Trip on CPR Saint John, NB - Montreal, PQ, and Return
Circa-February-1951

By Don Scott, Coquitlam, BC

(*Symbol denotes CPR steam locomotives in
tuscan red-grey-black-gold paint scheme.)

West Saint John, N.B.
February 8, 1951

(Had travelled the other railway Moncton-Saint John)

Bay Shore Yard-and roundhouse:
Locomotives inside roundhouse-afternoon: Light modern 4-6-2 1256, light 4-6-2's 2604, 2627, 2504, heavy semi-streamlined 4-6-2's *2397, *2402, 2-8-2's 5303, 5319, 5328, 5239, 0-8-0 yard engines: 6925, 6928, heavy 6600, 2-8-0 yard engines: 3682, 3744, 3738.

Remarks: Light modern 4-6-2 1256 assigned to Saint John-Boston "Gull" passenger service as far as Vanceboro, Maine. CP power backs six miles to McAdam, N.B. Same applies next morning CP power for "Gull" backs to Vanceboro, Maine. At Vanceboro, Maine, Maine Central Railroad E-7 takes over to Portland, then Boston & Maine to North Station at Boston.

Locomotives in roundhouse *2397 and *2402 assigned Montreal trains. Locomotive *2397 will go westbound at 1700 on train #41 "Atlantic Limited" as far as McAdam, while *2402 will take out westbound Montreal train #39 at 2000 as far as McAdam, N.B. 4-6-2 1256 will depart Saint John Union Station on the westbound "Gull" to Boston at 2030.

Three other light 4-6-2's in roundhouse either 2604, 2627 or 2504 will take out the Fredericton local at 1745 for Fredericton. Heavy semi-streamlined 4-6-2's-*2397 arrived at Saint John Union station from Montreal on train #40 at 0645 (put on at McAdam, while *2402 had arrived at McAdam runthrough from Montreal on train #40 arriving at 0400 with a five hour layover before taking train #42 "Atlantic Limited" the second eastbound shortly after 0900 to Saint John.

We boarded CP train #39 at 1930 for a 2000 departure-semi-streamlined heavy 4-6-2 *2402 backed in from Bay Shore and coupled onto our train. Soon a CP 2-8-0 3600 or 3700 class yard engine flew past the train shed to couple on the end of our train as a helper or pusher to the Reversing Falls Bridge, a stiff grade out of Saint John Union Station.

Alongside our train was the "Gull" for Boston, and light modern 4-6-2 1256 had just backed in from Bay Shore and coupling to its train. The other railway's train #13 had just pulled in from Moncton with a 4-8-2 6000 class-through cars from Halifax put on at Moncton including the through Pullman Company sleeper Halifax-Boston.

The CP 2-8-0 helper or pusher after pushing our train out, would head back to Union Station and couple onto the Boston train and follow the same proceedure. CPR's train #39 never departed until the CPR's Bay of Fundy Service "Princess Helene" arrived from Digby, Nova Scotia with connecting passengers either to the Montreal or Boston service-includes, express, mail, fish products etc.

Train #40 from Montreal arriving at 0645 also connected to the "Princess Helene" for Nova Scotia. Trains #39 and #40 and the westbound "Gull" connected with CP's Dominion Atlantic passenger trains at Digby (along shipside) with train #95 Halifax-Windsor-Kentville-Digby-Yarmouth, and train #98 eastbound. At 2000 train #39 departed Union Station being assisted by a 2-8-0 on the hind end of the train.

Union Station has two eastbound deadend tracks, four through tracks all under the train shed, and track #7 an outside of station track, also used by CP transfers to reach Island Yard at East Saint John.

Enroute our train arrived 40 miles west at Fredericton Junction-a new modern station. On the passenger track for Fredericton trains was streamlined 4-4-4 Jubilee of *2920 series either * 2926 or *2929 connecting train for Fredericton, which also connected in the evenings with the Edmundston-Aroostook-Woodstock-McAdam-Saint John passenger whcih had just arrived going eastbound with light modern 4-6-2 1255. The train for Fredericton also connected with the westbound Boston "Gull". Next Stop McAdam, N.B., with a power change and additional cars added to westbound #39.

Our train is out of Fredericton Junction enroute to McAdam enjoying the comforts of one of CP's new streamlined ligh-weight 2200 series Deluxe coaches.

Train #39 arrived at McAdam, N.B.(a great railway town) at 2225. A locomotive change-baggageman, conductor and trainmen continue to Brownville Junction, Maine-a mixture of Canadian and International of Maine crew who reside in Brownville Jct. Maine.

On the head-end semi-streamlined heavy 4-6-2 *2402 was taken off (goes eastbound next morning to Saint John on train #40. (84 mile run Saint John-Mc Adam). Headends were put on-express car or cars off North line, and passenger refers with fish products from St. Andrews-a 2-8-0 switcher performed the work.

Semi-streamlined heavy 4-6-2 *2397 coupled on the train (came west out of Saint John at 1700 on train #41 the "Atlantic Limited" as far as McAdam. A 2-8-0 switcher coupled on the back of our train as a helper (pusher) out of McAdam as far as St. Croix on the Maine/New Brunswick border.

While our train stopped at McAdam, observed 2-8-0 yard engines 3492, 3474 and 3637 near the station. A bustling railway centre. A very distinctive station, waiting room, news stand, CP hotel (upstairs) restaurant-coffee shop and a plush dining room. A railway paradise to observe passenger trains (26) on a regular week day, one freight after the other-main line, Mcadam-Woodstock-Aroostook, "The North Line" which also goes into the State of Maine and connects with CP's Aroostook Valley Railroad, and connections to the Bangor and Aroostook. CP line from McAdam via Watts Junction to St. Andrews line and from Watts Jct. to St. Stephen.

4-6-0 D-10 class 1006 was observed arriving off the North line from Aroostook and Woodstock on a freight.

Finally, train #39 was out of McAdam being assisted by a helper of the back end heading for Vanceboro, Maine. At Vanceboro, an eastbound doublehead freight powered by 2-8-2's 5137-5357. Observed Maine Central Alco S-2 yard engine 958 with a CP caboose. Power to take over the westbound "Gull" from CP to Boston was Boston & Maine EMD E-7 of 3800 series.

Back in the late 1940's a Maine Central 4-6-2 of 400 series would handle the "Gull" to Bangor and Portland, where Boston & Maine steam would takeover. The "Gull" was made up of Maine Central, Boston & Maine head-ends and coaches, sleeping cars B&M, CP and Pullman Company.

Two hours later our train arrived at Brownville Jct. Maine. Engine crew change, baggageman, conductor and trainmen. Brownville has a new modern station, A connecting point with Bangor and Aroostook Railroad.

At Brownville an eastbound double-head freight powered by light 4-6-2's 2583-2597. These locomotives with a few other 2500 class only operate in the State of Maine as far east as McAdam, N.B., west to Montreal and south to Vermont lines.

Westbound at Holeb, Maine, had a meet with eastbound freight-semi-streamlined 2-8-2 5420. Later had meet with eastbound passenger #40 from Montreal to Saint John.

Our train #39 was now back on the Canadian side and arrived at Megantic, Quebec-another locomotive crew change and train crew. Observed 2-8-0 yard engine 3560 equipped with a horseshoe tender, semi-streamlined 2-8-2 5434.

At Megantic CP's Quebec Central serves the area coming in from north. At Megantic usually westbound passenger trains #39 and #41 can be found double-heading with a light 4-6-2 of 2200 or 2600 class all the way to Windsor Station, Montreal.

At Lennoxville, 2-8-2 5330 observed, semi-streamlined 2-8-2 5416 (solid plate pilot).

Our train arrived at Sherbrooke-a buffet-parlor car was added, plus adding a helper which coupled onto *2397, being light 4-6-2 2600 to be a double-header to Montreal.

CPR's subsidiary operates freight and passenger through Sherbrooke on the north/south Quebec City-Newport, Vermont route. QCR offer through passenger cars to Boston and at one time to New York. For Boston through cars CPR's "Alouette" day service, and overnight "Red Wing" out of Montreal via Newport add these cars.

A CP Alco S-2 switcher switched our train. Before departing Sherbrooke, a Quebec Central doublehead freight with light 4-6-2's 2610-2578. Quebec Central Transportation buses service both Megantic and Sherbrooke on long-distance routes.

At Magog, Quebec 4-6-0 D-10 class 1067 was observed on freight. Same location eastbound doublehead freight 2-8-2 5394-semi-streamlined 2-8-2 5410 (solid plate pilot). Also spotted gas-electric combination-passenger 9006 for Drummondville. Also observed 4-6-0 489.

At Farnham 4-6-0 419, light modern 4-6-2 1268, yard engines 2-8-0's 3498, 3563, semi-streamlined 2-8-2 5409 (solid plate pilot) semi-streamlined 2-8-2 5417. Observed Montreal-Boston "Alouette" day train powered by E-8 1800. Also at Farnham eastbound Montreal-Sherbrooke passenger powered by E-8 1801.

On board CPR Train #39 Saint John, N.B. to Montreal, now February 9, now west of Farnham nearing St. Jean, Que. and outskirts of Montreal and semi-streamlined heavy 4-6-2 *2397 with a good size train is really rolling (fast running Sherbrooke west to Montreal West.

At Montreal West one can observe everything in passenger trains on CP, main-line, local and commuter service east, west, north and south, including New York Central, Delaware & Hudson, CP trains with joint CP/Boston & Maine passenger equipment & CP/CN pool trains with joint equipment and not to mention CN/CP pool trains like the International Limited, and Maple Leaf with CN power maintained at CP's Glen Yard (Westmount) passenger roundhouse.

After our train #39 arrived at Montreal West, a number of passengers detrained to make connections to Ottawa outbound train, Quebec City, D&H to New York, CP to Boston etc. At Montreal West, nearby CP Sortin Yard is located. West of the station is a new CP overflow coach yard, cars are hauled to and from the main Glen coach yards at Westmount. Nearing Westmount would be our getting off point rather than going right through to Montreal's Windsor Station.

My wife's brother's residence was close by on the southside of the CPR main-passenger line and right close to the coach yards, roundhouse, passenger car servicing centre. All we had to do is walk west down the platform through the coach yards, locomotives sitting outside the roundhouse and hear the activity inside, and the busy passenger car shops.

On the south side of the tracks is in Notre Dame de Grace, and the north side of the tracks is city of Westmount. Passenger trains one after the other during peak train times to and from Windsor Station (our train #39 arrived Westmount around 1010am.

The CP passenger line is 150 feet from the wife's brother's house. Some sound hearing and watching CP steam pulling out of Westmount Station and up a grade westbound towards Montreal West.

Later in the day went over to CP's Glen Yard passenger facilities-"a bastion of beautiful CPR steam" (clean-spotless power)

Locomotives in order inside roundhouse: Streamlined 4-6-4 Royal Hudson's-*2858, *2824, 4-8-4*3100, light 4-6-2 2508, semi-streamlined heavy 4-6-2 *2397, streamlined 4-4-4 Jubilee *3004, light 4-6-2 2537, and 2581, New York Central 4-6-2 4597(dirty), light 4-6-2 2580, Alco RS-2 8400, semi-streamlined heavy 4-6-2's *2461, 2408, Delaware & Hudson 4-8-4 308, light modern 4-6-2 1268, modern light 4-6-2 1253, EMD E-8 1800, semi-streamlined heavy 4-6-2 *2400, streamlined 4-6-4 Royal Hudson *2859.

Later at Westmount Station:
Westbound double-head passenger: Light 4-6-2 2527-light modern 4-6-2 1261, light modern 4-6-2 on passenger 1267, Delaware & Hudson Alco RS-3 4008 "The Laurentian" day train from New York, Streamlined 4-6-4 Royal Hudson's *2828, *2821, semi-streamlined heavy 4-6-2 *2472, light modern 4-6-2 1201, 4-6-4 Hudson *2812 (smoke deflecters) like 4-8-4 *3100 (inside roundhouse), Boston & Maine EMD E-7 3801.

After a few days in Montreal area went to CPR's Windsor Station to board CP/CN "International Limited" for Cornwall, Ontario. This train is a CP/CN pool train as far as Toronto, from there a CN/GTW train continuing to Chicago. Between Montreal and Toronto a mixture of CP/CN passenger equipment. Baggage car or more are always CP, either a heavy-weight arch roof equipped with commonwealth trucks, normally a 4400 class, or streamlined light-weight series. Coaches and parlor cars or buffet-parlor cars a mixture from both roads. Dining car of the other railway.

This particular day, a CN 4-8-4 6200 series was on the power end. Alongside our train was CP train #40 for Saint John, N.B. powered by a semi-streamlined heavy 4-6-2 of *2390 series or *2400 series in tuscan red-grey-black-gold paint scheme. The CP power would run to McAdam, N.B. with a power change of the same class McAdam to Saint John.

Our train was now out of Windsor Station, with a stop at Westmount and Montreal West, and past CP Sortin Yard. At Dorval our train cut off the CPR line onto CN to Cornwall. Cornwall is a branch line on the CP.

Power seen at CP engine terminal, and nearby freight shed-4-6-0's 1110, 890, 1096, and 1089, this locomotive originally on CP's Dominion Atlantic in Nova Scotia (relettered CP). This was the CP power seen for the few days in Cornwall.

Going back to the outskirts of Montreal near Dorval observed two CP freights enroute to Cote St. Luc hump yard heavy semi-streamlined 4-6-2 2404, and another freight a sister locomotive 2414.

After a few days, boarded New York Central passenger Cornwall to Ottawa, this train came from Malone, N.Y., and powered by a high-wheel stirdy 4-6-0 and steel passenger cars of the early 1920's.

At Finch, Ont. where NYC crosses over the CP main-Montreal-Toronto line observed eastbound Perth-Smiths Falls-Montreal "Perth Local" enroute to Montreal powered by light modern 4-6-2 1201.

Our train pulled into New York Central's Ottawa station, observed NYC GP-7. We transferred to Ottawa Union Station, and boarded a CP eastbound Trans-Continental back to Montreal, getting off at Westmount. Our CP train was powered by 4-6-4 "Royal Hudson" 2820 and 18 cars.

A few days later, from Windsor Station we boarded eastbound train #42 "Atlantic Limited" for Saint John, N.B. powered by semi-streamlined heavy 4-6-2 *2453 which would run to McAdam, N.B. and a power change and proceeding to Saint John.

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©2000, Donald Scott, all rights reserved.