Cost is CDN $29.95 plus Shipping & Handling.
Train wrecks, meteorites, Morse Code, railroading, trucking, seashells, lost children, rabbits, car washes, moonshine and tobacco farms.
Raised in the Halliburton highlands, lifelong Eastern Ontario resident Bill Robertson is releasing Just Plain Bill, an exciting memoir that covers his growing up during the Great Depression, his life-long career with Canadian Pacific Rail, and his varied side businesses. During the turmoil of World War II Bill left grade 7 to deliver telegraphs for CP in Lindsay. He learned Morse Code, became a telegrapher, advanced to being a train operator, and ultimately an Agent. His postings included Sharbot Lake, Kingston, Peterborough, Lindsay, and Medonte. When he retired he was a Customer Service Supervisor based in Cobourg. He now lives in Godfrey, Ontario, enjoying his pontoon boat and the company of his grandchildren and friends.
Just Plain Bill is a 163 page story of friends, hobos, family, railroad
tales, and money-making schemes
Here is an excerpt from Just Plain Bill:
" As I stood in the bank of deep snow on the edge of the railway track, I became aware of the biting snow and wind tearing at my face. My wet feet and ankles were numb. I climbed out of the snow and stepped back onto the railway track. The red glow of the coal oil lantern cast ominous shadows around me, accenting the blowing snow. Gazing into the night, I slowly raised my left arm to shield my eyes from the snow. I watched, disheartened, the red marker lights on the rear end of the train slowly slide out of sight and into the raging storm. The cold now seemed to be fitting punishment for what was about to happen.
It appeared that my short railway career was about to come to a terrible end
. . . . "
Update: Bill has written another book titled The Medonte Incident. This is a short story, only 36 pages. It is a dramatization taken from chapter 19 of Just Plain Bill. The intent is to try to explain why the Canadian National freight train ran through the red signal light in the face of the oncoming passenger train on that winter night. Bill has researched this with many train crews and found the reason.
Both books may be purchased by post or email from:
,
422-13 Island Lake Ln,
RR#2 Godfrey, ON
K0H 1T0
Phone: 613-374-2146.
Just Plain Bill is CDN $29.95 plus shipping & handling.
The Medonte Incident is CDN $10.00 plus shipping & handling.