Parcours professionnel

M&SCR M & S C Railway M&SC R

Léon était Contrôleur, à temps plein, pour Montréal & Southern Counties Railway (secteur d'activité: transport),à Montréal.

• Notes sur la profession

  Contrôleur sur les trains du CN, pour vérifier les billets (tickets) des passagers.
  Il était si gros qu'il devait se placer de côté pour passer d'un wagon à l'autre.
  
  The operation of the Montreal & Southern Counties Railway spans a respectable 47 years, from November 1, 1909 to October 14, 1956. A few other similar operations didn't last a quarter of that time. Built by the Grand Trunk Railway, the M.&S.C. came under Canadian National Railways control with the absorbtion of the Grand Trunks Canadian lines.
  
  The M.&S.C. consisted of two divisions. The Interurban Division extended from McGill Street Terminal, in downtown Montreal, through Marieville to Granby, just over 47 miles distance. There was also a 3.49 mile branch line from Marieville to Ste. Angele. The Suburban Division was a local line that ran in St. Lambert from East End to Montreal South. Freight service was provided between the C.N.R. Southwark yard (later known as M&SC Junction), just east of St. Lambert, and Granby only.
  
  Construction of the M.&S.C. began in 1906, with completed sections being opened for regular passenger service as follows: Between Montreal and St. Lambert commencing on November 1, 1909; extending to Longueil on May 30, 1910; Mackayville on November 1, 1912; Richelieu on June 28, 1913; Marieville on September 28, 1913; St. Cesaire on May 3, 1914 and finally Granby on April 30, 1916.
  
  The M.&S.C. operated on 600 volts DC since they operated over a portion of city trackage used by Montreal streetcars. All regular trains originated at the McGill Street Terminal and from there proceeded to and across the Victoria Bridge where the two divisions separated. Standard gauge (4 foot 8-1/2 ins.) trackage was used over the entire system.
  
  The Montreal & Southern Counties, the Niagara, St. Catharines & Toronto and the Oshawa Railway all had an interesting and varied assortment of equipment. The reason for this was because much of their equipment was acquired second hand, and because equipment was transferred between the three lines as requirements changed.
  
  In 1938, four ex Windsor, Essex & Lake Shore high-speed cars were obtained by the M.&S.C. Three of these cars were transferred to the N.S.&T. in 1955. During the winter of 1946-47, six Niagara, St. Catharines & Toronto cars of the 320 series were transferred to the M.&S.C.
  
  The peak year for the M.&S.C. was 1947 after which traffic began to decline, no doubt due to new and better roads, bus competition and more people owning their own automobiles. On November 25, 1951, increasing losses saw electric operations cut back to Marieville. At the same time, C.N.R. diesel hauled passenger trains were introduced between Montreal's Central Station and Granby. Canadian-Locomotive Company F-M H12-44 diesels of the 7600 series (later renumbered into the 1600 series) became the main motive power for the Granby trains. This service continued until 1960.
  
  M.&S.C. service on the Interurban Division was discontinued on October 13, 1956 and on the Suburban Division the following day. The C.N.R. continued to provide freight service, using diesel locomotives, between the former M.&S.C. Junction and Granby.