Extra Credit is video series that examines topics related to history in the Thunder Bay District and exploring that history.
Part of the experience of heading outdoors in getting there. This is part six of a multipart series on driving to our hiking destination. This episode was recorded in August 2025 and chronicles our journey to a exploratory drive on the Grand Trunk Pacific/CN Graham Subdivision near Silver Dollar, Ontario.
Enjoy!
Extra Credit is video series that examines topics related to history in the Thunder Bay District and exploring that history.
Part of the experience of heading outdoors in getting there. This is part 5 of a multipart series on driving to our hiking destination. This episode was recorded in May 2025 and chronicles our journey to a hike on the Grand Trunk Pacific/CN Graham Subdivision near Upsala, Ontario.
Enjoy!
Extra Credit is video series that examines topics related to history in the Thunder Bay District and exploring that history.
This episode, the ninth in sub-series on the former Kinghorn Subdivision, takes us north of Nipigon to the communities of Macdiarmid/Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, ON and the tunnel located nearby. The Macdiarmid or Jumbo’s Cove Tunnel was built circa 1911-1912 and is the longest rail tunnel in this part of the country and one of the longest tunnels in eastern Canada. With its unique concrete work and its length, it is certainly quite the place to visit.
Enjoy!
Extra Credit is video series that examines topics related to history in the Thunder Bay District and exploring that history.
This episode is the third instalment in our sub-series on the Grand Trunk Pacific Lake Superior Branch. This time we head northwest of Thunder Bay to Sistonens Corners to visit a section of the original grade that was abandoned in 1925 but was never turned into an road and therefore still maintains much of its authentic form. It is a beautiful stretch that skirts alongside the Matawin River and makes for a great little hike. We also visit the Matawin River Bridge, which was built in 1923 by CN as part of the plan to reroute the line and was used until the line was abandoned in 1994.
Enjoy!
Extra Credit is video series that examines topics related to history in the Thunder Bay District and exploring that history.
This episode is a follow up to our first video on the Grand Trunk Pacific Lake Superior Division and we venture out into the field to see some of the remnants of it. One of the most interesting features on this former line was a location known as the “Moose’s Nose” or the “Devil’s Elbow,” which is located on the western side of the City of Thunder Bay. Built to try to mitigate grade issues as the line climbed westward away from Lake Superior, it was part of 28 miles of track that was abandoned in 1925. The northern side of the “Nose” is municipal property and forms a great little trail which includes a 1917 concrete culvert, a possibly original stone culvert and a lengthy rock cut.
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/Crest Subdivision at Millar, ON. Features the grade as it parallels the Kaministiquia River and the CPKC Kaministiquia Subdivision with a 150-foot long, 50-foot deep washout with the remains of the wooden box culvert at the bottom of the creek bed.
Part 10 of 10.
Active, 1908-1925.
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/Crest Subdivision at Millar, ON. Features the heavily grown in grade as it parallels the Kaministiquia River and the CPKC Kaministiquia Subdivision with cuttings and a 500-foot long, 60-foot deep washout.
Part 9 of 10.
Active, 1908-1925.
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/Crest Subdivision at Millar, ON. Features the heavily grown in grade as it parallels the Kaministiquia River and the CPKC Kaministiquia Subdivision with numerous cuttings and a special visitor.
Part 8 of 10.
Active, 1908-1925.
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/Crest Subdivision at Millar, ON. Features the heavily grown in grade as it parallels the Kaministiquia River and the CPKC Kaministiquia Subdivision with cuttings, great views of the Kaministiquia Valley and the story of a tragic derailment in the area.
Part 7 of 10.
Active, 1908-1925.
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/Crest Subdivision at Millar, ON. Features the heavily grown in grade as it parallels the Kaministiquia River and the CPKC Kaministiquia Subdivision with cuttings and several washouts, including one with a rare concrete culvert still in place.
Part 6 of 10.
Active, 1908-1925.
Poverty, Agony, Distress & Want! 