Written by Robert Starritt Fulton to mark the opening
of the Bass River and Castlereagh (Nova Scotia) pole railway, June 1895.
(Transcribed from a handwritten copy that may differ
slightly from the original.)
It was eighteen and
ninety-five,
The twenty-eight of
June,
The Fossil Flour
Railway,
Was opened that
afternoon.
This road is built
with poles for rails
And cross-ties on the
ground
Depressions leveled
up with blocks,
And every stick is
round.
The steamer is a
four-wheeled car,
Made heavy grades to
scale,
Her wheels are made
with double flange
To clasp the rustic
rail.
She logs along with
her four cars,
Two front and two
behind.
The engine’s and the
car wheels
Are all of the same
kind.
Those cars were
fitted up with seats
Upon that opening
day,
And the people sat
with comfort
As they sped along
the way.
About eight o’clock
we left “Saints Rest,”
The morning being
fine,
At Christie’s Camp on
mountain top
We did intend to
dine.
Manager Collins and
his staff
Were all on board
that day,
And Mrs. Wiggins who
keeps house
At the lake in
Castlereagh.
We had clergymen and
editors,
And doctors two or
three,
W. D. Dimmock was on
board,
Our jolly M.P.P.
There were ninety
gents with ladies
Together with the
band;
As we steamed up
through the forest
The music sounded
grand.
“All on board” at
Vance’s Crossing,
The steamer on did
steam,
And soon the valley
stations
Were left away abeam.
Our engine scaled the
mountainside,
And climbed the
steepest grade,
And shortly after
twelve o’clock
Our destination made.
We landed on the
platform,
In front of
Christie’s stand,
And in that camp we
all took lunch,
Where everything was
grand.
We lunched and talked
an hour away,
Then while the band
did play
We all had our photos
taken,
For the third time
that day.
Then we gave three
cheers for Collins,
And three for his
helpers all,
And three for
Christie and his camp,
As loud as we could
bawl.
And when we got
aboard the train,
Our spirits were not
low,
And we steamed back
for “Saint’s Rest,”
As fast as we could
go.
We rattled down the
mountainside
And down the valley
gliding,
Until the train
brought up “long side”
The Grand Mayflower
Siding.
Some went to the
Mayflower Park
And some went to the
shore,
And back to “Vance’s
Crossing” came,
When the day’s
program was o’er.
Now success to D. A.
Collins,
As business onwards
rolls,
And long may
McPherson’s engine
Run up and down the
poles.