Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn Subdivision (MP 19.9-21.2) at Geraldton, ON. Features the grade through the community with the remains of the siding, spur, signage and station.
Part 2 of 3.
Active, 1914-2005.
Category Archives: History
CNoR/CN-Kinghorn Subdivision MP 120.7-122 I (Geraldton Station)
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn Subdivision (MP 19.9-21.2) at Geraldton, ON. Features the grade as it enters the community from the east and includes the remains of the siding, signage and telegraph poles.
Part 1 of 3.
Active, 1914-2005.
Extra Credit XXVII “The Kinghorn, Part V (East McKirdy, Ontario)”
Extra Credit is video series that examines topics related to history in the Thunder Bay District and exploring that history.
This episode , the fifth in sub-series on the former Kinghorn Subdivision, takes us to the area north of Nipigon near Hogarth Station and the Cash Creek Trestle. As you will hear me describe in the video, this was an impromptu video as I was not planning on visiting this area until maybe next year. In any case, you will get to see this very scenic stretch of the grade with its very sandy and unique geography. The first part of the hike is dotted with high embankments which later give way to large cuts. You will see a unique sight, which is the remains of a small section house located near Milepost 107. The highlight however is the Cash Creek Trestle, which is the second highest bridge on the entire subdivision and was built back in 1924. Along the way you’ll witness some of the issues that have arisen on the line this year after heavy snowfall has caused the grade to become blocked with vegetation.
Enjoy!
Extra Credit XXVI “Hiking n’ Biking, Part III”
Extra Credit is video series that examines topics related to history in the Thunder Bay District and exploring that history.
This episode, the third in the Hiking n’ Biking sub-series, dives into my latest piece of biking equipment, which is a trailer. I bought this after an incident in July 2022 in which Luna’s paws were badly injured during a hike east of Geraldton (you can hear more about it in the link below). Going forward, I needed a way to take some of the stress off her paws on long hikes and also prevent her from over-exerting herself physically.
You’ll get a close up view of the collapsable trailer as I unfold it and attach it to my bike. I also relay my experiences using it with Luna, particularly the challenges of getting her to stay in it and towing a heavy dog behind my bike. I’ve only used it a half dozen times so far, but so far my impressions are positive and it seems to be working well.
Enjoy!
Predjama Castle (Predjamski Grad) July 2023
The Predjama Castle (Predjamski Grad) is a Renaissance castle located near Postojna, Slovenia. It is the best surviving example of a cave castle in the world and dates back to 1274.
The castle was visited as part of a tour of the Postojna Cave (Postojnska Jama), which is 9 kilometres away. My apologies for the poor camera work at times; the crowds were a challenge and I was also trying to take photographs at times.
Trincea Blindata (Armoured Trenches) Redipuglia, Italy July 2023
This preserved section of trench (complete with overhead cover, hence “armoured”) is located adjacent to the Redipuglia War Memorial (Sacrario militare di Redipuglia) in Fogliano Redipuglia, Italy. It was originally constructed during the early battles along the Isonzo River in June to July, 1915. Inside, one can see the embrasures or firing loops on the uphill side, as well as ammunition/grenade niches below them and a pronounced firing step. In several spots there appears to be machine gun firing positions. Unfortunately I was not able to linger very long.
Near the entrance to the trench is the following inscription, carved into a piece of stone:
Trincea Blindata E stata costruita e presidiata dai gloriosi fanti della Brigata Siena (31 e 32 Fanteria) e successivamente dalla Brigata Savona (15 e 16 Fanteria) e dalla Brigata Cagliari (63 e 64 Fanteria) durante le azioni offensive del Giugno-Luglio 1915 (1 e 2 Battaglia dell’Isonzo).
Armoured Trench It was built and manned by the glorious infantrymen of the Siena Brigade (31st and 32nd Infantry) and subsequently by the Savona Brigade (15th and 16th Infantry) and the Cagliari Brigade (63rd and 64th Infantry) during the offensive actions of June-July 1915 (1st and 2nd Battles of the Isonzo).
Extra Credit XXV “The Kinghorn, Part IV (Red Rock, Ontario)”
Extra Credit is video series that examines topics related to history in the Thunder Bay District and exploring that history.
This episode , the fourth in sub-series on the former Kinghorn Subdivision, takes us to the area between Nipigon and Red Rock where the grade parallels the still active Canadian Pacific mainline for several miles (officially the CPKC Nipigon Subdivision). Here, one can witness the immense work that the Canadian Northern Railway (the original constructors of the line) did to build their grade outboard of the Canadian Pacific line. It was obviously very labour intensive and expensive, and as you will hear, not without human cost as well. This area contains some amazing geography and stunning views of the Nipigon River and Bay. In the links below you can see more of the area, including the video on the accident, and the full-length version.
Enjoy!
Extra Credit XXIII “The Kinghorn, Part III (Wildgoose Lake, Ontario)”
Extra Credit is video series that examines topics related to history in the Thunder Bay District and exploring that history.
This episode , the third in sub-series on the former Kinghorn Subdivision, takes us to the Geraldton area where follow the grade to the site of Keemle Station. We begin at Wildgoose Beach Road (Milepost 130.4/29.6) travelling west 3 miles to the station at Milepost 133.2/32.4. Along the way we pass milepost markers, a long rock causeway and the remains of the siding at Keemle. This station was once home to a water tank and section house and on this visit I uncovered the concrete base of the tank and located what I believe was the site of the section house. In the links below you can see more of Keemle, including the results of my archaeology work, and the full-length version video.
Enjoy!
CNoR/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision MP 97.8-100.5 IV (Dorion Station)
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 147.5-150.2) at Dorion, ON. Features the grade as it passes through the former station with the remains of the siding, a small spur, the station grounds (including a well), section house and signage.
Part 4 of 4.
Active, 1914-2005.
CNoR/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision MP 97.8-100.5 III
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 147.5-150.2) near Dorion, ON. Features the grade as it passes over numerous embankments with culverts and telegraph poles, including a rare one still standing.
Part 3 of 4.
Active, 1914-2005.
Poverty, Agony, Distress & Want! 