Then and now photos featuring McCollum’s Reflection Lake Resort and the former Canadian Northern Railway Nipigon Subdivision/Canadian National Railways Dorion-Kinghorn Subdivision. This picturesque location is nestled at the southern end of Orient Bay, Ontario and amongst the towering cliffs of the Pijitawabik Palisades (pronounced PEE-GEE-TUH-WAW-BIK). McCollum’s was established in the 1940s and is the last remaining resort on Orient Bay.
Situated at Milepost 44/93.7, the rail line was constructed through the area between 1911 and 1914 and opened for traffic in 1915. One of the most scenic locations in the entire district, its rugged terrain was beautiful but also an enormous challenge to build through. It is at this point where the line, which was discontinued in 2005, once crossed from the east to the west side of the bay (the bridge is visible on the right of the photos).
The first photo, a postcard, was likely taken in the 1960s. The second, an attempt to replicate the original by drone, was taken in August 2022.
McCollum’s Reflection Lake Resort, pre-1970s postcard.Orient Bay, 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 Orient Bay south of McCollum’s Resort with cuttings, embankments, remains of a spur, milepost markers and gorgeous 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 alongside Orient Bay near McCollum’s Resort with the remains milepost markers and other signage, a 40-foot bridge over the bay built in 1921, as well as breathtaking drone footage.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 90.8-95) along Orient Bay, ON. Features the grade alongside Orient Bay with culverts, embankments, concrete ties used as rip rap and breathtaking drone footage. In 1921, a significant construction project was undertaken in this area. Two 90-foot trestles were removed and infilled while a large channel was dug adjacent to the grade, rerouting the course of Orient Bay.
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.
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