Village Squire, 1978-02, Page 35Jamaica offers many pleasures.
daily religious service on the rails. With a
captive audience. Preacher McKenzie
leads in prayer and song as the train
lurches up and down the mountain grades,
clickety clacking toward the top of the
world.
At Maggotty, the old stagers point out
huge lemon trees growing wild beside the
track; the women scrubbing the family
wash on the banks of the Black River. A
cheerful local historian recalls a rail
tradegy of several years ago when an
excursion train was derailed at this very
spot.
"And them all having such a gay time
too," she sighs righteously, while the
travelling preacher exhorts his swaying
flocks to repent before time and the train
schedule run out.
In the neighborhood of Appleton, the
delicious scent of rum overpowers the
oranges as the train slows down at
sweet-smelling Appleton Station with its
rail -side distillery. Everyone feels cheerier
at once; appetites perk up and lunch boxes
open to the delights of fried chicken and
salmon sandwiches.
Greendale Station marks the summit,
1,705 feet above sea level, where the train
pauses for breath before beginning its
roaring descent on Kingston.
"Kingston, Kingston Station. End of the
line."
Everyone struggles awake, pleased and
a bit surprised to discover we've actually
arrived. And wasn't it fun, we tell each
other. lurching for the sun -baked platform
outside. We believe it, too.
"Wouldn't have missed it for the
world," one satisfied customer tells
anyone who'll listen. "Sure is an exciting
way to see Jamaica."
For over forty years
Welcome Wagon hostesses
have been making calls
on newcomers - whether they
be within our own nation or
in a foreign country.
If you are a newcomer,
know of one, or are a businessman
desiring representation
in the newcomer's home, call
your local representative listed below
for WELCOME WAGON LIMITED.
WINGHAM 357-3349
EXETER 235-2870
MITCHELL 348-8925
GODERICH 524-6654
STRATFORD 271-5856
- VILLAGE SQUIRE/FEBRUARY 1978, 33.