" More Rule G "

Back in 1957 or 1958
on New Years eve I got a call from Mimico asking me to work overtime there as a Bill and Train Clerk, which I said I would.

I get there only to find there would only be three of us working that night Allan B. who had just been laid off as a Brakeman on the main line Dave "Porky" R. and myself, and on getting there it is quite evident that Porky, is three sheets to the wind.

Porky asks me If I can list, to which I answer in the affirmative, then hands me a train, at which the GYM, General Yardmaster Bill G. comes over and asks me if I know what I am doing, to which I say I consider that insulting, because I had worked with Bill G when he was a yardmaster at Bathurst St. and if he didn't trust me I could go home right now, at which Porky pipes in yeh, why don't you fuck off, we know what we are doing, I'm thinking Jesus Christ Porky your tempting fate, anyway Bill does leave, and everything goes along swimmingly that night.

Allan

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" The Grape Job"

The Grape Job was an interesting job it seemed, and could lead to, unintended repercussions.

Each Fall usually from mid September to mid October we would begin getting a great number of rail cars of grapes coming in, and when I say a great number that would be up to 1400 rail cars of grapes mostly going to St. Clair Ave Team Track.

As the importing companies sold most of these grapes right out of the car, when a car was emptied it would have to be switched out of the way, and a new load, which would be held elsewhere brought in so the company could be selling out of the car on the spot continuously.

Because of, and to insure prompt and timely switching the Company's would at times give the crew each a bottle of wine to take home for their supper, but the trouble was, the crews would some times have the wine with their lunch, and by the time they had to cut out, when they got back to the office, they were none the worse for wear.

The foreman on this job one time was Frank B. who could outswitch most other foremen, but was an awful sot, and was warned on many occasions, to leave the suds never mind wine, alone.

Well the crew was met at Parkdale one time by the Trainmaster Bill G. and the entire crew, I believe Frank B, Homer T. and Art M., was pulled out of service, I don't know if they ever got back.

Everyone was a little sorry for them but they did tempt fate.

Allan