He's A Mixed-Up Kid On New Train Numbers, Published 25 October 1957 President
N. R. Crump is scuttling the Canadian Pacific right from under my feet.
I would not mind Prime Minister Diefenbaker suspending Habeas Corpus,
nor would I get upset if the Liberal party put up a statue to Georje
Drew. But when Norris Crump, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway,
changes the train numbers, my little world evaporates.For years I have casually told Gerry Dewan I was going to Montreal on 502. I have often asked Herman Grierson for a room on No. 33. Station Master Sam Bertrand understands me perfectly when I enquire how No. 8 is doing. But what's got into this British Columbia-bom, Hoosier-educated president of the thin red line when he converts Montreal train 504 into 234, the Chalk River's 551 to 267, and the beloved afternoon flier to Toronto from 559 to 263! In aome reckless streak, he has ordained that the Maniwaki numerals change from fives to twos, hence Maniwaki's Sunday night 538 is now 236; Waltham's (The Pontiac) 543 is now, heaven knows why, 643. So passes my world. Once upon a time, I could walk into Moose Jaw and confidently ask the official if 315 from Weyburn is on time. I was equally at home in Winnipeg enquiring about 56 from Cypress River. But what becomes of me in this mad new world where Sputnik rides the sky and Buck Crump scrambles my trains! |