In the 19th century, steam-hauled trains had a virtual monopoly on transportation of passengers. After the 1914-1918 Great War, competition from highway vehicles, which had previously not troubled North American railroads to any considerable extent, began to provoke renewed interest in a more economical form of railway motive power, and a number of 'rail buses' of varying designs were introduced. Self Propelled Cars of the CNR details how, in November 1925, CNR's new diesel-electric car No. 15820 completed its record-breaking run across the North American continent, from Montreal to Vancouver. The train established a new world record for endurance, economy, and sustained speed over such a distance. The book explains how this comparatively small self propelled vehicle led to their wide-spread usage across the system, and indeed across many of CN's rival systems, including the Canadian Pacific Railway. The book describes how, despite the growing popularity of automobiles, and increasing availability of better roads, these new rail cars were successful in stemming the decline in rail passenger patronage, particularly on low-traffic branch lines.

Anthony Clegg was born in Toronto, Ontario, but moved at an early age to the Montreal, Quebec area. He was educated at St. Laurent High School, resided for two years in Ottawa, Ontario, and lived with his wife Mae at their St. Hilaire, Quebec home for four decades. He began his career with Canadian National Railways in 1942, first in accounting, later as the railway's draftsman and cartographer. During his younger years, he lived in Ville St. Laurent, Quebec, within sound of the Mount Royal electrics' shrill whistles and the deeper notes from the early MU cars. He especially enjoyed trips from Vertu to Montreal in this MU equipment, where passengers could get the full view of the tunnel through the window in the front door. Tony's early interest in railways was fostered by his aunt who took him to watch the trains from the bridge near Danforth Station, Toronto. As a teen-ager, some of his favourite birthday gifts were the railway passes to interesting places given to him by his mom and dad. Tony's father worked for Canadian National Railways until 1941, having been employed by its predecessors, starting with Canadian Northern Railway, in 1914. He was an associate of the Canadian Railroad Historical Association, having taken a very active part in the Association's many publications and railway excursion activities, including several years as Editor of Canadian Rail magazine. He was also a member of the Ferrovian Society, and was one of the instigators of the Ferrovia railway exhibit at Montreal's renowned 'Man and His World'. Anthony Clegg's writings include Mount Royal Tunnel, and - with Raymond Corley - Canadian National Steam Power, as well as Self-Propelled Cars of the CNR. He collaborated with Omer Lavallée to write Catenary Through the Counties, as well as Cornwall Electric Railway -- the Insurance Company's Streetcars.

Anthony Clegg's profile page