On August 22, 1990, the rear portion of an eastbound train derailed on Canadian National’s now decommissioned Kinghorn Subdivision at the Namewaminikan River Bridge, Milepost 44.4. Numerous cars and the caboose left the rails, with several cars coming to rest in the river. Part of the bridge and an unknown length of the track were damaged, which took 3 days to repair. The video was shot on August 22nd and 24th. The cause of the derailment was due to thermal misalignment, more commonly referred to as “heat kink.”
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn Subdivision (MP 40-45) east of Jellicoe, ON. Features the 366-foot trestle over the Namewaminikan or Sturgeon River, referred to locally as the “44 Bridge.” It may have been rebuilt in 1985 and suffered some damage as a result of an August 1990 derailment. **Many thanks to Richard and Maryann for their information.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn Subdivision (MP 26.1-29.6) near Kenwell, ON. Features the grade west of Kenwell Siding past the damaged 62-foot trestle over a branch of Dionne Creek with telegraph poles and signage.
Extra Credit is video series that examines topics related to history in the Thunder Bay District and exploring that history.
This episode , the fifth in sub-series on the former Kinghorn Subdivision, takes us to the area north of Nipigon near Hogarth Station and the Cash Creek Trestle. As you will hear me describe in the video, this was an impromptu video as I was not planning on visiting this area until maybe next year. In any case, you will get to see this very scenic stretch of the grade with its very sandy and unique geography. The first part of the hike is dotted with high embankments which later give way to large cuts. You will see a unique sight, which is the remains of a small section house located near Milepost 107. The highlight however is the Cash Creek Trestle, which is the second highest bridge on the entire subdivision and was built back in 1924. Along the way you’ll witness some of the issues that have arisen on the line this year after heavy snowfall has caused the grade to become blocked with vegetation.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 144.7-147.5) at Hurkett, ON. Features the grade as it crosses a small 23-foot trestle and skirts Hurkett Cove Conservation Area.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 144.7-147.5) at Hurkett, ON. Features the grade from Hurkett Station west to a 20-foot trestle crossing over a creek and includes a few visitors.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 138.1-144.7) at Hurkett, ON. Features the grade at Hurkett Station with culverts, two small timber bridges and a level crossing.
Video of the former Canadian Northern Railway/CN-Kinghorn (Dorion) Subdivision (MP 106.1-110.6) east of Cameron Falls, ON. Features the 475-foot long trestle over Cash Creek (whose original name was Gash Creek), which was constructed in 1924 and cost $112,000 at the time. This structure is the second highest on the line after the Blende River Viaduct (https://youtu.be/RW7mF35xBY0).
One hundred ten years ago this week, the first train rolled over the Blende River Viaduct, which is more commonly known as the Pass Lake Trestle. Constructed between May and December 1912 by the Canadian Northern Railway, the viaduct stretches 2258 feet across the Blende River Valley and 130 feet above it.
Opened for traffic in 1915, it remained in use until 2005; the rails around the viaduct were removed in 2008. The iconic structure remains the longest railway trestle in central Canada.
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.
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