Iron Bridge [English]

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The thought of crossing Shigawake’s rail bridge on foot was not a pleasant one for many; there was no railing and you could see all the way down between the sleepers, and it was quite a considerable height. There was a time when “shovellers” cleared the tracks of snow by hand after big winter storms, crossing the bridge to reach New Carlisle where they were expected for work. This route was faster than going down to the village, and was accompanied by practical jokes from the bravest among them, imitating the whistle of the train to scare their friends. Jeffrey Vautier’s grandfather¹ taught him his tip: he would hold his shovel out in front of him and stare at the handle to help guide his feet in the right direction. 

Having a local train helped develop a Christmas tree trade, with trees sold in big cities, such as New York, and even as far away as Caracas in Venezuela.²

DÉCOUVRIR > tous les lieux-dits de cette ville

AUDIO

Interview with Lois Hayes, April 9, 2025.

“My father sold Christmas trees.”

Seasonal life in the past.

Berry picking along the railway line.

The mail arrived by train.

Interview with Jeffrey Vautier, May 13, 2025.

The shovellers.

NOTES

¹ Jeffrey Vautier, story collected by the artist, May 13, 2025.

² Ibid.

IMAGES

1. to 9. Marie-Claude De Souza, 2025