An Incident With a CNR Train in 1974
Because the Mint in Ottawa would not even allow me to ask this question, I posed it to Joe, a generative artificial intelligence entity.
How are coins shipped from the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa to the banks?
Answer from Assistant Poe:
As an AI language model, I don’t have access to real-time information or specific details about ongoing operations. However, I can provide you with a general understanding of how coins are typically shipped from the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) in Ottawa to banks.
The RCM produces coins for circulation in Canada, and once the coins are minted, they need to be transported to various banks and financial institutions across the country. The exact shipping process may vary depending on the specific arrangements between the RCM and the recipient banks, but here are some common methods used:
Armored Transportation: Coins are often transported using armored vehicles operated by security companies. These vehicles are equipped with advanced security systems and are designed to securely transport valuable items, including large quantities of coins. Armored vehicles are typically manned by armed guards who ensure the safety of the shipment during transit.
Secure Containers: Coins are packaged in sealed and tamper-evident containers to maintain their integrity during transportation. These containers are designed to protect the coins from damage and ensure their security throughout the journey. They may have additional security features such as tracking devices or unique identification numbers to monitor the shipment’s location and status.
Air Transport: For long-distance transportation or when time is of the essence, coins may be shipped by air. In such cases, the RCM would likely work with logistics partners or specialized cargo airlines to ensure the secure and timely delivery of the coins to banks in different regions or provinces.
Regional Distribution Centers: The RCM may have regional distribution centers strategically located across the country. These centers act as intermediate hubs for the coins before they are further distributed to individual banks within their respective regions. This approach can help streamline the logistics and reduce transportation costs.
It’s important to note that the Royal Canadian Mint may have specific protocols and security measures in place to safeguard the transportation of coins, considering the high value and importance of the shipment. The exact details of these protocols, including specific security measures, may not be publicly disclosed for security reasons.
For precise and up-to-date information on how coins are currently shipped from the Royal Canadian Mint to banks, it would be best to reach out to the Royal Canadian Mint or the banks directly for the most accurate information.
(I first asked Poe to give me the facts of the great nickel spill on February 22, 1974. Joe was absolutely stumped. So, it seems historians still have their uses.)
SOME HOMEWORK FOR YOU
The Royal Canadian Mint defied my attempts to contact them. The OPP Museum referred me to Archives Ontario. If you have the time, inclination, and skills, contact Library and Archives Canada and Archives Ontario. These two institutions suggested how I could access their files.
a) From: CONTACT <contact@cn.ca>
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2023 9:17 AM
To: Edgar Lavoie <edgarlavoie@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: 1974 shipment of nickels (CID:d3qzb3$7z2gkwwnghc)
Good day,
Thank you for reaching out to the CN Public Inquiry Line. For all archival and genealogical information please contact the Library & Archives Canada where CN’s archives are located. CN’s historical collection forms one of the largest, single record groups there. Depending on the nature of the research required, it will take about six or eight weeks to provide a response to your inquiry. Inquiries can be submitted by using the Reference Inquiry Form on their website at: www.collectionscanada.ca click on Contact US or call their hotline toll free at 1-866-578-7777, extension 8.
Thank you,
| Michelle | |
| CN Public Inquiry Line Renseignements généraux du CN T:1-888-888-5909 contact@cn.ca |
b) From: Roy, Dylan <Dylan.Roy@bac-lac.gc.ca>
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2023 2:57 PM
To: edgarlavoie@hotmail.com
Subject: QMS-159600 nickel spill
Our reference no. QMS-159600
Greetings Edgar Lavoie,
Thank you for contacting Library and Archives Canada (LAC) regarding a nickel spill on Canadian National Railways in between Hillsport and Nakina on February 22 of 1974.
I started my search on the Collection Search database: https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Home/Search
I used basic keyword searches to see if anything of relevance could be discerned by using the words nickel, spill, Nakina, Hillsport, CNR but nothing pertinent was generated. I ensured to reduce my keyword search to the year of the occurrence, 1974, which you can do by using the “Date” section located under the “Limited to” header while on a search result screen.
I then endeavored to search some of our government fonds such as the Canadian Transport Commission fonds (RG46), the Department of Transport fonds (RG12), the Canadian National Railway Company (RG30) fonds as well as the Royal Canadian Mint fonds (RG120).
Since nothing was discerned from simple keyword searches, it was necessary to look through the various fonds above by looking at lower level archival descriptions. To look at lower level archival descriptions, simply go under the “Record Information – Details” header, and click on “View lower level description(s)” in the “Fonds includes” section (you can search lower level descriptions in series, sub series, sub-sub series and accessions in the same manner).
To determine if a lower level series was relevant, I made use of the “Scope and content”, “Finding aid”, “Biography/Administrative history,” and “Additional information” sections which are all located under the “Record Information – Details” header while viewing an archival description.
These sections share information that can help you determine if you are on the right path for research purposes. Moreover, finding aids enable you to view lower level descriptions that may not be available at the title level on Collection Search, therefore, making them necessary to find certain archival descriptions.
That being said, I looked through the fonds listed above and nothing of relevance was openly made apparent via the Royal Canadian Mint fonds. Although I did not identify anything of relevance, it might be that more research needs to be conducted in the fonds to determine its validity for your research. I also searched the Department of Transport and the CNR fonds, however, nothing of relevance was identified.
I then resolved to investigate through the Canadian Transport Commission fonds and found a few series that seemed promising, the first being the Rail Transport Committee.
Below the Rail Transport Committee, I found a sub-series titled Central registry files. The Central registry files has a date range of 1876-1995 which covers your area of interest moreover, the scope and content states the following:
Sub-series consists of files from the successive central registry systems of the Board of Railway Commissioner (1904-1938), Board of Transport Commissioner (1938-1967) and the Rail Transport Committee of the Canadian Transport Commission (1967-1989). A large number of these records are case files dealing with railway safety occurrences.
This led me to suspect that a potential file could be held therein. I looked at the lower level descriptions and over five-thousand search results were generated. I reduced the year range to the 1970s which lowered the results to a little over seventeen-hundred which, of course, was still too large of an amount to go through. I then decided to reduce the search to 1974 only and almost three-hundred results were generated. With these search parameters, I clicked on “advanced search”. With advanced search clicked, it kept my search parameter searching to 1974 and also kept the MIKAN number (134730) associated with the sub-series in my filter. I then added “February 22” in the “All these words” section to see what could be found. Unfortunately, this was too specific. I then decided to simply use “February” which garnered a very manageable 17 search results.
Unfortunately, from these results, nothing seemed to be relevant. Additionally, it seemed that the accidents mentioned all featured injuries or deaths and therefore, the nickel spill might not be included in these types of reports.
I then looked through other series in the fonds and nothing outwardly seemed connected with the nickel spill that you mention. However, there is one accession titled Railway occurrence files and reports for the years 1913-1990 which features railway occurrences from 1913-1990. I looked at the finding aid section of the file but it seems to still be in a processing stage (code 99). Therefore, until the finding aid is complete, its hard to determine what the boxes of the accession actually contain.
I also noticed during my search that the incident you are looking for will most likely be a code 32. You can determine a Code 32 status by going to the “Ordering and Viewing options” header and clicking on “Show detail” in the “Conditions of access” section while viewing an archival description.
“Consultation 32 Restricted by Law” applies to all governmental records that have not yet been fully opened for public consultation. This does not mean you cannot consult or reproduce them, simply that they will need to be reviewed to see if access can be given.
To find out more about the access to information and privacy process and how to make a request, you can visit the following page: https://library-archives.canada.ca/eng/services/public/access-information-privacy/Pages/access-information-privacy.aspx
To conclude, it seems that nothing of relevance pertaining to the event that transpired on February 22nd in 1974 was uncovered during my research. However, it might mean that more research needs to be conducted. Unfortunately, LAC does not have the funds to continue further research on your behalf but we do hold a list of freelance researchers who may help you (for a fee) with your research. The list can be found at the following link: https://library-archives.canada.ca/eng/services/public/consult-lac-material/hire-researcher/pages/hire-researcher.aspx
I hope this has been helpful. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by replying to this email.
Best regards,
Dylan Roy
Reference Archivist, Access and Services Branch
Library and Archives Canada / Government of Canada
Dylan.Roy@bac-lac.gc.ca / Tel: 343-574-5109
c) From: AO ASA <reference@ontario.ca>
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2023 11:05 AM
To: edgarlavoie@hotmail.com
Subject: Subject: INVESTIGATION in Nakina February 1974
Dear Edgar,
Thank you for contacting the Archives of Ontario. While we do not provide research services, I am happy to offer some direction and resources to assist you with your search.
Our main research tool is our database (AIMS). Plus, please take a look at some of our research guides and pathfinders.
If you identify any records you would like to see, please indicate the titles, reference codes, and any location/ordering information (if available) and we can set up an appointment for you to view them in the Archives’ reading room (located at 134 Ian MacDonald Blvd, Toronto).
Please remember that the majority of our records are stored offsite and require approximately 24-72 hours to bring into the Reading Room for viewing. Please also be aware of any access restrictions in the description of the records.
Check out our website to Prepare for Your Visit (gov.on.ca).
OPP records
OPP investigations see research_guide_233_criminal_justice.pdf (gov.on.ca) section 1.1. Please note that access to these records is restricted for 100 years under Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
For OPP records, if you identify any record series would like to view, a request for access must be made online or by mail for records 100 years old or less. For more information regarding the request process, click here to consult our Customer Service Guide 109.
In your letter or in the section of the form include the record series you wish to have searched (reference code(s) and title(s) listed in guide 223) and include all the information you have on in incident.
Newspapers
If you are interested in conducting research into the incident using newspaper records, please see Finding Aid L23_newspapers.pdf. Plus please consult research_guide_212_newspapers.pdf (gov.on.ca) for more information on accessing those collections.
Happy searching,
Emma Robinson (She/Her)
Archivist, Archives Services
Archives of Ontario
Archivist Note: Please contact me if you need this information in another format.
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