Then and now photos featuring Conmee Junction, which was located near Sistonens Corners, Ontario. Conmee was created in 1924 when Canadian National Railways rerouted its lines in the area.
Following nationalization, the company found itself with two lines running somewhat in the same direction for about 30 miles west of what is now Thunder Bay; the former Canadian Northern Port Arthur Subdivision and the Grand Trunk Pacific Lake Superior Branch. To consolidate operations, it was decided that the old Canadian Northern line, now the CNR Kashabowie Subdivision, would be doubled tracked to a point 35 miles to the west, which would become Conmee Junction. Traffic for the old Grand Trunk Pacific line, now the Graham Subdivision, would follow this route to the junction. To link to its original trackage, CNR realigned nearly 2 miles of the Kashabowie Subdivision, running it further along the Matawin River to the junction point and there building a 630-foot bridge across the river. The 28 miles of the original GTP line to the east was abandoned in 1925.
As the the junction point between two rail lines, Conmee Junction was a busy place for the next 70 years. Sadly, in 1994, the Graham Subdivision was abandoned by CN, its rails lifted in the next several years. Because of the loss of traffic, the Kashabowie Subdivision was reduced back to a single track and Conmee Junction ceased to have any relevance and was eventually removed as a station. The older photo, courtesy of L. Nevins, shows the area in 1982.
Poverty, Agony, Distress & Want! 