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| Photo from The Canadian Encyclopedia |
For some of us, our love for trains brings about images of traveling across the country with views of beautiful mountain ranges and waterways. No worries, no cooking, and an adventure in sleeping. For others, rather than a fondness, its more a matter of convenience, a way to get to work or maybe the airport.
As I’ve continued research both online and with family interviews, for a memoir I’m writing about my Grandfather Joseph Landry’s family, it appears that not only did his father, my Great Grandfather Michael Landry work at the Willow Park Yard, but there’s a possibility, his brother Daniel Landry did as well. What follows is a condensed version of what I’ve discovered about the railway.
In 1917, Halifax, Nova Scotia had a couple of railway systems, electric and steam powered. Electric trams made it easy for people to get around the city. The steam powered locomotives allowed individuals to travel and businesses to send and receive goods from places like Truro, Moncton, Montreal, and the United States. Different companies made up the railways in Halifax – these include but aren’t limited to: Intercolonial Railway, Canadian Government Railway, Rhodes and Curry Ltd., Nova Scotia Electric Tramways and Power Company*, and a Telegraph System that kept communications going between inbound and outbound trains.
A variety of passenger cars and freight cars dotted the landscape. During WWI there were three railway yards in the North end of Halifax – Willow Park, Fairview, and Richmond that would not only, keep the trains in working order, but were responsible for cleaning and restocking passenger cars between trips. The people working for the railways took pride, not only in transporting the troops as comfortable as possible, but in making sure they were well fed. Railway cars were adapted to meet the needs of the thousands of troops they transported. For example, dining cars were adapted to seat 70 at a time and separate cars were used to do the cooking. Extra staff was required. Special hospital cars with a red cross on them were used to transport the wounded. Railway staff were commissioned to help overseas as well.**
On December 6, 1917, two ships collided in the harbor, one a munitions ship – the Mont Blanc and the other a Belgium Relief ship – the Imo. The result – the Mont Blanc caught fire, drifted into Pier 6, then exploded, leveling both the Northern section of Halifax and causing great destruction to sections of Dartmouth, across the harbor. Immediately after the explosion, military and civilians came together to help with the rescue. The railways experience with adaptability came in handy.
The Railway's telegraph systems operators were able to send out messages about the explosion and its aftermath. This alerted cities and towns from Truro to Montreal about the destruction, the thousands wounded, and how the city was on fire. Aid came quickly from throughout the province, then expanding, coming from other provinces like New Brunswick and Quebec. By later that first day, a train arrived with Nurses, Doctors, medical supplies, as well as, cars loaded with fire fighting vehicles and equipment. While the first relief train was headed into the city, another train was headed out, transporting some of the wounded to Truro. More relief trains would follow providing much needed building supplies, clothes, and more items as needs became apparent.
The communities of Halifax and Dartmouth would recover thanks to the generously of others and the transportation services provided by the railway and its workers.
