CO2--- 1962

In the early 60's, running down East, Roy C. was the same as the rest of us hauling frozen on a dry box, or a screwed up reefer, whether it was ice cream, frozen fish or what have you. We all had the same thing in common, --- UNION CARBIDE. If for an example you had a load of frozen fish and the reefer was out of commission, and nowhere to repair it (or lack of money to do the same) you would stop in at U C in Montreal, Quebec City, Dartmouth, or wherever you could find a CO2 supplier, --- For $10 they would stick a 40 foot hose into the load and then close the doors, a shot of CO2 would drop the temperature in the van down to more than -40 below zero in a couple minutes. The hose was then removed, (it was a solid rod by then) the doors were closed, and then drive like hell to the next delivery point. If too far away, another $10 shot would refreeze it. When arriving at the customers the load was hard as a rock. (On the outside) After time the customers got wise, (the received bill had been signed, and driver disappeared) they would not let any truck unload until they inserted a chef's thermometer into the case. The centre had to be below zero before they would unload. If not, you were screwed. Roy and I charged up together one night in Quebec City, and then raced  down East, as we both had frozen freight on a dry box. I told you that the old days were more exiting, and they were. --- Diesel Gypsy.

Note; Example of what happened, --- I'll not mention the drivers name for obvious reasons, the company, I think is in the graveyard somewhere, so I will give the name.

This driver will be called ("nut case" and I think he was, totally.) had a B-61, no sleeper pulling a dry box. He had 3/4 load of dry freight and wanted to top off for the extra bucks. Believe it or not, he loaded ice cream on the nose and built a plywood bulkhead up against the ice cream. He rushed over to get a co2 shot, then finished loading general freight to the rear doors. Drove like hell from Dartmouth to Quebec City for a second shot, the ice cream was hard on the outside but was liquid internally. This was in July, 1962. Unfortunately this did not work, he had a breakdown just east of Toronto and the ice cream was running out the side and back doors. Now, guess who bought the ice cream in the end? Ha-ha, you were right if you said McCauley Transport.

     -------------- William (Diesel Gypsy) Weatherstone            RETURN TO STORY MENU