The Buffalo and Lake Huron Railway

The Buffalo and Lake Huron railway, incorporated in 1856, ran 160 miles from Goderich to Fort Erie. In 1870, the Grand Trunk Railway took over the B. and  L.H.

(Source: The Handbook and Catalogue of Canadian Transportation Postmarks by T.P.G. Shaw)



The cover shown in this post features a B. and  L.H. R. transit handstamp.


Kinkora to Dublin, November 22, 1862
6d. (12 1/2 cents) rate to Ireland via Canadian Ocean Steamer





Buffalo and  Lake Huron Railway transit handstamp
"East November 24"

Canadian Troops Return Home



When the war in Europe ended in May 1945, Canadian troops came home. Most were back in Canada by early 1946. The Canadian National Exhibition grounds, which had become Toronto's main training grounds during the war, served as a post-war demobilization centre.

 The return of Sergeant Major Ernest Squire to Canada is the subject of this post.


Troopship RMS Queen Elizabeth to New York


RMS Queen Elizabeth in New York

Ernest Squire sailed from England to New York on troopship RMS Queen Elizabeth . On December 7, 1945, Squire sent a telegram to his family advising them of his arrival in New York:

"ARRIVED ON QUEEN ELIZABETH LEAVING ON SPECIAL TRAIN TODAY"




Telegram mailed from Toronto, December 7, 1945


Train From New York to Toronto, CNE Grounds

Sergeant Squire's family had been sent a post card on December 5, 1945, announcing the anticipated arrival of Sergeant Squire from the Queen Elizabeth on train number 307 at Toronto. The arrival date was not provided but the definite time of arrival of the train at the CNE grounds would be announced on Toronto radio stations. The reception was to take place at the Pure Food Building, Exhibition Grounds.


The card admitted the holder and party to the reception.


Toronto, December 5, 1945

YMCA Centennial
1844 - 1944

The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) is a worldwide organization founded by George Williams on June 6, 1844 in London, England. This post shows souvenir covers created in 1944 to celebrate the YMCA's centennial.

Montreal

In 1851, the first YMCA in North America was established in Montreal.


Montreal, June 6, 1944


Location of first YMCA
in Montreal


Boston

Soon after the Montreal YMCA was opened, the first YMCA in the United States was established in Boston in 1851.


Boston, June 6, 1944

The Flying Scotsman:
U.S and Canada Tour (1969 - 1970)
and 50th Anniversary (1973)




From 1969 to 1972, Flying Scotsman, one of the most famous steam locomotives in the world, toured the United States and Canada. This post shows souvenir covers of the tour as well as other covers highlighting events in the locomotive's history.

[This is a much expanded version of an earlier post]

History of Flying Scotsman

The Flying Scotsman locomotive was built by the London North Eastern Railway at Doncaster works (Yorkshire) in 1923 and became famous by setting several records. In 1928, she hauled the first non-stop train from London to Edinburgh, the longest non-stop run in the world at that time. In 1934 the Flying Scotsman reached a speed of 100 mph on a trip between Leeds and London.

Flying Scotsman continued to be in service until 1963 when she was bought from British Railways by Mr. A. E. Pegler, a private investor who restored her. From 1969 to 1970, the locomotive toured the United States and Canada. The locomotive was sold in 1973 and continued to run for many years.


1969 London North Eastern Railway Society Summer Tour


August 31, 1969, York
Carried aboard Flying Scotsman, London to York cachet



United States and Canada Tour (1969- 1970)

The Flying Scotsman was shipped to North America from Liverpool on September 19, 1969 and toured the United States and Canada until October 1970. The Flying Scotsman remained in storage in North America until her return to Liverpool on February 13, 1973.


Departure Liverpool





Liverpool, September 19, 1969

Phase I : U.S. 1969

Tour Opening : Boston





Boston. October 13, 1969


Hartford





Hartford, October 13, 1969


New York


October 17, 1969


Philadelphia





Philadelphia, October 21, 1969


Baltimore




Baltimore, October 24, 1969


Washington





Washington, October 27, 1969


Atlanta




Atlanta, October 31, 1969


Atlanta to Dallas


Alabama






Dallas


Dallas, November 7, 1969


Fort Worth





Fort Worth, November 9, 1969


Houston, Tour Closing





Houston, November 14, 1969


Phase II : U.S. and Canada 1970

Slaton, Texas to Green Bay Wisconsin (June-July 1970)

Oklahoma





Kansas






Illinois






Wisconsin





Green Bay


Green Bay Wisconsin, July 26, 1970






August 13, 1970



1970 Canada Tour

Itinerary




Toronto


Toronto, September 3, 1970


Canadian National Exhibition post office handstamp




Ottawa


Ottawa, September 10, 1970


Montreal


September 27, 1970


Niagara Falls


Niagara Falls, October 3, 1970


BRITISH STEAM LOCOMOTIVE
'FLYING SCOTSMAN' VISIT TO
NIAGARA FALLS OCTOBER 1970



Niagara Falls, N.Y., cancellation,


North American Storage : October 1970 - February 1973

The Flying Scotsman remained in North America until February 1973 due to financial difficulties.
She returned to England aboard the "California Star" which docked at Liverpool on February 13, 1973, in time to participate in 50th anniversary celebrations.


Return to Liverpool 1973



Liverpool, February, 12, 1973


50th Anniversary : May 1973


Doncaster, May 2, 1973


50th anniversary souvenir cancellation










1988 to the Present Day

In October 1988 the locomotive arrived in Australia to take part in that country's bicentenary celebrations. During its 18 month stay in Australia, Flying Scotsman travelled more than 45,000 miles. On August 8 1989, Flying Scotsman set another record, travelling 442 miles non-stop, the longest such run by a steam locomotive ever recorded.

In 2004, the National Railway Museum (NRM) purchased Flying Scotsman, and is carrying out a full overhaul of the locomotive.