Trains of Recollection Drawn from Fifty Years of Railway Service in Scotland and Canada, and told to Arthur Hawkes

"Trains of Recollection" by D. B. Hanna is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The work draws on Hanna's personal experiences over fifty years of railway service in Scotland and Canada, sharing insights into the development of Canada's railway system. The author offers a unique perspective on the transformations he witnessed, touching on themes of immigration, railway management, and the interplay between personal and national progress. At the start of the narrative, Hanna reflects on the normalcy of his railway career and the substantial changes he has observed throughout his service. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of railway construction and operation, beginning from his early days in Scotland to his eventual role in Canada. Through anecdotes and personal memories, he sets the stage for recounting the evolution of the railway industry, highlighting key figures and events that shaped the landscape of Canadian transportation, and expressing a deep appreciation for the role railways played in national development. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

David Blyth Hanna was a railway executive with the Canadian Northern Railway and the Canadian National Railways. Born in Thornliebank, Scotland, he emigrated to Canada in 1882 where he was employed by the Grand Trunk Railway. In 1896 he joined William Mackenzie and Donald Mann who organized the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) in Western Canada.