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.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 83-87.3) at Macdiarmid/Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, ON. Features the grade as it passes alongside the communities with rock cuts, signage, crossings, culverts and the approaches to the Macdiarmid Tunnel. There are also beautiful views of Pijitawabik Bay of Lake Nipigon.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 83-87.3) near Macdiarmid/Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, ON. Features the grade between Farlinger (MP 34.9) and Macdiarmid Stations (MP 36.6) with a milepost marker, rock cuts, including a massive 1000-foot long, 50+foot high cut and beautiful views of Pijitawabik Bay of Lake Nipigon.
Then and now photos featuring the Macdiarmid Tunnel, also referred to as the Jumbo’s Cove Tunnel. In the first photograph, taken circa 1996 by Mike Ročnik, an eastbound prepares to enter the southern portal of the tunnel. Bored by contractors working for Canadian Northern Railway, it was part of a line constructed between Ruel (Sudbury area) and Port Arthur (Thunder Bay), Ontario from 1911 to 1914. Opened for traffic in 1915, portions of it were encased in concrete in the early 1980s.
Today the tunnel is much quieter after service was terminated in 2005 and the rails removed in 2010. At 1058 feet, it remains one of the largest in eastern Canada. In a three week span in January 1912, construction tragically claimed the lives of 3 workers, two of whom are still buried nearby.
Macdiarmid Tunnel, circa 1996. (M. Ročnik)Macdiarmid Tunnel, May 2021.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 83-87.3) south of Macdiarmid/Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, ON. Features the grade from the southern end of the Macdiarmid Tunnel to the northern approaches of the Postagoni River Bridge and includes signage, old crossings and the remains of a hot box/dragging equipment detector. *The cement barrel with the eyebolts is likely an anchor for a warning tower associated with the hotbox detector.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 83-87.3) south of Macdiarmid/Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, ON. Features the 1058-foot tunnel known as the Macdiarmid or Jumbo’s Cove Tunnel, which is one of the longest railway tunnels in eastern Canada. During its construction, three workers tragically lost their lives between January 16 and 31, 1912.
Hi everyone! My name is Luna and I’m a very active and curious Labradoodle. I love to follow my dad on his history exploration adventures, so he decided to put a camera on me to record what I see while we’re hiking. It’s in its armoured housing, so the audio is muffled, the harness doesn’t always stay in the right spot and the GoPro can’t always compensate for my movements, so there are no awards for sound and cinematography here (seriously, it’s very shaky at times). It’s just raw, minimally edited video.
This episode took us to one of the more interesting spots on the railway line just south of the communities of Macdiarmid/Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, ON. The 1058-foot Macdiarmid or Jumbo’s Cove Tunnel is one of the longest in eastern Canada and we’ve been here several times. You’ll see me travel the grade from near the Postagoni River north to and through the tunnel. The tunnel is pretty long and dark! You can check out the video my dad made for his video series on the line here: https://youtu.be/cN3JF9uEyaE
Some are familiar with the Macdiarmid or Jumbo’s Cove Tunnel, which lies north of Nipigon, ON near the communities of Macdiarmid/Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek. At 1058 feet long, the former railway tunnel is one of the largest in eastern Canada and was in use from 1915 to 2005. The tunnel unfortunately has a very tragic history, the details of which have only recently been pieced together.
It is unknown when construction of the tunnel began, but the latter part of 1911 seems logical as work was underway in January 1912. At least two separate subcontractors were involved; Nimmo & Flatt and Chambers, McColman & Harrison. During the second half of January, accidents claimed the lives of three labourers sadly.
The first incident occurred on January 16th. A group of men led by John Ranta (Juho Kiviranta) were setting additional blasting charges after several previous ones did not ignite properly. Unfortunately, one of the earlier explosives detonated; Ranta and Oscar Hendrickson (Oskari Suosalo) took the full brunt of the blast. Their injuries can be described as nothing less than horrific. With no nearby relatives claim the bodies, the men were interred nearby in a common grave with a single headstone.
Two weeks tragedy befell the construction again. In an era before proper protective equipment, a loose piece of rock fell and struck 35-year-old Peter Rice in the head, killing him instantly. His body had to be held at the camp hospital while next of kin were notified, so it took until the end of February before his remains could be moved to Duluth, Minnesota for burial.
Many thanks to all those who helped with this important piece of local history.
Gordon Laird
Karen Johnson-Sheppard
Jerry Adams
Harold Alanen
Nipigon Museum
Michael deJong & Thunder Bay Museum
For more information on the tunnel and the incidents, please the follow page: Macdiarmid Tunnel
Macdiarmid Tunnel, circa 1935. (CN Images of Canada Collection)Macdiarmid Tunnel (south portal), May 2021.Macdiarmid Tunnel, May 2021.Port Arthur Daily News, January 17 1912.Port Arthur Daily News, February 23 1912.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 83-87.3) at Macdiarmid/Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, ON. Features the grade as it passes alongside the communities with rock cuts, signage, crossings, culverts and the approaches to the Macdiarmid Tunnel. There are also beautiful views of Pijitawabik Bay of Lake Nipigon.
A photograph of the community of Macdiarmid, ON as it appeared in 1934. The town site was established in 1911 as a construction camp for the Canadian Northern Ontario Railway which was completed in 1914 (not visible in the photo). By late 1917, a railway spur had been built at what was then known as Sand Point, which was later changed to Macdiarmid. The area was a hub for commercial fishing on nearby Lake Nipigon during World War I.
In the 1960s land was partitioned off on the north side of the community for the Indigenous people living there. Initially known as Rock Bay First Nation, today it is commonly referred to by its more traditional name, Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishinabek.
Toronto Star Photograph Archive
Macdiarmid, 1934 (Toronto Star Photograph Archive, Courtesy of Toronto Public Library)
Poverty, Agony, Distress & Want! 