12-12-2015, 10:53 AM
Freight cars where not spotted at these sheds because all freight came and went by passenger train. Passenger trains of that time could have as many as 2 or 3 baggage cars on the head end and as many as 4 or 5 express box and reefer cars as well. Express box baggage cars were box cars painted in passenger train colors and fitted with high speed express reefer trucks and steam lines. Most of these trains had a baggage man and an express agent on the crew.
Everything from food, machinery parts and everything sold by merchants in that town came in on the train. And farmers would ship out milk, cream and eggs. All perishables used the express reefers.
In those days their where no Currier services only the Railroads. And they out performed today's carriers. One could phone an order to Eaton's in Winnipeg on Monday morning and it would be in Saskatoon Tuesday afternoon. That is about a 12 hour drive by car today.
The express agent on the train back then was also issued a 38 caliber revolver to protect the shipments from robbery.
This is how it was done on the Canadian National Railway in western Canada. Other railroads may have done things differently.
Everything from food, machinery parts and everything sold by merchants in that town came in on the train. And farmers would ship out milk, cream and eggs. All perishables used the express reefers.
In those days their where no Currier services only the Railroads. And they out performed today's carriers. One could phone an order to Eaton's in Winnipeg on Monday morning and it would be in Saskatoon Tuesday afternoon. That is about a 12 hour drive by car today.
The express agent on the train back then was also issued a 38 caliber revolver to protect the shipments from robbery.
This is how it was done on the Canadian National Railway in western Canada. Other railroads may have done things differently.
Robert
Modeling the Canadian National prairie region in 1959.
Modeling the Canadian National prairie region in 1959.