Chronology
This undated photo shows a mixed train of the Canadian Northern headed by a 2-6-0 Mogul (either 107 or 108) moving past piles wood and lumber stacked alongside the tracks. The photo was most likely taken in the 1910's somewhere near Nolalu.
1872
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Charter granted to the Thunder Bay Silver Mines Railroad.
1881
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Application made to incorporate the Thunder Bay & Minnesota Railway (T.B & M.R.R)
1882
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T.B & M.R.R bill thrown out of Parliament.
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Application made to incorporate the Thunder Bay Colonization Railroad Company (TBCR)
1883
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Charter granted to the TBCR on February 1st.; authorized to build From Prince Arthur's Landing to a point east of Arrow Lake on Pigeon River.
1884
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First sod turned for the TBCR on November 22nd.
1885
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The TBCR granted a Dominion subsidy of $92,000 from Murillo Stn on the CPR to the east end of Whitefish Lake.
1886
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TBCR granted an additional $179,000 subsidy for the extension of line from Whitefish Lake to Crooked Lake.
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TBCR extended to Nameukan Lake, with a branch to Crooked Lake.
1887
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Renamed the Port Arthur, Duluth, & Western Railway (P.A.,D.&W.). by Provincial Statute on April 23rd.
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Construction begun.
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First sod turned at the foot of John St. on September 24th.
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Nine miles cleared and graded
1888
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Ontario Government authorizes railway to change projected route; from Port Arthur, via Whitefish Lake to Gunflint Lake
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The P.A.D & W incorporated by the Dominion Government on May 4th, and declared a work for the general benefit of Canada
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The P.A.D & W receives a Dominion subsidy of $271,200 for 84 and 3/4 miles from Port Arthur to Gunflint Lake
1889
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Initial work abandoned; new route chosen
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Construction resumed; reaches Kaministiquia River at Stanley (mile 19) by years end
1890
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P.A.D & W given a $3200 per mile subsidy for a five mile branch to Kakabeka
Falls by the Dominion Government
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The P.A.D & W signs a running rights agreement with the Ontario and
Rainy River Railway
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Construction is hampered by financial problems; Thomas Marks is removed
as president of the railway and controlling interest of the company passes
to the "Toronto Syndicate"
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Loans from the Bank of Commerce re-start construction
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Tracks laid to Silver Mountain (mile 40) by December 20th.
1891
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A fire in January destroys the company's engine house, damaging two engines and causing $10,000 worth of damage.
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US engineers survey the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad route north to Gunflint Lake.
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Rails reach almost to North Lake by the end of the year
1892
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The Gunflint Lake Iron Company incorporated in March
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The P.A.D & W given a Provincial subsidy of $21,000 to complete the
line to Gunflint Lake, as well as a $7,000 subsidy for 3 and ½ miles of
the Kakabeka branch
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the Port Arthur, Duluth and Western Railway Company of Minnesota incorporated
in Minnesota in May
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Contract signed to haul 1 million tons of ore over 10 year
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Ore docks proposed in both Port Arthur and Fort William; never undertaken
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Forest fires delay the completion of the line
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William Rees Brock elected president of the company
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Railway completed to Gunflint (Paulson) Mines
1893
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Railway officially completed on January 4
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Town of
Leeblain
is christened on January 4
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Publishes its first full timecard on June 16
1894
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US portion of line damaged by forest fires
1895
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The railway granted a $3,000 per mile subsidy for a 80 mile branch line
to the Rainy River District
1898
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Railway sold to Canadian Northern Railway (C.N.o.R) for an estimated
$250,000
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Several legal suits filed in Ontario Court to stop the sale
1899
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The bankrupt P.A.D & W is ordered sold by tender by the High Court
of Ontario
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The tender of Æmilius Jarvis & Co. for $500,000 is accepted
by the court; subsequently sold to C.N.o.R
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Ontario & Rainy River Railway authorized to acquire the holdings of
the P.A.D & W
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Telegraph lines put up along the line
1900
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First 19 miles of PD to Stanley Junction becomes the cornerstone of
C.N.o.R's O&R.R.R.
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Becomes Canadian Northern Railway-Duluth Extension
1902
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Section between North Lake Station and Gunflint Narrows is abandoned
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Plans made by the Duluth & Northern Minnesota Railway to construct north to Gunflint Lake
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Pigeon River Lumber Company constructs the Gunflint & Lake Superior Railroad which travels from the Duluth Extension at Little Gunflint Lake, 3 and ½ miles to Crab Lake
1903
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Tri-weekly service to LeeBlain is restored for the balance of the year
1906
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New C.N.o.R station constructed in Port Arthur
1909
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Railway does considerable business hauling logs from Gunflint Lake
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Forest fires cause extensive damage to the line, including the destruction
of a 1000-foot trestle on North Lake; severing the line to Gunflint and
the US
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The Duluth Extension becomes the North Lake Branch
1912
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C.N.o.R completes the Stanley cut-off; North Lake Branch and Main Line
Section trains now diverge at Twin City Junction
1915
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All rails removed from the Minnesota portion of the line; all rails west of North Lake removed as well
1918
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The financially troubled C.N.o.R re-organized under the Canadian Government
Railways
1919
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Nationalization; becomes Canadian National Railways-North Lake Sub-Division
1921
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Plans made by the Palatine Mining & Development Co to re-open the Paulson mine and re-build the abandoned section of line
1922
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Wooden trestle over the Kaministiquia River replaced with a concrete and steel structure
1923
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Forest fire destroys trestle at Mackies Siding; shortens line by 21
miles
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Section between North Lake and Mackies abandoned
1936-37
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Caterpillar infestations hamper operations
1937
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All rails west of Mackies torn-up
1938
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High water on the Whitefish River causes washouts and weakens several bridges near Hymers
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Last train runs on March 24th.; application made by CN to abandon line
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CN formally abandons the line in October
1938-39
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Rails between Mackies and Rosslyn removed; 1.74 miles of track left as an industrial spur