continue its public performances. Ever mindful of costs, a thorough assessment was conducted, comparing the expense of rebuilding the existing unit versus the expense of designing and constructing a completely new boiler. The cost difference, although not trivial, was also weighed against the technical advantages offered by a modern replica. Engineering regulations, construction techniques and materials have changed dramatically during the past 70 years. Taking this into account, it was decided that the best long-term investment, and the best insurance for safe operation, would be to acquire a new replacement. We were fortunate to have, located within the province, Saskatoon Boiler Manufacturing Company, which supplies locally manufactured boilers and related equipment to customers across Canada, and around the world. Providing a boiler of the size and type required by the calliope is a rather modest undertaking for this company, and Ray Graves and his team did not disappoint.
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Calliope
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For information regarding availability, rates and schedules
for booking the WDM calliope in your community, please call Ken Lorenz or Leslee Newman at the
Saskatchewan Western Development Museum Curatorial Centre, (306)
934-1400 or
Q. How do you pronounce calliope?
Q. How much does the calliope weigh?
Q.
What fuels the calliope?