Kinghorn Ballast Pit

Namewaminikan River Bridge Kinghorn Ballast Pit Zroback Station

The Kinghorn Ballast Pit was located just south of the Namewaminikan River Bridge at Milepost 145.4/44.6.

There is currently no known date for when the pit went into operation, possibly when the line was constructed. It is shown on a circa 1960 CN map although it doesn’t appear on timetables until 1974 as  2898-foot through spur used by the Abitibi Paper Company. Between 1978 and 1980 the spur was removed from service but reappeared in 1981, shortened and listed as KI-21. It was once again removed in 1985, but reappeared from 1986 to 1988.

At the west end of the pit, at Milepost 45, there was a flag stop known as the Sturgeon River Crossing. It was in use from 1936 to 1955, likely for passengers travelling into the Sturgeon River country.