NOW AND THEN part 2

Transportation has undergone massive change. The Trans Canada did not go from coast to coast . A trip to Alberta meant a trip through the U.S. Access to BC was limited . Highways in general were fewer Driving long distances was not common.  The trains went from coast to coast  A promise made by Sir John Macdonald  to create a railway across Canada was fulfilled  .  Canada was not settled by wagon train. Much was settled by train.  Airplanes no longer make  a lot of stops and are able to fly from city to city without stopping to refuel.there was no de-icing , No massive machines to clean runways. Radar was not as refined There were many more cancelled flights than there are today.  In the mid 50's a trip to Saskatoon would have included at least one stop in Calgary.The planes were prop not jet It took much longer.There were very few frequent flyers. It was a big help to political representatives as they now could actually visit home and their constituents.As the 50s progressed props became jets

The more simple cars of previous eras were left behind as the auto industry boomed  Cars becane status symbols  They became  more luxurious.  Heaters were standard and radios a common option. As the cost of a car rose and gas shortages became common the Japanese stepped in and provided small compact affordable  vehicles.They gradually became more upscale. There are few simple cars now Gone are the days when the average man could work on his car and do minor repairs With all the electronics  that is a past


With the car becoming  popular families were no longer obliged to live  in the city Thus began the great exodus to the suburbs.Land was cheaper and subdivisions full of new homes were surrounding all of North American citys.As time went on women got jobs and went to work More cars filled the highways. Soon  there were 2 cars per family.There has been much said about cars and pollution  in the last few years. In the  beginning they were thought  to be a blessing . Why? Well for example can you imagine the number of horses donkeys etc that dropped manure on the  streets? .Think about millions living in citys  like New York and London.. All had delivery services not only to business but home delivery was  common.Cars did not leave behind a warm stink pile Not only was smell and issue but there was  disease  ,abuse to animals ,cleaning up after and  feeding  Gasoline transports better than feed or bedding .

With urban sprawl business moved to the suburbs It changed shopping  Little shops no longer  lined the street .And so the Shopping Centres were born  Strip plazas were also common they were smaller than Shopping Centres, Corner  stores became Convenience stores, Convenience Stores ,barber shop and hairdresser were common tenants of the commercial strip ..Shopping Centers  evolved to malls, commercial strips were retailers opened varous types of store to accomodate the ever increasing number moving to what once was the country Malls became centralized Busy working Moms took advantage and business thrived.  The change from shopping Centres to Malls was very popular in Canada as climate was no longer an issue.

Cities had Trams They were light  electric trains They were relatively low maintenance  They  took many people all over In the lower-mainland It was refered to as the interurban. They went between cities.One could take the interurban to New Westminster from Vancouver It was an outing. People also used it to go back and forth from  work. Use died off and the interurban stopped.
In the early 50 s Bridges were fewer.There was a ferry going between North Vancouver and Vancouver. It was very popular.Eventually there were fewer ferries and they too were mothballed.

Trains changed from steam to diesel It was an awesome site to go  meet the train. It was large and a little scary. More than one child was afraid of the snorting puffing and huffing train. The whistle sounded very lonely and eerie when heard in the darkness of night. Like some animal crying out in loneliness.Eventually diesel won . The whistle changed to something that sounds more like a   harmonica than a train whistle. Nothing can  replace the long lonely wail of trains in the dark.

Truck Transport has become the major mover of goods.Trains used to be a the main commercial movement of  things. Trains have returned and play a larger role than they did for years. As highways improved and bridges were built Trucking became cheaper and easier .With International trade increased freight by train has increased again,

Generally both transport of people and goods have improved. Shipping takes less time. Travel takes less time.