[CBQ] Railroad Town

["Louis Zadnichek via Groups.Io" <LZadnichek=aol.com@groups.io>]

January 27, 2019

All - This excellent Canadian documentary dates back to 1955 during the transition from steam to diesel power on the Canadian National.  The film takes place in Melville, Saskatchewan, aptly entitled Railroad Town for the documentary. What immediately struck me about this remarkable film is that it just as easily could've been shot at any CB&Q Lines East or West division point across the entire system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBPgUSa18_8

I was age nine in 1955 and still have vivid memories of visiting the CB&Q division offices and roundhouse on Saturday mornings with my Dad who would've been a train master at the time.  Watching this video immediately brought back those delightful memories of meeting the yard master, car clerks, car knockers, special agent, hostlers, road masters, engineers, firemen, conductors, brakeman and all those others who made the Q roll on day after day, night after night seemingly effortlessly.

From the documentary, I remember similar comments made about the Q's remaining steam locomotives at the time when I would ask a road foreman of engines which was better, a steamer or a diesel..... Steam remained in his heart, but diesels were foremost in his mind. I had playmates who were sons of railroaders and the scenes of the engineer's family at home reminded me of both my own home at the time and the homes of my playmates.  This was a culture that has been genuinely lost in today's modern world.  Sad......

I trust all of you this Sunday evening will have as much enjoyment as I did in viewing this remarkable documentary on what railroading was really all about some 64 years ago. This was when our world was a much simpler, kinder place to live and when town bands came down to the depot to serenade old head engineers who were coming in on their last runs before retiring.  Best Regards - Louis

Louis Zadnichek II

Fairhope, AL

     

   

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