Eva Lake Bridge

Tannin Station Eva Lake Bridge Unaka Station

Eva Lake Bridge is located near Silver Dollar, ON at Milepost 143.4/114.4.

The bridge spans the eastern side of the lake, whose waters are formed by the massive English River, and is 525 feet long and 10 feet high. It was rebuilt in 1967-1968 to replace a previous timber trestle and is a ballasted deck steel span trestle supported by steel piles. It is the third largest bridge on the line behind the Matawin River Bridge and the Kaministiquia River Swing Bridge. Its replacement was likely due to the impending shipment of iron ore on the line from the Griffith Mine near Red Lake, ON via the Bruce Lake and Redditt Subdivisions.

Located on the western side of the bridge was a water tank and several small structures (likely a section house and a pump house). It was constructed at the same time the line was opened and remained in use until it was discontinued in 1933. It was resurrected in 1950 and remained in use until 1958.

From 1961 to 1976 (officially), the water tank site served as a flag stop known as “The Tank.” Unofficially it was used until passenger service ended in 1985.

Just southwest of the water tank on the shore of the lake were at one time several buildings that apparently served as bunkhouses during the construction of the rail line.