A rough crossing for this REO

When I found these two photographs, they reminded me right away of something I watched the other day on television (I know very old school). We have probably all seen most of the episodes at least three times (if you are interested in cars or not). But our friends Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and “Captain Slow” (James May) are just so entertaining and funny. It does not matter how many times you watch their sometimes serious and sensible but mostly ridiculous actions.

The episode I am referring to is the one they are on an adventure somewhere in I think it was Africa crossing multiple countries. When the threesome needs to get to the other side of the water, and then they find out there is no bridge. They decide to build a float to get the cars (three million pound worth brand new supercars) one by one to the other side of the water. Although you know everything (or at least most) is put in scene, it is absolutely breath-taking.

From Halifax to Vancouver

The REO we see here on the first photograph (click to enlarge) also has a rough crossing. This was the motorcar used in the first cross Canada automobile trip, from Halifax to Vancouver. Looking at the facial expression of the man behind the wheel, he is a little nervous. But who would not be? Would you take the chance and drive your beloved Pre-War over two thin wooden beams? I am not so sure I would. The second photo we see is taken after approximately thousand miles near Ottawa.

Photographs courtesy B.C. Archives.

Gepubliceerd:

woensdag februari 20th, 2019

Peter Findlay

21 Februari 2019, 07:48

The 1912 cross-Canada REO trip was well documented in local photos and newspapers as well as in a book written by Englishman Thomas Wilby, who is in the rear in the first photo. The driver was Jack Haney, a REO factory mechanic who was supplied by the company to make the trip a success. It was Wilby's trip, but it was only due to Haney's driving skills, mechanical work, and some engineering genius that they managed to make it across the country.

Driving across the beams was rather tame compared to driving along the railway tracks at night after being assured that there were no more trains scheduled until morning, or driving through a rugged B.C. canyon at night, high above the river, with only the light of a lantern being held by a passenger laying over the front fender.

My father's retirement dream was to re-create this trip in his own 1912 REO so in 1997 we followed the original route and schedule, completing the trip in 54 days. We were accompanied by my mother and also a writer, Mr. John Nicol, who wrote the book "The All-Red Route" about the 1997 trip. Along the way we took many "then and now" pictures to compare the two trips. The REO made the 5000 mile trip with no problems.

Lees verder

A rough crossing for this REO

From Halifax to Vancouver

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