C.N.R.Stanon ouse, reetown.

The mainland rail lines were standard gauge at 56 inches (inside measurement). Thus a transfer from narrow

to standard gauge cars was necessary for all materials leaving the province (and vice versa for items coming into the Province).

Gangs of men, including German prisoners from World War I, were required to strengthen the rail bed and add a third rail, making it possible to transport both standard and narrow gauge cars. A large amount ofwork was also required to convert the various siding yards and rail stations to standard gauge. According to Lorne Driscoll Senior, of Summerside, the German prisoners were lodged at the former curling rink in Summerside, causing a great deal of discomfort for the local residents. The first standard gauge train ran from Borden to Charlottetown and Summerside, 19 Sept., 1919. From 1919 to 1923 it was not uncommon to see a standard gauge engine hauling through Freetown, standard and narrow gauge cars in the same procession. The narrow gauge cars were placed to the rear of the train coupled to the standard gauge cars by a flat car. This was an oddity which attracted the attention of Islanders and tourists alike.

The Prince Edward Island Railroad was entrusted to the new Crown Corporation; Canadian National Railroad, on 20 January, 1923.

At this time, there were few refrigerator cars, and farmers used the regular freight cars to ship their produce as long as possible each fall.

After World War II the steam engines were gradually replaced by diesel electric and by 1950 the conversion was complete. Wooden passenger cars were also replaced by those of steel construction.

The Freetown railroad station was located at the line between code 72 and 73 on the map. It was erected around 1890 and was operated by a station master or agent. The agent sold passenger tickets, booked shipments into and out of the community, received and sent telegraph messages. The station house was a gathering place for local residents and was the scene of many happy smiles and tearful parting moments.

In 1900 the RBI. Railroad built a house at location code 40 to accommodate the station agent, Michael P. Driscoll. This house was occupied by station agents and other families up to 1967. A number of Freetown residents were employed on the railroad in various capacities. Some of these were: Mark Clow, section foreman (1900), Michael McCourt section foreman; Allan Clow, and others. Section assistants were: Adolphus MacKinnon, section foreman; Aloysuis Croken and Jarvis Trainor. The section foreman and his crew were responsible for maintenance of a section of railroad. They reported to the local station house and had to keep the fire burning, clean the building, and keep the outdoor toilet in working order. The section crew was probably responsible for filling the water tank located at the crossing of the railroad over the North Brook. This crossing was a bridge which became known as the “Black Bridge”. The steam locomotives would occasionally stop to take on water from the Black Bridge tank.

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