Volume 14
Number 16
Dec. 5, 1984
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He Handled Silk Trains in early 1920s
Then and Now: In Moose Jaw, Conductor C.C. Steffler
bids Locomotive Engineer Bill Manners a happy retirement after 42 years with the company. Today, 35 years later,
he is pictured in his New Westminster, B.C., home.
New Westminster, B.C. - On 13 Oct 1984 Bill Manners
became the third CP Rail pensioner living in British Columbia to celebrate his 100th birthday this year.
About 75 friends and relatives were on hand at his birthday party to congratulate him; including his daughter
Stella, her husband, and their five children.
Mr. Manners was born in Yorkshire, England, and came to Canada in 1905.
"There were more people in the city of London than in all of Canada when I came here", he said.
"Since that time I've taken 17 trips between Europe and Canada, not counting war
service.
He joined CP Rail in March of 1907 as an engine wiper in Moose Jaw, earning 11 cents per hour, working 12 hours
a day seven days a week. A year later he became a fireman and in 1911 a locomotive engineer.
"Some of the most memorable times, looking back, were in 1920 and '21 when I handled the silk trains heading
east. The silk was from Japan and destined for New York. Everything else had to move out of the way, they were
top priority trains".
Mr. Manners retired on 19 Oct 1949 after having worked in Moose Jaw his entire career.
"I had a good life. I liked my work on the road and there was a fine group to work with on the whole. I'd do
it all over again", he said.
Today his life is active and productive. He lives with his family in New Westminster and continues to play pool
at the Century House senior's club in Moody Park.
Since he moved here in 1974, he has returned almost every year to Moose Jaw for a visit.
Among his many souvenirs are copies of two medical examinations he received a few years before retirement. One
was dated 19 Feb 1948 and the second 22 Jun 1949. Both list under the section physical
defects - nil.
When asked to what he'd credit his longevity to, he said, "Being active and drinking lots of
water".
This CP Rail News article is copyright
1984 by Canadian Pacific Railway and is reprinted here with their permission. All photographs, logos, and
trademarks are the property of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company.
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