Bill Leggett, Sr

Jim Leggett posted on Chaski.org


 * The photo on the left is my grandfather Bill Leggett, Sr (A.W.L.) in his basement shop on Bolton Avenue in St-Lambert, across the river from Montreal. On his bench is the beginnings of his 10-wheeler. AWL was the designer of these 4-6-0 locomotives and I think my great uncle Harry Turnbull made the patterns. Castings were often poured at Hooker Foundry in Huntingdon Quebec. They closed their doors just two months ago. This photo is one of many "selfies" AWL took with his trusty 4x5 Sped Graphic camera.


 * The photo on the right is my grandmother Myrtle, wife of AWL and my father's mother. The locomotive is a 3/4 inch scale Berkshire that AWL designed around his own cylinder and wheel castings and a cast bronze trailing truck from my uncle's CPR Hudson pattern. Ed Ratcliffe designed his 4-6-4 while working in the railway's drafting department.


 * AWL never finished this project, probably because it grew too big as he was growing older, and it always fascinated me as a child. When he died it disappeared in the sale of the house. Years later an ex-member of my club showed up and pinned an ad to the clubhouse bulletin board… Berkshire for sale! The engine appeared after decades. I called right away with the intention just to view the Berk in real life but my wife knew better and approved my cashing out an insurance investment and the loco was mine. I still have it today.

Obituary
by J. R. Kerr, from Live Steam Magazine, February 1979:


 * A. William Leggett, a most devoted Live Steamer and an early member of the Brotherhood of Live Steamers, passed away during 1978. Bill was born in 1895 in Montreal, Canada.  He served with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in France from 1916 to 1919, but his lifetime career was in the employ of the Bell Telephone Company from 1912 to 1955.


 * His earliest hobbies were photography, radio and steam, his first locomotive, a 3/4 inch scale, 3-1/2 inch gauge freelance Pacific better know as Calamity Jane being completed in 1931. He was the owner and general manager of the The Toad Swamp and Punk Hollow Railroad at his home in St. Lambert, Quebec.  This railroad provided the incentive for many a developing Live Steamer in the Montreal area.


 * Bill was one of the founding members of the Montreal Society of Model Engineers, serving as President during the early years and was editor of their news bulletin in 1936.


 * Myrtle Leggett, Bill's wife, died about a month after Bill. Left to mourn were their son, William and daughter Willa (Mrs. E.) Radcliffe and their families.