Then and now photos featuring Cove Inlet on Orient Bay of Lake Nipigon. Other than Orient Bay Station/Nipigon Lodge which is 1.5 miles to the north, Cove Inlet is likely one of the most photographed areas in the rugged and picturesque bay. The three period photos, all postcards, were likely taken during the 1940s or 1950s and look north along the rail line and highway, capturing portions of the high cliffs known as the Pijitawabik Palisades.
Cove lnlet was located at Milepost 42.8 on the Canadian Northern Railway Nipigon Subdivision. In 1924, shortly after the line was taken over by Canadian National Railways and became the Dorion Subdivision, a small spur was constructed here called “Cox” (likely after area businessman Charlie Cox). In 1938, the Abitibi Power and Paper Company constructed a marine base at what would become the headquarters of their water operations on Lake Nipigon. In 1960, CN merged lines and it was now located at Milepost 92.5 of the Kinghorn Subdivision. In the early 1970s, Abitibi closed their marine base and the railway spur was removed.
Cove Inlet eventually became the home of Sandy’s Cruiser Service, a staple business on the bay for several decades. Today it is very quiet with the closure of Sandy’s and the Kinghorn, which saw its last train in May 2005 and the removal of the rails in 2010.
Cove Inlet, 1940s postcard.Cove Inlet, 1940s postcard.Cove Inlet, 1940s postcard.Cove Inlet, May 2022.Cove Inlet, August 2022.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 90.8-95) along Orient Bay, ON. Features the grade alongside Highway 11 at Cove Inlet, which was established as a spur in 1924. It eventually became a wood company marine base in 1938 and was used until the 1970s. Signage, culverts and old industries on Orient Bay are highlighted.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 90.8-95) along Orient Bay, ON. Features the grade near Cove Inlet alongside Highway 11 with cuttings, milepost markers and old ties used to support the grade.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 90.8-95) along Orient Bay, ON. Features the grade south of Orient Bay Station with signage, culverts and spectacular views of the bay.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 90.8-95) along Orient Bay, ON. Features the grade at Orient Bay Station with the remains of the siding, signage and structures. It was home to the Nipigon Lodge (later Royal Windsor Lodge), which was built as a resort by Canadian Northern in 1916. It was visited by HRH, the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), during his tour of Canada in 1919.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 87.3-90.8) at Orient Bay, ON. Features the grade as it skirts the east side of Pijitawabik Bay and approaches Orient Bay Station with cuttings, culverts, concrete ties used as rip rap and gorgeous views of the bay.
Then and now featuring CN 5227 and 5216 in September 1993 as they round a curve and lead an eastbound into the station at Orient Bay, ON while the high cliffs of the Pijitawabik Palisades loom in the background. Orient Bay was one of the major stations on this line when it was opened by Canadian Northern Railway in 1915. Located at Milepost 41.3/91, it was home to a station, two section houses, water tank and wilderness resort.
Thirty years later, the Palisades still remain but the rails are long gone (photo taken in May 2022). After becoming part of Canadian National Railways, the line was known as the Dorion Subdivision until 1960 when it was merged with the more eastern Kinghorn Subdivision. Twelve years after the first photo was taken, the last train would run on the line and the rails were pulled up in 2010.
Photo courtesy of Bill Hooper
Eastbound at Orient Bay, September 1993. (B. Hooper)Orient Bay, May 2022.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 87.3-90.8) south of Macdiarmid/Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, ON. Features the grade as it skirts the east side of Pijitawabik Bay with a huge rock cuts and the site of a serious April 1994 derailment.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 87.3-90.8) south of Macdiarmid/Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, ON. Features the grade as it skirts the east side of Pijitawabik Bay with a huge rock cuts, two unique stone retaining walls, signage and fantastic views of the bay.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 87.3-90.8) south of Macdiarmid/Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, ON. Features the grade as it skirts the east side of Pijitawabik Bay with a rock cuts, unique stone retaining wall, signage, two flange greasers and fantastic views of the bay.
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