29 May 2008
CPR Retiree Reflects Poetically on Riding the Local Rails
Orangeville Ontario - Orangeville retiree Deb Reed has
waxed poetic in recalling the days when the CPR ran four trains daily (except Sunday) through Dufferin between Owen Sound and Toronto
Numbered trains 705, 706, 707, and 708 and pulled by steam engines until they were replaced by Dayliners (rail diesel cars) 50 years
ago, the passenger trains also had mail cars with staffs to sort the mail between stations.
Here is his submission:
Leave Owen Sound,
out on time,
right along the shore,
Up the grade, round the bend.
who could ask
for anything more?
There goes Rockford; we'd
pass right through,
because there was nothing
there to do.
First stop en route will be
Chatsworth.
Cannot say what revenue
that's worth,
but stop there we must,
then leave it in the dust.
Conductor yells All Aboard,
on to Holland Centre, round
the curves once more,
unlock the little 4 by 4, someone
hasta'go.
Hear the clatter through the
floor of the rails below.
Trainman get the key for the
next stopping point.
This will be Berkeley, be sure
you lock "the joint."
Forward men, on we sail to
the Markdale Station,
for bags of Royal Mail,
with little hesitation.
Just passed over the Saugeen
River,
so did someone in their flivver.
Parallel to Highway 10,
we have to cross it
now and then.
On we go to Station Ceylon,
which is for Flesherton, where
they get on.
Dundalk is the next in line,
where squaredancers have a
wonderful time.
Now Corbetton and Proton
are on the map
and then Melancthon's where
we're at.
Shelburne is next on the rails.
As we go, the whistle wails.
The iron horse says choochoo
choo.
There's nothing else
for it to do.
And now a farmer's place
called Laurel
- if we miss it today we can
stop tomorrow.
Next the "Y"
at Fraxa Junction,
where it serves
a special function.
Here to Orangeville
is a real short hop,
passenger trains have a tenminute
stop.
The busiest time
you will ever see,
with people buzzing 'round
like a honey bee.
Now we are half-way from
Owen Sound to Toronto,
so sit back and relax.
We'll get there pronto.
Next, Melville to Alton,
Cataract
and the Forks of the Credit.
Peer out the window, there is a
good reason,
especially in
the beautiful fall season.
Inglewood, Cheltenham,
Snelgrove we now pass
through
to Brampton with a livelier
view.
Churchville and Meadowvale
are down a small grade,
pretty soon we'll have it made.
Streetsville, Erindale,
Cooksville are gone.
Dixie and Islington sail by
before you know it.
The engineer pulls on the
whistle cord to blow it.
Now we are entering Toronto
at last.
Notice the bright lights reflecting
on the glass.
West Toronto, Parkdale, Union
Station, once again.
Aren't you glad that you travelled
by train?
Mr. Reed, a Canadian Pacific employee from 1937 to 1969, was the final agent at the old Railway Station Express and LCL Freight,
Orangeville.)
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