Louis Bignucolo retired as CPR engineer after 42 years of 'railroading' at Chapleau

Louis Bignucolo who arrived in Canada from Italy  worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway for 42 years before retiring in 1960. 

At a party where he was honoured, Walter Steed, another pioneer citizen, commented that "Railroading was a hard job in my day," adding that Mr. Bignucolo was among "survival of the fittest."

Starting as a fireman he worked his way up to engineer.

But Mr. Bignucolo was not always a railroader after arriving in Chapleau. Mr. Steed noted that prior to joining the CPR, Mr. Bignucolo had been a contraactor, and had participated in the building of the horseshoe bridge.

Another article about Mr. Bignucolo in the Sudbury Star says he was involved in the building of the power dam for the Chapleau Electric Light and Power Company.

He worked with his brother Joseph who went on to become a major contractor in Chapleau responsible for the construction of a great number of buildings including businesses and houses but that is a story for another day.

Upon arriving in Canada from Italy  Mr. Bignucolo worked for a short time at the International Nickel Company in Sudbury.

The Sudbury Star reported that when Mr. Bignucolo stepped off Train Number 7 in August 1960, he was greeted by a large welcoming party including family, friends and CPR officials that included Assistant Superintendent Elmer Fisher, Master Mechanic George Machen, Roadmaster William Madigan and Chapleau native Alcide Small, representing the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Mr. Small later became Superintendent of the Schreiber Division.

A highlight of Mr. Bignucolo's railroad career was being selected as a crew member for the Royal Train carrying King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on their Royal Tour, from Chapleau to White River, in May 1939. Robert Carmichael was the engineer.

Mr. Bignucolo and his wife held a retirement party at their Lansdowne Street home. A bit later Mr. Bignucolo was honoured at a party held by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers where Mr. Steed spoke. L.A. 'Les' McMillan was the master of ceremonies on this occasion.

At this party, Mr. Fisher, the assistant superintendent, commented that Chapleau had a "great bunch of railroaders" among them Mr. Bignucolo and many others.

I have been browsing through railroad stories compiled by the late Doug Greig, and am fascinated by them. They bring back memories from my own childhood, and my grandfather Harry Morris, who retired as conductor in 1952, a contemporary of Mr. Bignucolo and others who started "railroading" in Chapleau during the early years of the 20th Century.

In his retirement Mr. Bignucolo planned to fish, hunt, garden  .. and yes, even travel. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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