Then and now photos featuring the Blende River Viaduct, more commonly known as the Pass Lake Trestle. Located northwest of the community of Pass Lake, ON, the first train rolled over its spans 110 years ago this week. In May 2005, the last regular train crossed the viaduct and the rails around it were pulled up in late 2008.
Constructed between May and December 1912 by the Canadian Northern Railway, the viaduct is 2258 feet long and 130 feet high. To bridge the wide Blende River Valley, workers poured 3600 cubic yards concrete and placed 5 million pounds of steel at a cost of $350,000. It remains the longest railway trestle in central Canada.
The viaduct as completed, circa 1913.Viaduct, August 2021.Viaduct, October 2021.Viaduct, October 2021.Viaduct, October 2021.Viaduct, March 2022.
Extra Credit is video series that examines topics related to history in the Thunder Bay District and exploring that history.
This episode is a follow up to our first video on the Kinghorn Subdivision. We venture outdoors to visit remains of the railway at Pass Lake, ON. This area was my first experience with the Kinghorn line and one of the first places I began making videos of it. We start at an area I call “The Cliff” (Milepost 118.7/168.4) and bike 2 miles west to the former site of Pass Lake Station. Along the way I highlight key areas of interest, including rock cuts, culverts and milepost markers.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 173.1-175.1) at Pass Lake, ON. Features the grade west of the Blende River Viaduct/Pass Lake Trestle with a very large rock cut, stone culvert and beautiful views.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 173.1-175.1) at Pass Lake, ON. Features western side of the Blende River Viaduct/Pass Lake Trestle where several rails are still in place. The grade then proceeds west into a large rock cut.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 173.1) at Pass Lake, ON. Features the 2258-foot long, 130-foot tall Blende River Viaduct, which is more commonly referred to as the Pass Lake Trestle. Constructed between May and December 1912, it remains the largest railway trestle in central Canada.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 165.7-170.3) at Pass Lake, ON. Features the grade near the section house at Pass Lake Station with possibly remains of the water tank.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 165.7-170.3) at Pass Lake, ON. Features the grade at Pass Lake Station with the remains of the siding, rock cuts, signs and the section house.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 165.7-170.3) at Pass Lake, ON. Features the grade with a stone culvert, remains of telegraph poles, mileage marker, rock cuts (and rockfall) and the beginning of the siding at Pass Lake Station.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 165.7-170.3) east of Pass Lake, ON. Features the grade with a stone culvert, a station sign, rail and numerous large rock cuts.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 165.7-170.3) between Pearl and Pass Lake, ON. Features the grade with culverts, a mileage marker and numerous rock cuts, including one over 100 feet high.
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