The Train Hold-Up In Flin Flon

When a crazed trapper took on a locomotive

It was on a cold January day in 1935 when Duncan McGregor, described as a crazed trapper from Island Falls, decided to take on a locomotive near Flin Flon, Manitoba.

McGregor stood on the track as a mine train carrying about 12 workers approached. The engineer blasted the horn to get him off the track but McGregor did not move. As the locomotive came closer, McGregor shot at the train with his 32-calibre rifle.

The engineer slowly moved the train up again and McGregor shot his rifle. The train slowly moved a bit more, and McGregor fired once again.

For the next three kilometres this continued. The train finally stopped and the RCMP detachment in Flin Flon was notified.

Constable Anderson and Constable Schweitzer responded by taking a train from the other direction to block McGregor on the track.

McGregor, seeing trains on either side of him, stopped walking. Constable Anderson attempted to arrest him but McGregor shot at him. Thankfully, he missed. It was then that police decided to bide their time until they could arrest the man safely.

The crazed trapper eventually walked off the track and through deep snow to get around the second train. As he neared the track the train backed up and McGregor found himself along the locomotive as he approached the railway grade.

Constable Anderson, who was standing on the running board under the headlights waited until McGregor was two metres away. As soon as he was within reach, Anderson took the opportunity to jump at McGregor and catch him.

McGregor was immediately arrested and taken to Flin Flon where a medical examination was scheduled.

When questioned by police, McGregor stated, quote:

“I am D.L. McGregor and I have a message from the Lord.”

He would say no more. In his possession police found a large sum of money, ammunition and a jackknife.