Saturday ~ 27 October, 1979 ~ Last Train #19

For a change I thought I'd share some more pictures, but not snaps that Dad took, but snaps that I took. It was the last day that a "Regular" Passenger Train would be leaving Antigonish. Train #19 was replaced by a "Rail~liner" the following day. When I asked if Train #18 to Sydney would be a regular passenger train I was told by the gentleman tending to the Baggage Car it was going to be a "Rail~liner".

Who would have thought that in 1967 when I first remember Dad and I watching a train together, 12 years later I'd be taking pictures of the last Train #19. In the beginning Train #19 was known as "The Cabot", a full Compliment Train between Sydney, Nova Scotia and Montreal, Quebec.

I can remember the day oh so many years ago like it was just recently. The Autumn Leaves were off the trees but it was still nice. You needed a light jacket in the day, but some heat on at night. I think the train was on time. The following pictures will be in order as how I took them.

Train #19 ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ Saturday 27 October, 1979

Train #19 rolled in on time as it almost always did on it's run from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Truro, Nova Scotia to connect with "The Scotian ~ Train #11" from Halifax on it's way to Montreal, Quebec. The Train has just crossed the Trestle over the "West River" and is preparing to make it's "Final Stop".

Train #19 ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ Saturday 27 October, 1979

When I came to the station on my Saturday Afternoons to watch Trains #18 and #19, and was taking pictures I always got one of the Locomotive. When I decided to make my last visit with my Old Friend, I was going to take as many pictures as I could. Unfortuntely there were only 8 pictures left on the roll. So I had to decide quick what pictures I wanted to take.

This picture shows in detail the Locomotive (Montreal Locomotive Works) #3695 and Steam Generator Car in the 15000 series. Following was the Baggage/Express Car, Heavy Weight Coach, Snack/Lounge Car and two more Heavy Weight Coaches. In the distance you can see the "Trainman" has just gotten off the train to help the passengers.

Train #19 ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ Saturday 27 October, 1979

I remember asking this gentleman if he wanted to be recorded for history with a picture as being the last "Brakeman" to ride Train #19 for the final run. I said maybe his picture would be put in print if I got famous or something like this someday . I think he chuckled and said go ahead. So 28 years later we are publishing his picture. I never got the gentleman's name but hopefully someone will see it and let him know.

Train #19 ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ Saturday 27 October, 1979

The gentleman tending to the Baggage Car was very friendly and I told him that someday maybe his picture would be in print. He also was glad to have his picture taken. He wanted to be taken looking like this standing guard at his Post. I remember he wanted to keep talking but I had to cut my visit short as I had more pictures to take and Train #19 had it's schedule to keep.

Train #19 ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ Saturday 27 October, 1979

Of all the pictures I took that day, this is the most poignant one. The Conductor and Trainman are on the platform making sure there passenger got off safe. The Trainman (Older Gentleman - Conductors had the Gold Braid on their cap) in the picture was the same Trainman who was on Train #19 the time Dad and I made our Sydney Trip in 1977.

The lady borded Train #19 in Sydney and rode it home to Antigonish. Also in the photo is Archie MacLellan the local reporter/photographer for Antigonish's Local Paper ~ "The Casket".

The Casket name came from the "Casket of Jewels" it contained. Dad always used to say "For all the Casket had it in ~ it should be buried Six Feet Under".

Train #19 ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ Saturday 27 October, 1979

Leaving Antigonish never to return. If you look close you can see the gentleman in the "Baggage Car" looking back as if saying Goodbye as well. The Locomotive Engineer would be blowing the "14-L" Grade Crossing Whistle. The Conductor and Trainman would be in their coach thinking about their future and the Rail~liners, and how things would not be the same.

Train #19 ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ Saturday 27 October, 1979

Not too many people were riding this last train. No one got on and only one lady got off. Only Archie MacLellan and I came to see Train #19. Archie as it was a bit of news to put in "The Casket" and myself as I came to really say goodbye to an "Old Friend".

It was the perfect day to say goodbye. It was in the Fall a time for death if you want to call it that. The day was overcast and like a forgotten soul that Train #19 became, no one came to say goodbye except one.

Train #19 ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ May 1973

Train #19 in Happier Times, After the CNR canceled The Cabot they kept the Sydney to Truro part of Train #18 and #19. Through the earlier part of These Trains history Sleeping Cars still traveled between Sydney and Montreal. In later years the only time Sleeping Cars would be on these trains on the Sydney Line was when a special charter was booked.

I remember seeing 3 Sleeping Cars on Train #19 passing through Antigonish one time. The Engine Crew told me the Catholic Church had a Pilgrimage to St. Anne de Beaupré in Quebec. The train was picking up folks between Sydney and Truro on their way to Quebec. The Engine Crew told me the 3 Sleeping Cars deadheaded to Sydney from Halifax via Train #18 the evening before.

Picture courtesy Pat and David Othen. Email
website "Canadian Train Photographs"

Rail~liner ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ Winter of 1982

This picture was taken about a year and a half later which shows Rail~liner service in place of Train #19. Yes, this is "The Old Fart" when he was "The Young Fart". Dad took this picutre of me boarding the train for Halifax. I lived in Halifax at the time and came home every weekend.

At the time VIA Rail Canada had it where if you made a return journey from you point of original departure you returned for half~fare. Which I think at the time was only $9.00 return fare.

I learned to like the Rail~liners as on my weekends home once we got on the Truro to Sydney portion of the run, I knew most of the Train Crews. I got to ride up with the Engineer for part of the run if not all the way to Antigonish. It made for some good memories and I got to know every mile of the route as did the Train Crews.

Must close as I got to get ready for the day.

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"