Extra Credit is video series that examines topics related to history in the Thunder Bay District and exploring that history.
Nested alongside the Trans-Canada Highway in Northwestern Ontario lies the skeletal remains of a once-bustling railway hub. In this video, we are exploring the former Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) and later Canadian National Railways (CNR) divisional point at Jellicoe, Ontario. Established in 1914 by Canadian Northern Railway (originally named Hector), Jellicoe was a vital steam-era divisional point complete with a roundhouse, repair shops, section houses, and a station. Originally the intersection between rail line sections or subdivisions, Jellicoe lost much of its importance in 1960 when the lines to the east and west were merged into a single subdivision, the Kinghorn. After serving the region’s forestry and gold rush booms for decades, the Kinghorn saw its last train in May 2005, and the rails were completely lifted by 2010.
Join us for the first of two videos and the twelfth part in our sub-series on the Kinghorn Subdivision as we walk the old right-of-way, discover what remains of the Jellicoe yard—including the station, eastern section house and wye—and uncover the history of this forgotten Northern Ontario rail station. Enjoy!
