Sunshine Creek Culvert

Ellis Station Sunshine Creek Culvert Flett Station

The Sunshine Creek Culvert is located north of Ellis Station at Milepost 35.7/36.6/6.7.

The culvert, which features three separate water channels, bridges the waters of the Sunshine Creek and is situated 61 feet below a massive earthen embankment. It replaced an earlier wood trestle that was likely part of the original construction of the line. The culvert is approximately 238 feet long and the three openings are 7 feet by 12 feet each. Estimated to cost $78,785 to construct, the tender from the Claydon Company was accepted on August 19, 1920 for $74,816 (outbidding the Northern Construction Company’s $109,051). Originally intended to be completed by March 1921, construction lasted from January 1921 to August 1921.

A controversy erupted in 1924 when a former employee alleged that there had been fraudulent work and numerous safety violations during its construction, including the use of inferior materials, omission of reinforcing steel and the withdrawal of paid-for foundation piles. An investigation by the railway and the government found that there was no basis for the claims and that the culvert was in excellent condition.

In the area immediately east (south) of the culvert, the grade makes an elongated “s” curve, reminiscent of the Moose’s Nose feature and was likely done to mitigate grade issues in the area. Between Ellis Road and Finmark/Flett Road, distance the line travelled was lengthened from 2.99 miles to 4.65 miles (a 52% increase), which resulted in a reduction of the gradient from .84% to .54% (a 36% decrease).