Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 106.1-110.6) east of Cameron Falls, ON. Features the grade from the Cash Creek Trestle to Hogarth Siding with signage, culverts and a significant washout that threatens to sever the line in the area.
Part 6 of 8.
Active, 1914-2005.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 106.1-110.6) east of Cameron Falls, ON. Features the 475-foot long trestle over Cash Creek (whose original name was Gash Creek), which was constructed in 1924 and cost $112,000 at the time. This structure is the second highest on the line after the Blende River Viaduct (https://youtu.be/RW7mF35xBY0).
Part 5 of 8.
Active, 1914-2005.
One hundred and twenty years ago tomorrow, the Gunflint and Lake Superior Railroad (G&LS) was incorporated in the State of Minnesota. Owned by the Pigeon River Lumber Company, a Wisconsin business headquartered in Port Arthur (Thunder Bay), Ontario, the logging line was built to harvest timber along the southwest shore of Gunflint Lake and adjacent areas in the northeast part of the state.
The G&LS was in operation between 1902 and 1909 and branched off the Canadian Northern Railway Duluth Extension (originally the Port Arthur, Duluth & Western) at Milepost 79. It was likely the most unusual railroad in all of North America as it was an American line, but had no terminus in the US and its only access was via Canada. All the timber harvested in Minnesota was shipped to the company’s mill in Port Arthur for processing.
Today there are vestiges of the line still visible, but they are rapidly disappearing. The photos, taken between 1997 and 2016, along with the map (which shows the area in 1911), covers the initial few miles of the line as passes from Ontario across the international boundary into Minnesota. Corduroyed logs, some rails and even a line shaft from a Shay locomotive litter the route. The most amazing remnant of the line was a massive corduroyed log trestle on the south shore of the lake beside the Crab River, which helped it climb the massive ridges in the area. Unfortunately the trestle was burned in a 2007 fire and the following winter the Forest Service was forced to dynamite it to extinguish the smoldering embers inside.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 106.1-110.6) alongside Wanogu Creek west of East McKirdy, ON. Features cuts, a former flag stop (and the possible emergency airstrip associated with it) and the approaches to the Cash Creek Trestle.
Part 4 of 8.
Active, 1914-2005.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 106.1-110.6) alongside Wanogu Creek west of East McKirdy, ON. Features cuts, the remains of a small section house at Milepost 57.3/107, railway remnants and an interesting steel and wood retaining wall.
Part 3 of 8.
Active, 1914-2005.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 106.1-110.6) alongside Wanogu Creek west of East McKirdy, ON. Features cuts, encroaching vegetation and several concrete culverts.
Part 2 of 8.
Active, 1914-2005.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 106.1-110.6) alongside Wanogu Creek west of East McKirdy, ON. Features the grade west of Mileage 56 Road cuts, several concrete culverts and discarded ballast regulator parts.
Part 1 of 8.
Active, 1914-2005.
“This the day…Judah!” Judah? Well, I had the use the whole quote or I would be committing sacrilege. I know, I am dating myself with the reference to epic Hollywood movie Ben Hur, but I am a history teacher, so it’s par for the course. Hopefully Judah Ben-Hur was more rested for his big day than I am however.
Hey kids, it’s go time! I’m currently sitting at my kitchen table, doing my best to collect my thoughts on this day that was a long time in coming. Ben-Hur won his race that day; I’m desperately trying to keep the motor at least idling. The trip hasn’t even started and I’m tired. Unfortunately I didn’t have a good sleep last night. I went to bed early as I usually do (I am getting old you know), but I spent the night tossing and turning. Not sure why, possibly too many things spinning around my subconscious. Maybe I can steal a nap here or there today, but if not, lets hope I can sleep on the plane…I’m not holding my breath though. Regardless, I am ready to go. My suitcase is packed and so is my carryon. I just need to do the last minute check and make sure everything is copacetic. Speaking of which, I should get on that.
Alright, so we’re now in the air; it will be nice leaving behind the -13C temperatures at home this morning for, fingers crossed, warmer places. It was a bit chaotic at the airport, especially getting through security. There were several flights leaving around the same time, so the line ups were rather large for our small airport. Anywho, at least that is behind us and we won’t have to worry about a major queue until we have to go through customs in Rome. Speaking of Rome, I have already been in touch with our Tour Director Kent and everything is ready for our arrival. Fingers crossed we will leave on time from Toronto.
Waiting, waiting. So, a seven hour layover is quite a long time. It’s now 4:00 and there’s still 4 hours until our flight leaves. But I guess it’s better this way than running for the plane…like we did the last time. The chaperones ate some lunch and had some together while the kids explored the terminal. Now we’re hanging out at the gate waiting to meet up with the group so we can move to the correct one (I love playing the moving gate game). The airport is quite busy, which is expected since it is the Saturday of March Break. The flight is currently on time, so hopefully it stays that way.
It’s about that time I guess. Shortly they will be boarding the plane for our flight to Italy. The kids seem to be taking this long layover in stride, playing games, talking and making friends. I’m going to sign off for now and pick things up when we’re in the air. Those musings will appear on tomorrow’s post. Until then…
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 102.5-106.1) west of East McKirdy, ON. Features the grade as it passes the spur at Paju with cuttings, signage and the level crossing at Mileage 56 Road.
Part 4 of 4.
Active, 1914-2005.
Then and now photos featuring Iron Range Hill west of Thunder Bay, ON. In the first photo, a 2-6-0 Mogul of the Canadian Northern Railway (either 107 or 108), is stuck in the snow on the hill sometime in late 1915 or early 1916. The railway was built as the Port Arthur, Duluth and Western in 1893, but at the time was known as the Canadian Northern Railway North Lake Subdivision.
Iron Range Hill, located between Mileposts 59 and 60.5, was the steepest grade on the line at nearly 2 percent. It can be found southwest of Thunder Bay between Sandstone Lake (known as Sand Lake at the time) and Iron Range Lake. Brakeman Jack Lalonde leans against the stack, while passenger J.T. Greer is the middle of the three men standing beside the boiler. Greer is headed to the station at North Lake (MP 71), from where he will proceed to his logging operation further west on the lake.
Today the hill is much quieter (photo taken March 2020). The North Lake Subdivision eventually became part of the Canadian National Railways network and in 1923 this section of line (Mackies to North Lake) was take out of service. The rest of the subdivision was abandoned by CNR in October 1938 and the rails pulled up in 1939.
Picture courtesy of Mary Wilson.
Poverty, Agony, Distress & Want! 