Extra Credit is video series that examines topics related to history in the Thunder Bay District and exploring that history.
This unique episode was recorded over Thanksgiving weekend in October 2025. It is a documentation of several days of driving, hiking and exploring of the former Grand Trunk Pacific Lake Superior Division, later CN Graham Subdivision, near Silver Dollar, Ontario. Staying at the Silver Dollar Inn, Luna and I recorded the railway grade from Selwyn Lake to Eva Lake and then some. This was my first attempt at this type of video and with any luck, there will be a Part 2 and 3 as we will be returning to Silver Dollar in the fall of 2026 to resume explorations. Enjoy!
Video of the former Grand Trunk Pacific Railway-Lake Superior Division, Canadian Government Railways-Fort William Subdivision, Canadian National Railways-Fort William/Lake Superior/Graham/Raith/Graham Subdivision (MP 19.9-25.1) south of Raith, ON. Features the grade as it parallels the CPKC Kaministiquia Subdivision and passes through a lengthy cutting to Michener-Parry Road. Includes the site of a large ballast pit that was in use circa 1911 to 1915 which is documented on the ground and by drone. Part 8 of 8.
Video of the former Grand Trunk Pacific Railway-Lake Superior Division, Canadian Government Railways-Fort William Subdivision, Canadian National Railways-Fort William/Lake Superior/Graham/Raith/Graham Subdivision (MP 19.9-25.1) south of Raith, ON. Features the grade as it parallels the CPKC Kaministiquia Subdivision and skirts a massive rock ridge with several large rock cuts, a rare segmented concrete culvert and a short concrete bridge that was built in 1960. Part 7 of 8.
Video of the former Grand Trunk Pacific Railway-Lake Superior Division, Canadian Government Railways-Fort William Subdivision, Canadian National Railways-Fort William/Lake Superior/Graham/Raith/Graham Subdivision (MP 19.9-25.1) south of Raith, ON. Features the grade as it parallels the CPKC Kaministiquia Subdivision and skirts a massive rock ridge with a lengthy embankment that crosses over a branch of the Oskondaga River. In 1920, the Carter Halls Aldinger Company of Winnipeg was awarded a $10,700 contact to construct a concrete culvert under the grade. Part 6 of 8.
Video of the former Grand Trunk Pacific Railway-Lake Superior Division, Canadian Government Railways-Fort William Subdivision, Canadian National Railways-Fort William/Lake Superior/Graham/Raith/Graham Subdivision (MP 19.9-25.1) south of Raith, ON. Features the grade as it parallels the CPKC Kaministiquia Subdivision and skirts a massive rock ridge with cuttings and a large rock cut. Includes a lengthy embankment that was at one time likely a trestle and was infilled, but has since developed a considerable sag. In 1919, the Carter Halls Aldinger Company of Winnipeg constructed a large concrete culvert that cost $11,500 to carry a branch of the Oskondaga River under the grade and was rehabilitated in 1983. The Redditt Subdivision runs from Sioux Lookout to Winnipeg. Part 5 of 8.
Video of the former Grand Trunk Pacific Railway-Lake Superior Division, Canadian Government Railways-Fort William Subdivision, Canadian National Railways-Fort William/Lake Superior/Graham/Raith/Graham Subdivision (MP 19.9-25.1) south of Raith, ON. Features the grade as it parallels the CPKC Kaministiquia Subdivision and skirts a massive rock ridge with several high embankments, very large rock cuts and a special visitor. Part 4 of 8.
Video of the former Grand Trunk Pacific Railway-Lake Superior Division, Canadian Government Railways-Fort William Subdivision, Canadian National Railways-Fort William/Lake Superior/Graham/Raith/Graham Subdivision (MP 19.9-25.1) south of Raith, ON. Features the grade at Horne Station with the remains of the siding, station grounds, well, extensive debris field and rock cuts. Part 3 of 8.
Video of the former Grand Trunk Pacific Railway-Lake Superior Division, Canadian Government Railways-Fort William Subdivision, Canadian National Railways-Fort William/Lake Superior/Graham/Raith/Graham Subdivision (MP 19.9-25.1) south of Raith, ON. Features the grade at the eastern end of Horne siding with rock cuts, high embankments, old borrow pits and the remains of the siding. Part 2 of 8.
Video of the former Grand Trunk Pacific Railway-Lake Superior Division, Canadian Government Railways-Fort William Subdivision, Canadian National Railways-Fort William/Lake Superior/Graham/Raith/Graham Subdivision (MP 19.9-25.1) south of Raith, ON. Features the grade east of Horne Station with several large rock cuts and the site of a 1908 water tank. Part 1 of 8.
Video of the former Grand Trunk Pacific Railway-Lake Superior Division, Canadian Government Railways-Fort William Subdivision, Canadian National Railways-Fort William/Lake Superior/Graham/Raith/Graham Subdivision (MP 15.6-19.9) at Finmark, ON. Features the grade west of Griff Road with cutting, rock cuts, swamps, old borrow pits and the adjacent Canadian Pacific Kansas City line. Part 4 of 4.
Poverty, Agony, Distress & Want! 