The station 39 Fodhla Station , like others around the country, was the scene of departures and arrivals of a good cross section of persons from the surrounding area. While travellers to and from the city made up the bulk of passengers, there was no small movement of people to distant centres like Montreal, Boston and other areas of Canada and the U.S . in search of work, as well as annual vacationers to and from those parts. During both wars many locals departed this station for Canadian and overseas military postings. Most of these were spared to experience a happy homecoming at the same station. A number of travellers from the Belfast region often left their horses in our stable during their day in town and in that way we came to know many of our Scottish neighbors. In its heyday the station was a gathering place of great note. Because of its own circumstance, the morning crowd was some¬ what subdued, except for the occasional last-minute dash of some johnny come lately. In the evening the place became more alive when many would come to pick up arrivals or just to meet the train and see the sights. There was always a sprig of curiosity, of course, as to who was departing the train, what he or she might be carrying and who, if any, were somewhat under the weather. The fact that the train was habitually late was by no means cause for alarm, but instead often added spice to the moment. Most evenings there would be small freight to unload, rolled out on a one-man trolley along a portable platform at¬ tached to train and freight shed. On rare occasions caskets were put off here containing the remains of those who died in city institutions or off Island. Some were destined for Belfast while others were taken to St . Michael's for burial either that evening or next morning. Without doubt, the most interesting baggage of all was the daily mail which was taken immediately to the local post office for sorting and delivery the same night. The evening's great finale came when the conductor signalled the driver and the great steam engine began huffing and puffing its heavy load away from the station, up the grade through Dreelan's cutting to disappear into the night on its slow journey toward the Harbour.