Began career in 1910

Mr. Y. B. Tracy retires from railway service

Mr. Y. B. Tracy, until last year station for the Canadian National Railways here for thirty three consecutive years has finished duty at the local office subject to the Company's superannuation plan.

Mr. Tracy entered service with the railway in June 1910, and after being employed in station service at several points was appointed agent here in March 1914. Enlisting for military service in 1915 he served overseas with the Canadian Garrison Artillery, and on discharge in 1919 resumed duties here.

Has seen many changes

Interviewed by The Liberal he outlined system changes with the railway over his period of service. In 1910 the Canadian Northern Ontario Ry. was confined to a line from Toronto northward to Gowganda Junction in the Sudbury area. The following year an extension Toronto to Ottawa was completed to link up with the Canadian Northern Québec portion. Soon after a western extension was completed to Port Arthur to join with the parent system which had served the prairie Provinces for several years previously. An extension from Edmonton to the Pacific Coast was also put into operation about that time, thus completing a transcontinental line. In 1923 this line, together with the Grand Trunk Railway and the National Transcontinenta Ry. was amalgamated to form the present Canadian National System. With reference to local history he states that on the opening of the line in 19161906 the event was hailed with much satisfaction by the community., a previously the nearest steam railway station was Maple. Soon after, a track connection was established with the electric line, the Toronto and York Radial operating from Toronto to Sutton. The interchange of carload traffic to and from this line was considerable and steadily carried on until the discontinuance of the T. & Y.R. north of Richmond Hill in the late twenties. With the location of three greenhouse plants 1911 to 1913 and additional in 1920 business in the way of express, freight and telegraph was increased. During the past five years with the entrance of additional industries in this vicinity increased demands for service presented itself with the result that enlarged office facilities and additional space for express traffic has been made necessary.

Presentation

In recognition of Mr. Tracy's many years of faithful service to the railway and this community his fellow employees and friends on Monday presented him with a lovely easy chair.

Before a gathering of close friends Councillor W. Middleton made the presentation speech while C.P.R.C.N.R. agent Mr. V. D. Gambrill made the actual presentation. In echoing the sentiments of those present Councillor Middleton who has known Mr. Tracy since 1919 wished him many years of continuing good health and a happy retirement. In a few well chosen words Mr. Tracy thanked everyone for their kind gesture.

Railways: C.N.Rys.

Stations: Richmond Hill

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