Picture St. Marys

G.T.R. Freight Train, 1899

Description
Creator
Milton Reesor, Photographer
Media Type
Image
Item Type
Photographs
Description
This photo features a freight train in St. Marys in 1899. Steam locomotives at this time were light in weight and were only capable of traveling at around 20km/h. As a result, their pulling power was limited. This style of locomotive was commonly referred to as an American locomotive due to its popularity in the United States.

Numerous wooden freight cars are visible at the back of the train. The cars are 10 to 12 meters in length and feature end ladders, roof-top break wheels and roof walks. Note the flat car to the left of the train, it is loaded with cut quarry stone, likely on its way to a construction site.

Local resident Milton Reesor was the photographer responsible for this photo. This particular train traveled between St. Marys and London, Ontario. Reesor referred to this specific train as the "Cannon-Ball"; however it was not a term applied by the Grand Trunk Railway. It was possibly in reference to a late 19th century folk song about a fictitious fast passenger train; the song was titled "The Wabash Cannonball".
Notes
Condition: Good - Image is fairly clear. Moderate discolouration of photo. Fading and a "foggy" appearance around the outer edges. Album matte is in very good condition.
Inscriptions
The "Cannon-Ball", 12 Miles an Hour.
Date of Original
1899
Dimensions
Width: 17.3 cm
Height: 11.3 cm
Image Dimensions
Image Width: 10cm
Image Height: 7.5cm
Subject(s)
Local identifier
reesor040
Collection
St. Marys Museum Photo Collection
Language of Item
English
Geographic Coverage
  • Ontario, Canada
    Latitude: 43.25009 Longitude: -81.13304
Donor
Dan O'Toole
Copyright Statement
Copyright status unknown. Responsibility for determining the copyright status and any use rests exclusively with the user.
Recommended Citation
"G.T.R. Freight Train, 1899", St. Marys Museum, reesor040.
Location of Original
R. Lorne Eedy Archives
Terms of Use
Reproduction of digital objects is restricted to fair use for personal research or study; any other use must be done with permission of copyright holder.
Reproduction Notes
This image is a watermarked low resolution reproduction. High resolution images are available at the St. Marys Museum for a fee.
Contact
St. Marys Museum
Email:museum@town.stmarys.on.ca
Website:
Agency street/mail address:

177 Church Street South,

P.O. Box 998,

St. Marys, Ontario.

N4X 1B6

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