My Dad's Trains

My Dad ~ Thanks For The Memories

2009-07-30T00:12:00.001-04:00

Here is a Post I made today on my Main Blog. I thought I'd share it here.

Today I am thinking of my Dad, it is 26 years ago that he passed away on this date and I am being swept away in a Euphoria of Memories of him. I am not mourning him, missing him or wishing he was still here, but rejoicing in what a wonderful Dad and Human Being he was.

I am remembering going fishing with him and he letting me reel in his trout he caught. I am remembering Dad stopping the car at a Railway Crossing somehow knowing that a train was soon to come by. Going to Town on Saturday Morning with allowance in hand to do the shopping with him. Mum would have the Grocery List made up the Night Before. But somehow Dad would find time to stop so as we could get a Bottle of Pop for the trip home, which he'd pay for so as we could keep our allowance for the Matinee later on at the Capitol.

The little errands I'd do with him, like helping to change the Licence Plates on the Car when the new ones came in the mail. Putting the banking up around the house to keep it warm in Winter. Sitting on his lap watching Petticoat Junction when it came on TV on Monday Nights.

Years later I came to appreciate Dad for the Kind Soul he was and how he'd help someone in need. How he visit the neighbours and tend to there flowers and plants to keep the nasty wee critter away. The wry joke he'd tell from life experiences (which I think I got a part of), the way he could look you in the eye and say something that if you knew him you'd smile as he was having a bit of fun with you. My Dad if he liked you would tease you. Once you had Dad as a friend, it was a friendship for life.

Dad had a wonderful Sense of Humour, I remember Dad telling me about the time when he met the Local Undertaker Downtown. Vince looked as Dad and asked "Jimmy how are you feeling"? to which my Dad replied, "Don't get too excited, I never felt better".

Dad taught me how to drive, to this day I feel as if he is still sitting in the Passenger Seat telling me when to put my blinker on, or to watch the car in front as I may be getting too close for his liking. Even when I am Driving my Bus in my days work, I know he is there. He always wanted to move back to the West. I sometimes wonder if I was meant to live his dream by moving to Alberta. Who knows, he may be my Bus Companion keeping watch over me.

I remember after Dad was gone, as well as Mum, and friends coming up to me and saying how they wished that their folks were more like our Mum and Dad. I just thought Mum and Dad were just any ordinary Mum and Dad. Now as the years go by I can see they were more.

Thanks Dad for letting me have a peaceful day with you. No I am not missing you and feeling loss, I did that when the Lord called you home in 1983. I just taking a day to remember you. Tell Mum I said Hi and give her a Hug for me.

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

Timetables From The Past ~ When Travelling By Train Was The Way

2009-01-21T00:47:00.002-05:00

Robert from Oil Electric every once in awhile asks when I will be posting next to this blog. I have more pictures already scanned ready to share but I need to do a bit of research on them first before sharing.

Recently the Author of Oil Electric posted some old excerpts from some Time Tables from years ago. I decided that where Dad did save some of the Time Tables from the past, never to be duplicated again, I share the Maritime Portions here.

Looking at the schedules here one can see that the Ocean Limited and the Scotian left Halifax about 20 minutes apart but where the Scotian stopped at more stations by the time they both arrived in Montreal there was a time span of over 90 minutes. The Ocean Limited at this time was a true Limited Train with Sleeping Cars only.

Further Perusal of the time tables one found that the Ocean Limited also had Sleeping Cars from the Sydneys added at Truro, Nova Scotia and from Charlottetown added at Moncton, New Brunswick. There is a wealth of information here and this isn't even including the Trans Continental Trains and the Trains in the Montreal ~ Toronto Corridor.

The Time Tables and Equipment Lists is from 1952, the Coach, Sleeping Car and Parlor Car fares are from 1954.

Halifax to Mont Joli - 1952

Mont Joli to Montreal - 1952

Halifax - Sydney Trains - 1952

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia

New Brunswick

New Brunswick

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island

Equipment Maritimes and Montreal Trains - 1952

Fares - Coach, Sleeping Car and Parlor Car - 1954

Fares - Coach, Sleeping Car and Parlor Car - 1954

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

Various Photos Of Trains #18 and #19

2008-03-20T23:58:00.003-04:00

Recently I made a new friend on the Internet who has graciously emailed me more pictures of Trains #18 and #19 to share here. These pictures are fantastic and you are about to see them here. With Thanks to David and Pat Othen from "Canadian Train Photographs". I have just started to surf this website and it is worth the visit and there is now a link on this blog for it. "Dr John" this site is for you, can I suggest you make it your link of the day?

Enjoy the pictures ~ Thank you Pat and David for allowing me to share them.

Train #18 ~ Truro Yard ~ August 1975

Train #18 is skirting Truro yard just after leaving Truro, Nova Scotia. Stops at Stellarton, New Glasgow, Antigonish, Harve Boucher, Port Hawkesbury, Orangedale (flag stop), Sydney Mines (flag stop), North Sydney and Sydney.

Train #18 ~ Truro, Nova Scotia ~ May 1978

Train #18 ready to leave Truro for Sydney, Train #14 The Ocean has already left for the last 60 miles to Halifax leaving Montreal the Evening before.

Train #19 ~ Truro Yard ~ July 1979

Train #19 is threading it's way through the Truro yard on it's way to Bible Hill to back down into the Truro Station to wait for Train #11 The Scotian from Halifax. The last three cars in Train #19 will be switched out and be marshaled into Train #11 to continue onto Montreal.

Train #11 - Train #19 ~ Truro Station ~ July 1979

Train #19 has already backed down from Bible Hill into Truro Station and three cars on right are about to be placed in the consist of Train #11 The Scotian from Halifax to continue onto Montreal.

Train #18 ~ New Glasgow, Nova Scotia ~ July 1973

Train #18 is arriving at the New Glasgow station. 10 minutes after it left Stellarton station. When Train #18 leaves New Glasgow for Antigonish and beyond to Sydney, the Conductor will lift the tickets from Passengers who boarded at both Stellarton and New Glasgow.

Train #18 ~ New Glasgow, Nova Scotia ~ July 1973

Train #18 is just leaving New Glasgow and in about 20 minutes will meet Train #19 at Edgerton or Piedmont. Visit "Cab Ride" to see Train #18 meeting Train #19.

Train #19 ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ May 1973

Train #19 ready to leave Antigonish with stops in New Glasgow, Stellarton and Truro. Train #19 met Train #18 at either Edgerton or Piedmont.

Train #18 ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ October 1975

This picture is just east of the station, Train #18 would have just left Antigonish bound for Sydney. Next stop for Train #18 would be Havre Boucher, last stop before crossing the Canso Strait and into Cape Breton.

Harve Boucher was a Divisional Point and the engine crew would change here with a new crew taking Train #18 onto Sydney. This locomotive crew would have taken Train #19 from Sydney earlier in the day. The Conductor and Trainman would travel the entire distance between Truro, Nova Scotia and Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Train #19 ~ Sydney, Nova Scotia ~ October 1975

Train #19 is ready to leave Sydney for Truro with connections with Train #11 The Scotian for Montreal and Train #12 The Scotian for Halifax. The folks in the last three cars of Train #19 were marshaled into the Consist of Train #11 and only had a 35 minute stay in Truro. Folks traveling onto Halifax had a 2 hour 40 minute stay in truro.

Train #19 ~ Grand Narrows Bridge ~ Iona Side of Barra Strait - October 1975

Train #19 has just crossed the Barra Strait on the Grand Narrows Bridge. This side of the bridge is Victoria County, across the strait is Cape Breton County at Grand Narrows. The Train is about to pass through the village of Iona. I can only imagine how cool it was this day the picture was taken standing next to the Bras d'or Lake with the fog rolling off the lake. To see a clearer picture of the area visit "Sydney Trip" ~ a trip Dad and I made in 1977.

Train #19 ~ Iona, Nova Scotia ~ October 1975

Train #19 has just crossed the Barra Strait of the Bras d'or Lake over the Grand Narrows Bridge and is continuing it's journey with possible flag stop at Orangedale. The car on the end appears to be a CNR Officials Business Car. No doubt someone from the Regional Head Quarters in Moncton, New Brunswick made a trip to Sydney and is heading back to Moncton. The official may have actually came out of Montreal.

Another theory it may have been a special charter and someone rented a business car from the CNR for this purpose. It they came for the Fall colors they won't see much with the fog. If anyone reading this post ever rode Train #18 or Train #19 will know that the most beautiful part of the trip was along the Bras d'or Lake, either on the Victoria County or the Cape Breton County side of the lake.

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

Cape Breton Steam Railway

2008-01-13T02:29:00.000-05:00

The following pictures are of the Cape Breton Steam Railway tourist train that was launched 1 July 1973. The family in 1975 made a trip to "Sydney, Nova Scotia" to visit friends and one of the adventures was a trip to "Glace Bay" to ride this train.

The Cape Breton Steam Railway ran from Glace Bay (Victoria Jct.) to Port Morien on the old "Sydney & Louisburg" line. By the time of the creation of the Cape Breton Steam Railway, the "Devco Railway" was the operator of the old Sydney & Lousiburg line.

I enjoyed my trip on the steam train and this was the first time I rode on a train. I can still remember the smells of the Steam Locomotive, the creaking of the old CNR coach I was riding in. The windows were open on the coaches and the soot from the locomotive got in my hair.

The pictures were scanned from the original negatives and the quality of the pictures are not great. The negatives are 33 years old and pretty faded.

Locomotive #42 ~ Victoria Jct, Nova Scotia ~ Summer 1975

Following text courtesy "The Canadian Railroad Historical Association".

Number 42 was built at Schnectady Locomotive in New York state in 1899 as Sydney & Louisburg #16. It was built as a 2-6-4T tank engine, serial number 5103, and was rebuilt around 1947 as a 2-6-0 tender engine and renumbered 42. In 1955 it was transferred to Acadia Coal Company as number 42. Following the dieselization of Acadia Coal, Mr. Robert Tibbett of Tibbett's Paint purchased the locomotive. From 1973 to 1979 it was leased to the Cape Breton Steam Railway, which operated over part of the old Sydney & Louisburg line. It was on loan to the Salem & Hillsborough Railroad for 5 years, and left the S&H on November 19, 1991.

Behind #42 are are two of the three former Canadian National Railways coaches the Cape Breton Steam Railway acquired for the tourist railway. The third carriage is a British Railways carriage. The Cape Breton Steam Railway named the former CNR coaches "Miners' Museum", "Ocean Deeps Colliery", & "Fortress of Louisbourg".

Locomotive #42 ~ Port Morien, Nova Scotia ~ Summer 1975

We have arrived at the end of the line at Port Morien, Nova Scotia. #42 has been uncoupled from the train is now backing around the "Wye" to be turned so it can lead the train back to Victoria Jct.

Locomotive #42 ~ Port Morien, Nova Scotia ~ Summer 1975

Another picture of #42 backing around the wye to be positioned in the lead to head back to Victoria Jct. This wye was especially built when the Cape Breton Steam Railway tourist operation was created.

Locomotive #42 ~ Port Morien, Nova Scotia ~ Summer 1975

#42 has completed it turning on the wye and is now backing down to the carriages. The creme colored carriage is a British Railways carriage the Cape Breton Steam Railway loaned for a time being. I believe it arrived on the property about the same time "The Repton ~ Engine 962" a "SR Class V" was loaned from "Steamtown" in the USA.

Locomotive #42 ~ Port Morien, Nova Scotia ~ Summer 1975

#42 is now coupled back up to the train and we are just waiting to return to Victoria Jct. The Pretty wee Lass is having a quick chat with the Engineer and Fireman. Soon we will be leaving.

It was the ride of a lifetime and I am grateful that my Dad gave me something that will live on forever. He gave me many things and the love of trains is one of them. I am glad he liked to take pictures as much as he liked trains. This is another thing he gave me was how to take pictures and to make a recording of places I have been.

Thank you Dad.

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

The First Visit

2008-01-10T17:58:00.000-05:00

Awhile ago I got out all the old negatives to sort and look through. What I came upon was some of Dad's old train negatives which the pictures were long missing or given away. Dad liked to give his pictures away as he said he always had the negatives. Usually he'd be mailing them to his brother, my Uncle Bill in England.

I am going to share some of the pictures I've scanned from the original negatives of the very first visit Dad and I made to the station to watch Train #19. I can remember the day as if it was yesterday and it was over 30 years ago. It was only a Summer before that Mum, Dad and I rode behind a live Steam Locomotive.

We were visiting friends in Sydney, Nova Scotia and made a trip to Glace Bay to ride the Cape Breton Steam Railway. I have these pictures scanned as well but will share at a future date.

The pictures were scanned from negatives that are a bit faded and the camera Dad used wasn't one of the newer cameras that had a lot of different features to tweak the pictures before being taken.

I remember suggesting that we should sometime make a trip to the station to watch a train some Saturday Afternoon. Dad kept telling me we would someday, but everytime I suggested it, Dad would always say he was busy. I kind of gave up asking but then one Saturday afternoon I made the suggestion and Dad said we could go.

I literally ran to the car but had to wait for Dad as he had the key to unlock the doors. Dad had to grab the camera, let Mum know where we were off to and see if she needed anything from town while we were off. We got to the station early so had time to look around. I believe we got to the station about 1500 hrs, train #19 wouldn't be arriving until 1535 hrs.

The Young Fart ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ Spring 1976

It took Dad a lot of convincing to get me to climb up upon this Flat Car. I was sure the Station Agent would have the "Long Arm of the Law" at the station to take me away. He eventually succeeded in getting me to abide and the above picture was taken. The huge brick building behind me on the hill welcomed me to this world on 26 April ~ 17 years before. This is the old Saint Martha's Hospital that was replaced by the new Saint Martha's in 1989.

Section Gang Bunk Houses ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ Spring 1976

This picture Dad took as we wondered around waiting for Train #19. Antigonish at the time of this picture had their own Section Gang who would make repairs to the track. These cars were the Bunk Houses they stayed in when they were out on the road. This storage track is just East of the Station.

"Train #19" ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ Spring 1976

Train #19 is arriving from Sydney, Nova Scotia. It left Sydney at 1115 hrs and will be into Truro, Nova Scotia at 1830 hrs. That is Dad's 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle. It wasn't too long after this Dad traded the car in.

"Train #19" ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ Spring 1976

Train #19 was just coming to a stop, I was standing next to Dad when he took these pictures. The pictures don't capture the essence and atmosphere with a train arriving and coming to a stop. There cannot be that many traveling as the Station Agent only seems to have a couple of suitcases with him.

"Train #19" ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ Spring 1976

If you have ever been to a train station at train time, you will be able to feel the atmosphere this picture is giving off. When I shut my eyes I can hear the two diesel locomotives sitting there with their engines at idle. The car immediately behind the locomotives is the Steam Generating Car that provided heat to the coaches behind.

"Train #19" ~ Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~ Spring 1976

The consist to "Train #19" this day behind the Steam Generating Car were two Baggage Cars (one as an express car), 2 Coaches, Cafe/Lounge Car, and a Dayniter bringing up the tail. When "Train #19" arrived at Truro the Diesel Locomotives, Steam Generating Car, one of the baggage cars and the first coach remained. The following coach, cafe/lounge car and dayniter continued unto Montreal on "Train #11 "The Scotian". At one time "Train #18 & #19" would also have a Sleeping Car in the consist between Sydney and Montreal, but by the time of these photos, one had to travel to Truro to board a Sleeping Car.

"Train #19" would have two more stops, one at New Glasgow and the second at Stellarton then continued onto Truro. "Train #19" would meet "Train #18" usually around Egerton, but if "Train #18" was running late they would sometimes meet around Piedmont.

In future posts will include more negatives I've scanned. I found some more negatives from pictures of Dad and my trip to "Sydney" which I will later share.

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

Cab Ride

2007-04-08T22:02:00.000-04:00

I can still remember the day like it was yesterday and the day was 30 years ago. I was in Grade 12 and it was a Friday. This trip was arranged the Saturday before. The Engineer I knew well was driving "Train #19" that Saturday afternoon and he said if I was available next Friday Afternoon I could ride all the way to Truro and then come home on "Train #604" with him.

To say the week that followed took what seemed to be an lifetime but then Friday Afternoon came and I was off to the station to wait for "Train #19" with a stop at the bank to get out the last little bit of money I was saving.

Before I knew it "Train #19" arrived and My friend was inviting me aboard. There was a delay in leaving as the Snack/Lounge car ran out of propane to cook with and the local store that sold propane tried for 15 minutes to fix a propane tank that wasn't built for the railway car.

Finally the Conductor pushed the communication button in one of the coaches and a wee whistle blew twice and the engineer released the breaks and opened the throttle and I was off on the trip of a lifetime, or at this point in my life what seemed to be a trip of a lifetime.

The following pictures at you are about to see were taken 30 years ago. They have faded but they still convey what I am going to explain.

We are about 25 minutes into the journey, I was so busy talking to John Alex and the Fireman (the memory banks have long forgot the name) I didn't think to take pictures before this. I was just too excited to remember to take any.

We just crossed the county line with Pictou and Antigonish and are about to come to the point that the railway, old highway #4 and Trans Canada Highway # 104 all come together. We are about to travel through Marshy Hope and then we will lose all sight of the the highways.

The fireman is opening the switch so "Train #19" can pull into the siding to let "Train #18" pass. You can tell the switch is aligned for the siding as the red is showing on the switch post. If the green was showing the switch would be aligned for the Mainline.

We are in the clear and "Train #18" is coming down the Mainline. It only took a couple of minutes for "Train #18" to come along. It was running a bit late and between Antigonish and here John Alex made up some of the time lost in Antigonish with trying to get the propane tank to fit.

Normally when trains meet each other the engineers usually turn off the headlight but this day the headlight on "Train #18" remained on. Even in the picture you can see how bright these headlights are. Both trains if on time met at Avondale, about halfway between Antigonish and New Glasgow.

We are now at Sutherlands River and about to cross the trestle over Merigomish Harbour into Sutherlands River. We have only a few more minutes and we will be at New Glasgow.

We are coming into New Glasgow for our scheduled 1650 hrs arrival. We will only stay a couple of minutes and then continue onto Stellarton which is only 2 miles or 4 Kilometers away. Once away from Stellarton we have no more stops until Truro.

We are halfway between New Glasgow and Stellarton and are crossing the East River. Stellarton is just a stones throw from New Glasgow.

This picture was taken from the Fireman's side of the train. Immediately behind the locomotive is the Steam Generating Car used for heating and (yes cooling) of the coaches to follow. Behind the Steam Generating Car was the Express/Baggage Car, 2 Coaches that traveled between Sydney and Truro. After this was the Coach, Snack/Lounge Car and Dayniter bringing up the end. These last three cars would be added to "Train #11 The Scotian" for Montreal which left Halifax at 1715 Hrs and would arrive in Truro at 1835 hrs, just 5 minutes after the 1830 hrs arrival of "Train #19".

Here is another view of the train looking from the Engineer's side of the train. We are now passing through the rock cuts and are getting closer to Truro. My journey is about to end in about 15-20 minutes. We are passing through the Union/Valley area and will soon be to Bible Hill. Once in Bible Hill we are pretty much part of Truro.

This is the Engineer's view of the cuts that were blasted out of the rock so the railway could be put down. There isn't much room between the rock and the Train.

One last view of the Rock Cuts that was blasted for the Right-Of-Way for the railway. The picture is old and faded but the earth is red here and quite pretty. In 10 minutes we should be backing down into Truro to end our journey.

Once I got to Truro I said goodbye to my friends John Alex the Engineer and Bucky the Fireman (I remembered his name as I got composing this) and went and bought my ticket for "Train #604" which left for home at 2110 hrs. Then it was back outside to wait for "Train #11 The Scotian" to arrive from Halifax.

About 5 minutes after "Train #11 The Scotian" arrived the train would be separated between the Day Coach and Dayniter that came out of Halifax and the forward portion of it would move ahead, back down unto the Coach Snack/Lounge Car and Dayniter from "Train #19" that I rode on. Once coupled to these cars the forward part of "Train #11 The Scotian" would pull ahead and then back down unto the rest of it's carriages it brought from Halifax.

The whole operation only took about 10 minutes to complete and at 1905 hrs "Train #11 The Scotian" was continuing on to Montreal. Now it was time to go get some Supper and then visit the Hobby Shop on Ingles Street to talk to look and dream.

Before I knew it the time came to get back to the station and wait for the Rail~liner from Halifax for Sydney. At 2045 hrs "Train #601" arrived to await the arrival of "Train #12~ The Scotian" from Montreal for Halifax which was scheduled to arrive at 2100 hrs. At 2110 hrs "Train #604" left Truro for home. "Train #601" became "Train #604" once it left Truro for Sydney.

I arrived back in Antigonish at 2317 hrs to be met by my dad. I didn't know what to expect but was relieved to see he was glad to see me get home. I expected to get a lecture but was only told that the next time I do something like this to let him know ahead of time. All he knew was I was going to the station. It was when he called the station when I didn't get home for supper he found out from the Station Agent I actually went for a ride to Truro.

This first ride would turn into a few more rides to Truro. I remember one time one of the Engineers fed me supper and let me ride home free on "Train #604".

As the years went past and I was no longer able to make these trips I realized how lucky I was to be given a ride in the cab of the Locomotive, not everyone is lucky enough to have these offers. These trips were against the rules and if the Locomotive crew were ever found out they could get into a lot of trouble.

I guess because some train men let me take some rides I in turn did the same thing in later years when I was a Projectionist. It was also against the rules to allow anyone in a Projection Room unless they were licensed and unionized or were part of the Management team. But if I saw someone interested in what went on behind the glass windows I'd invite them in for a visit.

The look in the eyes alone said it all as to how happy they were getting to see a part of the movies not everyone is fortunate to see. And I guess my eyes told the Locomotive Crews the same things the eyes of the ones who got to see my Projection Rooms.

Until we next meet.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

An Afternoon At The Depot

2007-02-24T20:05:00.000-05:00

Last August I wrote about being "Down At The Station". In that post I mentioned about the Hot Day and the smell of the Creosote and the warm breeze. It was the kind of day to be lazy as it was hot out in the Sun. In the post I included some pictures Dad took one other hot Summer day. It would be the last time Dad and I actually went to watch a train together.

I got thinking about that post I made when I was going through some pictures I forgot I scanned of a "Very Hot" Afternoon so long ago I only remember it being 1976 or 1977. I do remember I still rode my bicycle to the Depot as I didn't have my Driver's Licence yet and I started to drive in 1978.

Thinking back brought a lot of memories back to what seemed to be a much simpler time. We didn't have Computers, Cell Phones or Black Berries. We made our own fun and for me was going to watch the trains that arrived everyday.

For some reason for which I don't remember, I only took pictures of "Train #18" this day. Normally when I went to the station I took pictures of both "Train #19" & "Train #18". This day I only got pictures of "Train #18".

The following pictures were taken this "Very Hot" day of "Train #18" arriving at 1714 hrs in Antigonish from Truro, Nova Scotia after connectiong with "Train #14" ~ "The Ocean" from Montreal, Quebec which continued on to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

When I started this blog it was going to be just of My Dad's Pictures, but I thought I'd share some of my pictures as well. My Pictures are not of the best quality. My Camera took a film size of 126 film and came in a cartridge. When the last picture was taken the cartridge was removed from the camera and sent off to be developed. Not the greatest of cameras which alas took poor pictures.

"Train #18" is just about to cross Bay Street and the Engineer is no doubt blowing the 14~L Grade Crossing warning.

"Train #18" has just come to a rest and now the People aspect will come to life. The Station Agent will take his Baggage Cart to the Express Car with any luggage Eastward to Sydney and points between and pick up express and baggage for Antigonish.

The Trainman will be getting ready to prepare with the passengers getting off. The Conductor will also be there to answer any questions the passengers getting off might have.

"Train #18" at the tail end with the last two coaches that were coupled onto the Coach, Snack/Lounge Car, and Dayniter when they were taken out of "Train #14" ~ "The Ocean" to continue on to Sydney. The Coaches that stayed in Truro overnight from "Train #19" were for local passengers between Truro and Sydney and for Sleeping Car Passengers who were continuing on to points East of Truro. At one time a Sleeping Car would continue on to Sydney as well.

In this picture the Trainman is assisting with the passengers getting off of "Train #18". The Conductor is watching from the "Vestibule" of the Coach. The passage way between the coaches is called the Diaphragms. These devices offer protection for the passengers passing between cars as well as helping with the slack action when the brakes are applied and the cars will naturally want to push into each other.

Another picture of the Trainman helping with the passengers getting off of "Train #18" that Hot Summer day. It was the type of day that even was too hot for the bugs. The smell of the Creosote was strong and no doubt the passengers in "Train #18" who were continuing on to Sydney appreciated the Air Conditioning.

Looking down the platform towards the station. In the distance a group of Scouts were walking towards the coaches and are going to board "Train #18" for some point East.

I like this picture as it shows the train, the station and the people. This picture has life to it and which sadly cannot be repeated.

Business is complete in Antigonish and "Train #18" is about to continue on to Sydney, Nova Scotia to return as "Train #19" tomorrow. You can just make out the "Dayniter Attendant" in the open door of the Vestibule in the carriage just behind the Baggage/Express Car. I remember I got a picture of him as his car went past as well as the Conductor and Trainman in the coach following.

The "Dayniter Attendant" acknowledging my presence. His job would be to tend to his passengers in his charge that boarded in Montreal and points East and make sure they safely got off of his car that was assigned to him. He took his orders from the Conductor if there was any.

"The Conductor" & "Trainman" getting a quick breath before collecting the tickets for the passengers that got on in Antigonish. This picture is not as clear as the rest but I only had an Insta~matic Camera and at the best of times the subject I was taking had to be perfectly still.

"Train #18" leaving for Sydney it's final destination. Next stop is Harve Boucher at 1810 hrs where the Engineer and Fireman in the Locomotive will change with the Conductor and Trainman continuing on to Sydney. The "Dayniter Attendant" travel the entire distance between Montreal and Sydney.

In a future post I will share some pictures of a Saturday Afternoon I was at the Station in the Winter and stayed the entire day and got both "Train #19" & "Train #18" recorded on film. But this is for another time.

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

Train 19 ~ Truro Bound ~ Brierly Brook, Nova Scotia

2007-02-05T23:32:00.001-05:00

Last August I posted Train 18 - Sydney Bound - Brierly Brook, Nova Scotia which had pictures Dad took of "Train # 18" at Leo's in the Brierly Brook. I thought I'd share the pictures Dad took of Train #19 that same day.

Train 19 - Truro Bound - Brierly Brook Siding - Antigonish Co. Nova Scotia - 1978.

Dad took this picture of "Train #19" just west of the crossing at Leo's. It would be about 1545 hrs when the train passed by this point on it's Journey from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Truro, Nova Scotia. At Truro "Train #19" connected with "Train #11" ~ "The Scotian" which opereated between Halifax, Nova Scotia and Montreal, Quebec.

A Coach, Snack/Lounge Car and Dayniter were switched into the consist of "Train #11 to continue on to Montreal. For Passengers continuing onto Halifax, they had to change trains in Truro and wait for "Train #12" ~ "The Scotian" from Montreal to continue onto Halifax. Passengers had a 2h 40m wait in Truro. Passengers continuing onto Montreal had a 35m wait and didn't have to change trains.

Train 19 - Truro Bound - Brierly Brook Siding - Antigonish Co. Nova Scotia - 1978.

This picture show the forward part of the train. Behind Locomotive 3161 (Montreal Locomotive Works) is a Steam Generating Car in the 15000 series used for Heating in Winter and Air Conditioning in Summer. Following next is the Baggage/Express Car that would have the through Baggage for points West as well as small Express and Mail. The next two cars are the local Passenger Coaches. These two coaches as well as the Steam Generating Car would be parked in Truro overnight to return on "Train #18" the next day for Sydney.

Train 19 - Truro Bound - Brierly Brook Siding - Antigonish Co. Nova Scotia - 1978.

The final three cars in the consist following the local coaches are the Through Coach, The Snack/Lounge Car and Dayniter in that order. These are the cars that would be switched into "Train #11 at Truro.

If you could see up to where the Locomotive is you would see it crossing a bit of "Still Water". Just to the left of the wee trestle is the Brierly Brook. Out of the Brook came some of the Nicest Brook Trout you ever tasted.

Here is a story I posted back in 2005 where I talk about what my Dad taught me. One was patience and fishing. With Patience I touch on fishing with Dad in the Brierly Brook and mention trains. Did You Ever Wonder ?

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

Saturday ~ 27 October, 1979 ~ Last Train #19

2007-02-04T12:47:00.007-05:00

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"

My Dad & Me

2006-12-05T23:15:00.001-05:00

I thought for a change I would not post pictures of trains or Steam Locomotives but post a couple of pictures Dad took of me at the railway tracks.

Dad took this picture of me when I couldn't have been no more than 4 or 5 years old. And as amazing as it may sound, I remember Dad taking this picture and the next picture. It was a Early Spring day and I remember Dad asking me if I wanted my picture taken standing on the railway tracks.

I remember telling my Dad what would happen if a train came while he was taking my picture. My memory is a bit foggy but I think I was assured that we'd have more than enough time for Dad to grab my hand and safely get me off the tracks.

Closly looking at this picture you can see the railway bridge crossing the Brierly Brook. In a couple of months the brook will be full of Trout. Looking at the picture all of a sudden makes me think of another thing Dad shared with me, and that is going Trout Fishing.

I cannot remember if this picture was taken after Dad took the above picture, or took this picture first. I can remember my Dad asking me to rest my hand against the Wig/Wag standard. This is not really a Wig/Wag but a Railway Crossing sign with the alternating red lights.

The thing I remember in this photo was Dad telling me to stand still until he got the picture. I don't think we got to see a train that day either. What I marvel at is how there is no growth at all and you can clearly see the Back Road running parallel with the railway tracks.

This is "Joe Stephens". I don't remember this picture being taken but it is the height of Summer. It looks like a hot day and the bugs would be singing in the hot air. When you look at this picture of Edie and Myself, you will see a lane leading to a Gravel Pit. In here was where Dad would park the car and he and I would go fishing and Mum and Edie would pick the wild strawberries. This picture would have been taken a 3 or 4 years after the above pictures were taken.

Where the railway passes though here, the land is a bit damp and I remember Dad telling me that in the Spring the CNR would post slow orders through here and trains were not allowed to travel at the posted speed. I believe the CNR posted the speed limit to about 20 mph.

This picture was taken about 35 or 36 years after Dad took the above picture. I took this picture Thanksgiving Day (Canada) October 2001 so to have one to compare to Dad's. You wouldn't think this was the same location. The Road is totally obscured and you can barely make out the bridge the railway uses to cross the Brierly Brook. Sharp eyes will find the bridge. It is still possible to enter into the old Gravel Pit I still know as Joe Stephens.

Another Change is the telegraph poles and lines are missing. The Railway got rid of the poles and lines in the 1980's. But I can remember making fishing trips in the Brierly Brook in later years and finding some of the Cross Beams that would be attached to the poles the insulators would be on to keep the wires from grounding out. Back then I never thought about taking a couple for souvenirs, but these glass insulators are collectors items today.

This is looking in the other direction from the above picture. You can see the swampy area the railway passes through. At this time of the year there are no slow orders, but in the Spring it would be different. I can remember when I used to take the train to Halifax and if it was Spring the train would slow right down coming through here.

Neither Dad or I took this picture, but I searched the Internet and found a picture of a Railway Wig Wag. I found the picture at Dan's Wig Wag Site. The picture was found at the Contributor Photo collections link and by clicking on the Douglas Peterson link.

Some of you will remember the Wig Wag and the way it swung back and forth. Some would have a blinking red light in the center of the swinging warning sign. The bells would be so loud you knew the train was coming before the Engineer blew his whistle for the crossing. I never remember seeing a wig wag, but I remember Mum calling all the railway crossing signs as wig wags.

I don't know when the railways phased out the Wig Wag for the standard Crossing lights and bells with the Crossbucks that say Railway Crossing. Before the Wig your crossed at your own risk, and this is when the Railways came up with the Slogan "Stop, Look and Listen"

On this will close down for now.

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

At The Water Tower

2006-11-26T03:20:00.001-05:00

The following pictures are some Dad took at the Water Tower. In one picture the Express Building and Freight Sheds are visible.

CNR - 2412 - Eastbound - Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

I like this picture as like stated earlier Dad not only took pictures of just trains but of the people around the trains. This picture is definitely posed and no doubt there is a reason why the locomotive stopped short of the water tower. It may have just finished switching the West Yard and is now getting ready to replenish the water in the tender. It is in the siding though, so it may be waiting for a Westbound train to go past.

The young boy in the picture can't be no more than 12 years of age and would be close to 60 today. No doubt down to watch the activity at the East End of town. Just in front of the locomotive is the framework for the water tower.

The 2412 is of the 2-8-0 Consolidation type of Steam Locomotive. One of the 20 locomotives of the N-1-a Class Built in 1912 for the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) by the Canada Foundry. The 2412 was acquired into the Canadian National 20 December, 1918. The 2412 was scrapped in April 1956.

CNR 3202 & 3529 - Eastbound - Antigonish, Nova Scotia

Dad went and stood on the hill behind the Water Tower and just to the West of it. Across from the Train you can see the Freight Sheds just behind the 3202 and the larger building to the right of the second locomotive is the Express Office.

Sharp eyes will see the fireman of the 3202 is on the tender ready to replenish the water. After this locomotive has the water topped off the tender of the second locomotive may be filled.

Behind the train and the buildings is the West Yard where in a previous blog I posted you saw pictures of Dad and Charlie standing on the tops of the Boxcars. Behind the yard is the Wright's River and houses

The 3202 & 3529 are 2-8-2 Mikado type of locomotives. The 3202 is one of the 50 S-1-a class built in 1916 for the Canadian Government Railways (CGR) by the Kingston Locomotive Works and became part of the Canadian National Railway in 1918. The 3202 was scrapped August, 1955.

The 3529 is one of 35 locomotives of the S-2-a class built new August, 1923 by the Montreal Locomotive Works and was scrapped May, 1961.

Judging from the picture and no leaves on the trees, it is either the Fall or Spring and no doubt it isn't too warm of a day. I can remember one time Dad took me for a drive around this yard to let me see the parks boxcars. I don't remember all that much but do remember the ground was muddy as it just rained and the car almost got stuck.

CNR 3270 - Eastbound - Antigonish, Nova Scotia

This is a really good picture Dad took of a doubleheaded freight train. The Headend Brakeman is watching the crossing to wave cars across the track while the fireman fills the tender with water.

The 3270 is another 2-8-2 Mikado type of locomotive one of 50 of the S-1-b class built in 1918 for the CGR by the Kingston Locomotive Works. The 3270 was scrapped August 1956.

The second locomotive is unidentified but looks like another 2-8-2 Mikado type of locomotive. Looking at the picture you can see the Water Tower is half full/empty by seeing the float at the roof. To the right of the train on top of the hill is St Martha's Hospital where I was born in the wee hours of the morning 26 April, 1960.

CNR - Westbound - Antigonish, Nova Scotia

Picture of the 3597 having the tender filled with water. This could be the Engineer looking at my Dad take the picture as you can see the fireman filling the tender with water. It most likely is the Headend Brakeman though as while the tender was being filled, the Engineer may be on the ground looking at the Running Gear and giving it a quick oiling or greasing.

The 3997 is one of 30 of the S-2-c class of locomotive. Built new for the Canadian National in August, 1924 it was scrapped in May, 1960.

CNR Unidentified - Westbound - Antigonish, Nova Scotia

Unidentified locomotive of the Mikado 2-8-2 type. In the distance you can see the train parked in front of the station. The train crew probably had some switching to do at the West Yard and uncoupled from the train so as the Crossing to the Hospital wouldn't be blocked.

It looks like the fireman could be filling the tender as the spout is not in the upright position. Once the tender is filled the locomotive may move on to do some pickups from the West Yard. It may be finished and the crew just wanted to top up the tender before coupling to the train and heading for points west.

In future posts will show more of Dad's steam pictures.

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

Train Wreck

2006-10-19T14:27:00.000-04:00

The following pictures are what dad took of a very nasty Train Wreck in the 1950's. The derailment happened East of the Town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia at South River. Dad told me long ago the date it happened but now forgotten and I believe the reason for the wreck was the Engineer was speeding to make up some time and realized he had lost hsi brakes. I cannot remember if Dad said the train was Eastbound to Sydney, or Westbound to Truro.

Dad said when he took the pictures he walked past Officials from the Canadian National and they didn't think twice about him. During this part of Dad's life he would wear a Blazer with a tie. The CNR Officials probably thought Dad was the Official Photographer taking pictures of the wreck for further Investigation.

4312 - Stellarton, Nova Scotia sometime before the wreck at South River.

4312 - New July, 1929 - Canadian Locomotive Co. Kingston, Ontario. Re-numbered 4712 March, 1959 - Scrapped February, 1960. The 4312 was of the T-4-a Class of 2-10-2 Locomotive. The locomotive had 24x28" cylinders, 57" driving wheels, 250 lbs in boiler pressure per square inch and a haulage rating o 60%.

4312 - Truro, Nova Scotia after the wreck at South River.

Dad would have taken a trip to Truro to take this picture. This picture was no doubt taken not long after the wreck as the Locomotive would have been taken to Moncton, New Brunswick where the Canadian National Railway had shops that could take this damaged locomotive and make it look new again.

4312 - Wreck Site - South River, Nova Scotia.

This is a picture that gives the look of the locomotive at rest. By the time Dad got to the wreck site to take the pictures the railway had the temporary track in place so traffic could get moving again. At the time these pictures were taken, there were 3 Passenger Trains between Sydney and Halifax each way and at least 2 or more Freight Trains in each directioin. With the railway shutdown at this point, there would be a backlog of traffic needing to get through.

It also reminds me of how Dad's trains he had set up on the 4x8' plywood board would look if I managed to have the train traveling around the figure 8 at "warp speed". After a couple of times of having his prised locomotive laying on it's side, I was again restricted to only watching his model trains move around the figure 8.

4312 - Wreck Site - South River, Nova Scotia.

Looking at this picture, you can only imagine the force of impact that the locomotive hit the ground. I cannot recall if the Engineer and Fireman survived the wreck or perished. No doubt when the Engineer knew they were going to crash he probably told the Fireman to jump. Also riding in the locomotive would have been a Brakeman who's job was to open the switches for the train to enter sidings to meet trains, and another task the Brakeman had was to walk about a mile ahead of the train if it stalled or had to stop to flag down any opposing train that may be traveling in the opposite direction.

South River Wreck.

Train Wrecks bring out the crowds who like to look. This would be a big event for Antigonish. If this was today, the crowds would be allowed no-where near the wreck site. I can remember one train wreck that Dad toom me to see in the early 1970's in Afton, Nova Scotia. We couldn't get anywhere close to the derailment.

South River Wreck.

Another picture that shows the force of impact and how destructive a Derailment can be. I can only imagine the amount of force the boxcars came upon when they stopped quick banging into the trees. Imagine how loud the sound would be at the time the wreck happened.

South River Wreck.

When a derailment happens many things happen. Crews have to be called, the big equipment is dispatched and the officials have to come investigate (both rail and the Govenment authorities). In this picture you can see the big Wrecking Cranes about to clear the right-of-way.

The railway official is there as well as the Wrecking Crew. The chap crouched down near the steam crane is watching to make sure the Steam Crane's wheels remain on the rails and not lift. If he sees any of the wheels lift off the rails from the Wrecking Crane lifting the derailed car, he has button he can push that blows a whistle to notify the Wrecking Crane operator the Crane could possible topple over.

South River Wreck.

A closer view of the above picture. I like thinking that Dad in his Blazer and tie would be walking about like he was the Official Photographer for the Railway. In this picture the two Wrecking Cranes are visible.

South River Wreck.

Dad told me the Canadian National had to dispatch 3 Wrecking Cranes to the derailment. Dad said that the railway originally dispatched the Wrecking Crane from Sydney and from Truro. Dad said on of the Cranes toppled over and a third Crane had to be dispatched from Moncton in New Brunswick. No doubt the Railway would need to have the line opened as quick as possible so this third Wrecking Crane would have rights over all other trains except 1st class Passenger Trains.

You can spot the Railway Officials as they are the ones in the trench coats and hats. I can only imagine the questions that would need to be asked and answered and how much this one derailment would cost the railway in dollars and cents. The Bean Counters would be using wearing out their adding machines.

South River Wreck.

This last picture shows the Bunkhouse or Crew Cars that Wrecking Crews would stay in when not clearing the line. Depending on how sever the wreck and important the line, crews would work 24 hrs a day to re-open the line.

In future posts will upload some more of my Dad's steam pictures.

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

Sydney Trip - Summer 1977

2006-08-29T14:51:00.001-04:00

In 1977, Dad and I spent 3 wonderful days together on a trip to Sydney on Cape Breton Island to visit friends. Dad and I took the train there and back home. The following pictures are of our trip home. All pictures were taken from the Dutch Door of "Train #19" on that warm Summers Day. It was safe to stand in the Dutch Door of the railway carriages as "Train #18 and #19" didn't travel all that fast. The fastest speed would be about 40 mph or about 62 kph. "Train #19" left Sydney at 1115 hrs and arrived in Antigonish at 1535 hrs.

"Grand Narrow" Swing Bridge - Barra Strait - Bras d'Or Lake.

This picture is just before we are getting to Grand Narrows, on the Cape Breton County side of the Bras d'Or Lake. Across the lake is Victoria County. At this location we are 56 miles or 90 km from Sydney. It took about 90 minutes to get to this point in the journey.

The Bridge was built by the Intercolonial Railway when they pushed the rails from Truro to Sydney in the late 1800's. I don't have the exact date the bridge was built, but the spans were pre-frabricated and floated to this location to be erected. The Bridge has seven spans and the span closest to the Grand Narrows side is the Swing Span. The church on the other shore is St. Columbia Parish in Iona 1859-1981.

This scene cannot be appreciated today as the Nova Scotia Government in the late 1980's early 1990's built a highway bridge on this side of the Railway Bridge and the view is now totally obscured.

"Train #19" about to pass "Grand Narrows Station" - Cape Breton County

"Train #19" is about to pass the station at Grand Narrows. This train didn't have to stop here but the "Railliner" that left Sydney at 0630 hrs had a flag stop here at 0750 hrs if anyone was waiting to catch the train to points west.

"Train #19" once past the station at Grand Narrows will enter the approach to the Swing Bridge across the Barra Strait. About this time the train is slowing down so as to cross the bridge at the restricted speed of I believe 15 mph or 25 kph.

"Train #19" about to enter the "Grand Narrow Swing Bridge"

"Train #19" is doing the required restricted speed to cross the bridge. All trains had to adhere to this speed for safety reasons. If the train should derail on the bridge, less damage to the train and bridge would happen. Also the waters are deep here and I can remember looking down from the Dutch Door of the coach and seeing the dark cold waters. It took roughly a minute to cross the bridge and I was glad when we were across.

I remember while we were visiting our friends in Sydney and mentioning to Mildred about crossing the bridge on the way to Sydney. Mildred told me she used to cross the bridge to play the piano. I cannot remember if Mildred said she crossed from Grand Narrows to Iona to play the piano in the church, or if it was to cross over to Grand Narrows to play the piano.

"Iona Side" - Bras d'Or Lake - Victoria County

"Train #19" just across the Grand Narrows Swing Bridge. The Train is crossing the road to that leads to the Ferry Slip at Iona to Grand Narrows of Vehicle Traffic. At this location the Locomotive Engineer is blowing the "14-L" Grade Crossing warning.

After the train is completely off the bridge, the Engineer will speed up the train to about 40 mph or the 62 kph. The trip along the Bras d'Or Lake is really pretty. More so along the Victoria County side. The Train snaked along the lake shore and the scenery was quite beautiful. The "Bras d'Or" is translated from the French meaning "Golden Arm". The Bras d'Or is part of the Atlantic Ocean and is really an Inland Sea.

This trip cannnot be made anymore as in 1979 Via Rail cancelled "Trains #18 and #19 and replaced them with Railliners. In 1990 all Passenger Trains in Atlantic Canada except "The Ocean" between Halifax and Montreal were terminated by the Federal Govenment. If the trip were repeated today, one would have to ride a in a Box Car.

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

Train 18 - Sydney Bound - Brierly Brook, Nova Scotia

2006-08-15T20:56:00.001-04:00

Brierly Brook Siding - Antigonish Co. Nova Scotia - 1978.

I am including this picture to set the mood for the piece I am about to talk about. Dad took these pictures the Summer of 1978. It would have been in July or August as I was fishing the day Dad took these pictures. Thia picture was taken around the time Train "18" passed through at 1704 hrs.

Mum, Dad and I were in the Brierly Brook this day. Mum and Dad would be picking the wild strawberries and I would have gone fishing. I wasn't with Dad when these pictures were taken but I do remember the Engineer blowing the Air Horn for the Railway Crossings along the line.

On this day, the temperature were not that hot, but the humidity was making it sticky. There was a storm brewing in the wind and I remember later on that evening we got a wicked Thunder & Lightning storm.

Dad would have taken this picture with Train "18" just out of site around the curve. The Engineer giving the Grade Crossing warning on the whistle at Joe Stephens.

The farm in the distance was Danny MacIsaac's farm. Mum used to come to this spot when she was a little girl growing up. The Brierly Brook School was only about a mile from here, and on break, Mum and her friends would come down here. At this time (1930's) the Canadian National had a spur line here as well and Work Trains would be parked here. Mum and her friends would find their way to the Kitchen Car for the workers and the Cook would give Mum and her friends a really big cookie he just baked.

Train 18 - Sydney Bound - Brierly Brook Siding - Antigonish Co. Nova Scotia - 1978.

As Dad would be taking this picture of Train "18" the Locomotive Engineer would be blowing the "14-L" Grade Crossing for the the crossing just behind Dad.

The "14-L" was the whistle that everyone is familiar with. The Engineer would be blowing (2) Long, (1) Short, and (1) Long blast from the horn. Most Engineers has the whistle warning timed so the last (1) Long tone would be sounded as the Train crossed the highway.

These were the only pictures Dad took of Train "18" as this train passed through Antigonish at 1714 Hrs. Dad kept things to a schedule himself and at this time he would be home eating Supper.

In this picture the entire train is visible. The (2) Locomotives, Steam Generating Car for heating & air conditioning the train, the Dayniter, Snack/Lounge Car, Montreal Day Coach and final (2) heavyweight coaches for local passengers.

Train 18 - Sydney Bound - Brierly Brook Siding - Antigonish Co. Nova Scotia - 1978.

By the time this picture was taken Train "18" & "19" was down to one Baggage Car. When these trains were first created after Train "18" & "19" - "The Cabot" was cancelled, they carried (2) Baggage Cars. (1) for Express only and the (2nd) for Passenger's Baggage.

Following the Baggage Car are the (3) Montreal cars off of Train "14" - "The Ocean". Just behind the Baggage Car would be the Dayniter, then the Snack/Lounge Car then the Day Coach. The last (2) cars would be the Heavyweight Coaches that only ran between Truro and Sydney. These last (2) coaches would be used for Local Passengers between these points. As well as Sleeping Car passengers off of Train "14" - "The Ocean".

Sleeping Car passengers from Montreal had to vacate the Sleeping Cars in Truro if traveling East of Truro onwards to Sydney. By this time the Sleeping Cars that were part of Train "18" & "Train 19" were removed. At this time Sleeping Car accommodation was available between Halifax and Montreal on Train "14" & "15" - "The Ocean" & Train "11" & "12" - "The Scotian". In the early 1970's Train "18" & "19" had Sleeping Cars that traveled between Sydney & Montreal.

By this time it was costing Canadian National more to operate the Sleeping Cars than what it generated in revenue. About the only time Sleeping Cars would be used between Sydney & Montreal were when special groups would charter the Sleeping Cars. Every Year one group would Charter (3) Sleeping Cars for a Religious Pilgrimage to St. Anne de Beaupré, just 30 miles east of Quebec City.

Train 18 - Sydney Bound - Brierly Brook Siding - Antigonish Co. Nova Scotia - 1978.

This picture shows the transition from Canadian National to VIA Rail of Passenger Services. By this time VIA Rail was a Crown Corporation on it's own. The different color schemes used can be seen in these pictures. Canadian National's second color scheme it applied to it's Passenger Fleet in 1961 was the light grey/black. The VIA Blue was the (3rd) color scheme Canadian National used. The (1st) color scheme Canadian National used when these cars were built in 1954/55 was the black/green/gold.

Most people think the Original Color Scheme of the black/green/gold was Canadian National's Finest, and I got to agree. It was the shortest lived of the color schemes Canadian National used, but it survived on some passenger cars into the 1970's. The Cars were repainted into the light grey/black when the cars were shopped and had to have major repairs or were being re-furbished inside.

Canadian National Railways - 1954 Color Scheme - E Series Sleeping Car.

If anyone knows who is the photographer of this picture is please email me so the proper credit can be given.

Dad never took any pictures of the Passenger Trains Canadian National ran during the transition from Steam to Diesel. So I had to search the Intenet to find this picture that shows Canadian National's 1954/55 Color Scheme.

This picture shows a Sleeping Car built by "Pullman Standard" in 1954 for the Canadian National's "Super Continental" it was starting to compete with the new Canadian Pacific "The Canadian".

There were 54 of these E Series Sleeping Cars built for Canadian National. They ran anywhere on Canadian National Sleeping Cars ran. They were mostly used on the "Super Continental" but found themselves running on other overnight trains such as "The Ocean Limited" and "The Scotian" between Halifax and Montreal. Some may have even made it to Sydney.

Canadian National Railways Schedule - Sydney - Truro - Halifax - 26 October, 1975 - 24 April, 1976.

Canadian National Railways Schedule - Halifax - Sydney - Montreal - 26 October, 1975 - 24 April, 1976.

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

Down At The Station

2006-08-10T23:02:00.000-04:00

I decided to write about down at the station after Pauline stopped by. Visit Whistle Stop as Pauline has written a powerful story of the Railway where she grew up.

Dad - Antigonish, Nova Scotia - 1950's

In this picture Dad is sitting on one of the Baggage Carts that would be used to take packages and luggage to the Express and Baggage Cars on the trains. When I look at this picture, I think about my visits to the station to watch the trains.

The Young Fart - Antigonish, Nova Scotia - 1975

I though I'd include a picture of myself in the Blog. This was Dad and My first trip to take pictures and watch "Train 19" arrive from Sydney. Dad thought it'd be fun to get a picture of me on this freight car. He had to do a lot of convincing to get me on the car. I being a coward then, was worried the "Station Agent" would have the Police down in record time.

This visit started something in me that got me making a trip almost every Saturday to the station to watch "Train 19" for Truro and points West to arrive, then about 90 minutes later, "Train 18" for Sydney would show up. I'd show up weather permitting, even in the winter I'd be there.

Then one Friday I was at the Station and was invited to ride "Train 19" all the way to Truro in the Locomotive. I was in Heaven and had my camera along to record the event. When I didn't arrive home for Supper, Mum and Dad were a bit worried but after they called the Station and found out I was gone for the ride of my life, they were relieved.

Getting off the Rail Liner at 23:30 hrs I knew Dad would not be happy and have some things to say, but as soon as he seen the joy on my face and how much fun I had he didn't have the heart to scold me. All I remember Dad saying was the next time I did something like this just to let him know ahead of time.

During the summer when school was out for Summer Vacation, I'd be there through the middle of the week. Reading Pauline's story, I got to thinking about one hot summer day in July I made a visit down to the depot in my Home Town.

I was sitting on the Baggage Cart and the heat was so hot, even the flies were not about. The humidity must have been making the temperatures even hotter. It was probably 35 degrees celsius, or 95 degrees fahrenheit. Hot by any standard.

Train 19 - Truro Bound - Antigonish, Nova Scotia - August 1978.

The creosote smell from the ties was stroong, and only made worse from the heat off of the Steel Rails. The breeze was hot and the only cool place was in the shade. And to think I came down to the station on my bicycle. Why is it when we are younger, we don't mind the heat as much?

Friends came by and then left, and before I knew it, "Train 19" would be blowing it's air horn (though most folks still call it a whistle - for which it isn't at all) for the Crossing at "William's Point". Then way in the distance, around the curve would come the train and then even at this distance of over a mile, the Locomotive Headlight would be shining bright.

Train 19 - Truro Bound - Antigonish, Nova Scotia - August 1978.

"Train 19" would be stopped in Antigonish long enough to unload and board passengers and have baggage and express exchanged between the "Station Agent" and the "Baggageman" in the Baggage Car.

By this time "Train 19" was down to the "Steam Generator Car" directly behind the Locomotives. Then followed the Baggage Car, Coaches, Snack Car/Lounge and Dayniters. On this day "Train 19" had a second Dayniter in the consist.

Why "Train 19" was operating with a second Dayniter will remain a mystery. The only thing I can think is there must have been a special group who traveled on "Train 18" to Cape Breton the day before and this car was "Deadheading" back to Montreal, or maybe to Halifax.

Train 19 - Truro Bound - Antigonish, Nova Scotia - August 1978.

I am including this picture of the "Snack Car/Lounge" that traveled between Sydney and Montreal. If you were hungry you could have a sitdown meal in the forward end of the car or if thirsty you could have your favorite alcoholic beverage in the Lounge. In this picture, the lounge was at the "B End" which is closest to the camera.

The beverage room was partitioned off from the rest of the car so traffic moving through the car didn't bother the one lounging. It was also law that the lounge be partitioned off from the rest as Minors were not allowed in the lounge. The kitchen was on this side of the car and opposite the kitchen was a counter with stools similar to a roadside diner. If you so wished, you could sit at booths in the dining area.

This was the last time my Dad and went to watch trains together at the Station when Dad took these pictures on another hot day in August, which was almost as hot as my July visit which I was talking about.

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

People & Trains

2006-08-08T14:10:00.000-04:00

I Have decided today to upload some pictures of Dad & Charlie. The Pictures were taken at the West Yard in Antigonish when it was active. The West Yard was used for storage of freight cars.

The Express Office & building for Canadian National were here, and freight that wasn't delivered right away was stored here until pickup or delivery. In future pictures I will upload pictures that show the Express Office & Building.

Eastbound Freight - West Yard - Antigonish, Nova Scotia. - 1950's.

This picture is being included to go with the rest I am going to with. As stated in the second post I made, I said my Dad would do things that would be frowned upon by the Canadian National Railways.

Dad climbed up on top of the Box Car to take this picture of the Eastbound Freight train to Cape Breton. It must have been a long train as there are two locomotives leading. The first locomotive is a U class "Mountain Type" with what appears to be a "Santa Fe" T class following.

West Yard - Antigonish, Nova Scotia. - 1950's.

Dad took this picture of Charlie climbing over the end of the Box Car. These cars date back to the 1920's/30's and have the roof walks that train crews walked upon. Most times with the train moving.

The "Brakeman" would be required at times to walk along the top of the Box Car to apply the hand break in the earlier days of railways. In later years the Westinghouse Air Braking System was put into use so "Brakeman" were required less and less to apply the brakes manually. Only in a extreme emergency would the "Brakeman" be needed to venture out on the fast moving train to apply the brakes.

When Dad took this picture, Charlie was saying something that has long been forgotten. I knew Charlie in later years, and no doubt it was something along the lines of "What are you taking the picture for" or something similar.

West Yard - Antigonish, Nova Scotia. - 1950's.

This is a favorite picture of my Dad enjoying and his hobby. Charlie took the picture and by judging from the angle he must have been standing on the "Brake Wheel Handle Stem" visible in the pictures.

Like I stated in an earlier post, today Railfans wouldn't be able to get this close to railway property. In fact it was very much frowned upon 50 years ago, though as a safety reason and not a spying reason like today.

Dad did tell me during the War Years 1939 to 1945, unless you were on "Railway Property" for a reason, you were arrested and taken in for questioning.

3593 & 3379 - Antigonish, NS - Sydney Bound - Early 1950's

Dad took this picture at a different time. He told me he stood in the shadow of the pole so his reflection would be captured. This picture says so much. The train leaving for Sydney, Nova Scotia, The girls having a game of skipping and the Gentleman who brought the young boy down to watch the train. To quote the adage "A Picture Speaks A Thousand Words".

Locomotive 3593 was part of the S-2-c Class "Mikado Type" built new July 1924 at the "Montreal Locomotive Works" scrapped November, 1961.

Locomotive 3379 was part of the S-1-d Class "Mikado Type" built new 1918-19 at the "Canadian Locomotive Company", Kingston Ontario for the Canadian Government Railways numbered 2979.

2979 become part of the Canadian National Railways in 30 January, 1923 renumbered 3379 and was scrapped July 1956. At the time of scrapping, the 3379 was almost 40 years old.

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

The 6015 And Train 6

2006-08-05T22:25:00.000-04:00

6015 - Train 6 - Halifax Bound @ Antigonish, Nova Scotia - 1950's.

Dad took this picture sometime during the transition from Steam to Diesel. My Dad was a steam purist and didn't take very many pictures of the start of the Diesel era. I may have in my collection 2 or 3 pictures of a diesel.

As stated earlier, Train 6 is Halifax bound. It was scheduled for a 1310 hrs departure. Being a train that stopped at almost every station along the line between Sydney and Halifax, the schedule was well padded to do this.

Train 6 ran with more Head End cars than revenue cars. It carried Express, Mail, and Baggage cars as well as coaches and a Buffet Parlor car.

6015 - Train 6 - Halifax Bound @ Stellarton, Nova Scotia - 1950's.

Dad took this picture of Train 6 leaving Stellarton, Nova Scotia bound for Halifax. Train 6 if on time at Stellarton arrived at 1448 hrs and departed at 1458 hrs.

For Dad to take this picture of Train 6 leaving Stellarton, he would have hiked up the line to get it at speed in this dramatic picture.

The Chap who is watching Train 6 leave is looking for any sign of trouble coming out of the train. If he found nothing out of the ordinary, like a sticking brake shoe or some strange noise, he would give the High Ball to the Tail End Brakeman who would be at the end of the last car.

In this picture of the 6015, the "Smoke Deflectors" were removed by the Shop Forces, no doubt in Moncton, during one of the overhauls.

Canadian National experimented with different kind of Smoke Deflectors that would raise the smoke from the locomotive and not hinder the view of the Engineer. Needless to say the CNR never did find a sure fire way to have the smoke get in the Engineers sight and removed most Smoke Deflectors from most locomotives.

The 6015 as stated in an earlier post was from the first batch of "Mountain Type" of Locomotive built for the Canadian National. The 6015 belonged to the U-1-a class of 4-8-2, built new in August 1923. The 6015 was delivered from the Canadian Locomotive Company at Kingston, Ontario. Out of the entire batch from this class, 6000 to 6015, only the 6015 was preserved.

The 6015 was first donated to the CRHA (Canadian Railway Historical Association) at the Canadian Railway Museum in Delson Quebec, near Montreal. When Locomotive 6060 Class U-1-f (Montreal Locomotive Works) was removed from Static Display in Jasper in the 1980's, the 6015 took it's place in Jasper.

The 6015 today on Static Display in Jasper, Alberta.

The 6015 today is on Static Display at the Canadian National Railways Station in Jasper Alberta. I found the picture at www.steamlocomotive.info. To visit the site and find many pictures of Steam Locomotives on display Visit Here.

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

Trains 6 and 10

2006-08-03T23:17:00.000-04:00

Train 6 - Halifax Bound - Sylvan Valley, Nova Scotia - Early 1950's.

Pictured is Train 6 Westbound to Halifax. Train 6 if on time would have just left Antigonish at 1310 hrs and it would be about 1315 hrs about the time Dad took this picture. Train 6 is running with a clean fire as the smoke is white. It is running at about 45 mph along here with track in Class 1 condition.

Train 6 left Sydney at 0700 hrs and will arrive in Halifax at 1850 hrs. This is a running time of almost 12 hrs to travel the 289.6 miles. There was a hours delay at the Strait of Canso crossing the Strait between Point Tupper on Cape Breton and Mulgrave on the Mainland side. The Canso Causeway wouldn't open until 1955.

Train 6 and it's Eastbound Counterpart Train 5 were the daylight run between the two Cities. There were two overnight trains between each city in each direction. Train 6 ran the "Milk Run" and stopped at many places between Sydney and Halifax. This is the reason why for the almost 12 hour run.

Train 6 had more head end cars than revenue cars. The consist of Train 6 included Express cars, Postal Car, Baggage car, day coaches and Buffet Parlor Car on the Tail End. Train 6 ran everyday except Sunday.

Locomotive 6012 "Mountain Type" built at the Canadian Locomotive Company in Kingston, Ontario in August 1923 is heading Train 6. The 6012 was designated as Class U-1-a. 16 locomotives were built and designated in this Class. Only the 6015 was saved from the Scrapper's Torch and is now on Display in Jasper, Alberta.

Train 10 - Halifax Bound - Antigonish, Nova Scotia - Early 1950's.

Pictured is Train 10 running about 3 hours late. Scheduled to arrive in Antigonish at 0512 hrs, it was running about 3 hours late. It would still be dark if Train 10 was on time. Dad said this wasn't Train 6.

Train 10 left Sydney the Night before at 2215 hrs and would arrive in Halifax the next morning at 1140 hrs. Train 10 had a 2 hr 35 min delay at the Strait. It arrived at Point Tupper at 0215 hrs and left Mulgrave at 0350 hrs.

Train 10 was also hauled by a 6000 series U class Locomotive. The Mountain Class of Locomotive had a wheel arrangement of 4-8-2. Meaning it had 4 leading wheels, 8 driving wheels and 2 wheel trailing truck.

Consist of Train 10 were the usual Express, Mail and Baggage cars, Coaches but also carried Sleeping Cars between Sydney & Montreal being switched into the Westbound "Ocean Limited" at Truro. The other Sleeping Car ran between Sydney & Truro. There was no through Sleeping Car Service between Sydney & Halifax on Train 10.

If someone wanted to have Sleeping Car space between Sydney and Halifax, they would have to take Train 8 which left Sydney at 2140 hrs and arrived in Halifax at 0835 hrs the next morning. Train 8 would arrive in Antigonish at 0317 hrs.

Sydney-Truro-Halifax 1952 Schedule

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

Train 19 - Ten Years Later

2006-08-03T01:25:00.000-04:00

Train 19 - Truro Bound - James River, Nova Scotia.

This is Train 19 roughly 10 years after Dad took the pictures of "The Cabot" in the same location back on that hot Summer day in 1967. The day Dad took this picture, it was much cooler. I believe it was October of 1976.

By the time this picture was taken, train 19 and it's Eastbound counterpart Train 18 only traveled between Truro and Sydney, Nova Scotia. Connections were made in Truro between train 19 and "The Scotian" which was heading to Montreal, Quebec. "The Scotian" operated between Halifax and Montreal. Train 18 connected with "The Ocean" from Montreal to Halifax, and traveled Eastbound to Sydney from Truro.

Train 19 - Truro Bound - James River, Nova Scotia.

By the time these pictures were taken, trains 18 and 19 were much shorter. Gone were the Sleeping Cars and Dining Car and Full Lounge Cars. In the earlier 1970's folks could still have a Sleeping Car accommodation between Sydney and Montreal, but in the middle 1970's the Sleeping Cars were removed.

The consist of the trains were the Baggage and Express Cars, Day Coaches, Dinette/Lounge Car and Dayniter bringing up the rear. The Dayniter was a Day Coach with seating that had leg rests and more leg room to help with the sleeping at night. The Dayniter also had an attendant who was there for the passengers in this car. The Attendant would pass out pillows and blankets for his/her charges who had paid an extra fare above regular coach fare to ride this car.

Folks traveling West of Truro, Nova Scotia still didn't need to change trains. The last three carriages were switched out and added to the consist of "The Scotian" Westbound to Montreal. The same three carriages were switched out of "The Ocean" and marshaled into Eastbound Train 18 for Sydney.

Train 19 made it's last run on 27 October, 1979. Train 18 made it's last run to Sydney on 26 October, 1979. After Trains 18 & 19 were removed, Rail Liners were used. It wasn't the same as riding a full fledged train. The End of January, 1990, all passenger trains in the Maritimes were terminated except for "The Ocean" between Halifax and Montreal. The trains that ran between Halifax and Sydney and to Yarmouth were popular, but the Federal Government thought otherwise.

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

The Cabot - Train 19 - Montreal Bound - Summer 1967 - James River, Nova Scotia

2006-08-01T03:55:00.000-04:00

"The Cabot" Train 19 Montreal Bound - James River, Nova Scotia
Summer 1967

"The Cabot" was a train Inaugurated in 1967 that ran between Sydney, Nova Scotia and Montreal, Quebec for Canada's Expo. "The Cabot's" first run was 1 June, 1967 from each City.

It took the train about 24 hrs to run Westbound and around 26 hrs to operate Eastbound. Along the route Sleeping Cars were added or removed at Moncton & Edmonston, New Brunswick.

"The Cabot" Train 19 Montreal Bound - James River, Nova Scotia
Summer 1967

I remember the day these pictures were taken. It was the middle of summer, I believe July and Mum, Dad, Edie and I went to the James River for a picnic. I still remember we had Fried Chicken which Mum made along with Potato Salad and some cool fruit juice to drink. Mum & Dad had a thermos of Tea.

Dad knew "The Cabot" was soon to arrive and he looked at me and said it was soon time. The train stopped in town around 1212 hrs and would be in the James River about 20 minutes later.

The day Dad took these pictures, it was really hot and humid. I do remember this more than anything else. The breeze was even warm. I can still feel the warm humid air if I close my eyes and hear the bugs buzzing in the air. And being next to the railway tracks the temperature was even hotter because of the steel rails. Looking at the last picture, you can actually see the hot air and haze against the trees on the high hill.

These pictures are some of my favorite pictures that my Dad took. I think more so because Dad and I were together by ourselves when Dad took these pictures and my Dad was sharing one of his loves with me. This is one of the first times I can remember Dad and I watching a train together.

"The Cabot" Train 19 Montreal Bound - James River, Nova Scotia
Summer 1967

"The Cabot" was a full compliment train. It ran with every type of accommodation available to the travelling Canadian back in 1967. A passenger could settle for a seat in a "Day Coach" to a "Drawing Room" in the Sleeping Car. Sleeping accommodation ranged from the Uppers and Lower Berth, Open Sections, Roomettes, Bedrooms, Compartments to Drawing Rooms.

If you were hungry, a trip to the Lunch Counter Car to the Full Dining Car would satisfy the hungriest traveler. In fact the Canadian National was so desperate for equipment to run for Expo 67, it took out of storage sleepers, diners and lounges that dated to the 1920's.

The Canadian National was also looking South of the border and leased passenger equipment from the American Roads, who had surplus equipment. Not only did the Canadian National purchase, Sleeping Cars from the "New York Central" and "Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific", the CNR leased Sleeping cars, Dome Sleeping Cars, Buffet Sleepers, from the "Great Northern, "Norfolk & Western", "Baltimore & Ohio", "Rock Island", "Nickel Plate Road", and "Erie-Lackawana" "The Cabot" even ran with three leased Dining Cars Tarboro, Greenville, and Fitzgerald. from the ACL "Atlantic Coast Line".**

Schedule for "The Cabot" Summer 1967.
From Canadian National System Timetable - Summer 1967.

Equipment operated on "The Cabot"
From Canadian National System Timetable - Summer 1967

** With Thanks for the following information provided from
"A National Passenger Chronicle - Series Premiere"
Dale Wilson
Nickel Belt Rails

Till the next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

My Dad

2006-07-31T02:27:00.000-04:00

I was wondering what would be a good picture to post first, and came up with the idea to have the first picture to be of Dad. If it wasn't for him and his Friend Charlie who took the pictures, then I wouldn't have the wonderful collection we have now.

This picture was taken by Charlie (who was the Projectionist @ the Old Capitol- 1941 to 1963) and captured the essence of my Dad. This is how I remember my Dad. His Telescope and camera at the ready. Dressed nice with a tie and slacks. It would be later years that Dad would dawn the denim.

The above picture was taken at the water tower where the Steam Locomotives had their tender topped off. The closest Coaling was in Stellarton about 40 miles up the line West of here. The train was Eastbound heading towards the Sydneys to the Industrial Heart of Cape Breton Island.

This picture was taken some time in the 1950's as well. Charlie took this picture as well. My Dad would dare to be different and sitting on this trestle like this would not be endorsed by the Canadian National Railway. Today with all that is going on in the world. Railfans cannot even get this close to Railway property.

This picture was taken about 2 miles West of Antigonish. The Railway crossed the Wright's River twice in a matter of 3 tenths of a mile apart. It crossed the river at this location 82.5 miles from Truro, and at mile 82.2 from Truro.

I though it only fitting I include a picture of Charlie. Charlie is sitting on the other trestle over the Wright's River. This trestle 3 tenths of a mile west of the trestle that Dad is sitting on. The Canadian National crossed the river at this location then curved to the right and crossed the river on the trestle Dad is sitting on.

The Canadian National is no more in Eastern Nova Scotia. This line was sold in the early 1990's to Railtex in the United States and is now known as "The Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway.

Till next time.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"

Coming Soon

2006-07-30T22:50:00.000-04:00

"Coming Soon" to an Internet Connection near you will be a blog totally dedicated to My Dad and his train pictures.

I was wondering how I could have a tribute to my Dad and I got thinking I have pictures that people will never be able to have the opportunity to take ever again. One thing my Dad gave me more than anything else was my love for trains.

One picture at a time with a caption will be uploaded for everyone to see and enjoy. I will research the picture to give an accurate description of it. Most of the pictures were taken in Nova Scotia during the 1950's when Steam was being replaced by Diesel.

All Aboard

"The Old Fart"