Chronology
Every dated history fact across the site, in date order. Precision varies — some dates are just a year — so ordering within a year is approximate. Showing all entity types.
| Date | Subject | Statement | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1937-01-20 | Greenfield | Mrs. Duncan John Roy MacDonald, aged about 60, "was instantly killed at 10.45 o'clock this morning" when a C.N.R. passenger train struck her as she walked on the railway tracks near her home, "about one and a half miles east of Greenfield station". According to the train crew, "her back turned to the westbound train", the accident happened on a curve. | Ottawa Citizen 1937-01-20(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1937-02 | Canada Atlantic Baggage, Mail, Express Car 10 | Scrapped at London, Ont. | Lepkey p301 |
| 1937-02 | Canada Atlantic First Class Coach 301 | Scrapped at London, Ont | Lepkey p301 |
| 1937-02-20 | Graham Bay | A truck owned by Motorways Limited "crashed into the side of a special Canadian National Railways freight train headed for Barry's Bay at the Richmond road crossing at Graham Bay, about eight miles from Ottawa, early this morning"; Harry Purcell and Morris Ferguson were taken to the Civic Hospital. The train left the yards at 1.30 and reached the crossing at 2.10, in heavy fog; "The crossing has no signals as it is considered to be an open view crossing." The truck hit the fifth car from the rear and three cars were damaged. | Ottawa Citizen 1937-02-20(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1937-06 | Canada Atlantic Parlour Car 200 | Sold to Beckman-Gerety Shows | Lepkey p301 |
| 1937-06-03≥ | Maxville | By 3 June 1937 (the issue date), the paper reported: The C.N.R. Montreal-Vancouver express, westbound, "crashed into the rear cars of a freight train near here last night", about a mile west of Maxville, as the eastbound freight No. 402 was moving into the long siding; the express "crashed into the last two cars". William Roach, master mechanic of Ottawa, who was riding in the locomotive cab, jumped and suffered a fractured right wrist; none of the passenger train left the rails. The Citizen says it happened about 10.30 daylight saving time, the Journal at 9.35 standard time; the wrecking train was sent out from the Bank street yards. | Ottawa Citizen 1937-06-03(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Journal 1937-06-03(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1937-06-26≥ | Chadiere Junction | By 26 June 1937 (the issue date), the paper reported: Five little children "had climbed up on the C.N.R. bridge which crosses Preston Street and were watching the street cars pass underneath when they saw the Deisel engine train from Madawaska approaching and getting frightened tried to squeeze themselves against the railing." Engineer William M. Cooper applied his emergency brakes; one child was caught between the pilot and the bridge rail, and none was hurt. | Ottawa Citizen 1937-06-26(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1937-09-07≥ | Moose Creek | By 7 September 1937 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Five freight cars were derailed and piled up, blocking the right-of-way, but no one was hurt, in an accident on the Canadian National Railways line near Moose Creek at 1.30 o'clock, Standard Time, on Monday morning." The line was blocked until nearly noon; an extra westbound freight from Montreal lost a truck on a coal car, and local passengers were transferred around the derailment. | Ottawa Journal 1937-09-07(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1937-09-13≥ | Casselman Depot | By 13 September 1937 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Fire, which was discovered shortly afternoon on Sunday, completely destroyed the C.N.R. station and freight shed at Casselman, 31 miles east of Ottawa. The loss, according to railway officials, is confined to the frame building, 60 feet by 30 feet in size and erected about 30 years ago." The cause was unknown but attributed to defective electric wiring; the tickets and safe were saved, and there was no delay in traffic. | Ottawa Citizen 1937-09-13(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1937-09-13≥ | Casselman Freight Shed | By 13 September 1937 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Fire, which was discovered shortly afternoon on Sunday, completely destroyed the C.N.R. station and freight shed at Casselman". A passer-by noticed smoke issuing from the freight shed, "which had been closed since Saturday", and raised the alarm by sounding the church bell; the volunteer brigade prevented the flames from spreading. | Ottawa Citizen 1937-09-13(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1937-11-03≥ | Goshen | By 3 November 1937 (the issue date), the paper reported: "A Montreal salesman escaped uninjured when the automobile he was driving crashed into the side of an eastbound C.N.R. express train between here and Glasgow yesterday morning. Hitting the center of the train, the car skidded about 160 feet and swung around, hitting the train again. The car was almost completely demolished." The westbound steam express was held up some time at Glasgow. | Ottawa Citizen 1937-11-03(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1937-2 | Canada Atlantic 4-6-0 #630 | Scrapped | Railroad History #147 |
| 1938-04-07 | Kinburn | Leonard Laughlin, driving a truck loaded with gravel, "was struck by a C.N.R. diesel driven car at a level crossing" at Kinburn this morning, and the truck was turned over. The Journal says the crash was at 10.10 a.m. and that the driver's view of the eastbound C.N.R. passenger train from Madawaska "was obscured by a box-car near the crossing"; the Citizen gives 10.45. Neither he nor William Cole of Galetta was hurt. | Ottawa Journal 1938-04-07(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1938-04-07(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1938-05-09 | Chadiere Junction | "No. 2 from Winnipeg, the first east-bound passenger train due in Ottawa since the wreck, collided with a section gang's handcar just west of the C.N.R. Preston street subway at 8.05 this morning." Section foreman R. McDonald and his crew of three jumped down the embankment and none was hurt; the handcar was a total wreck. The train had been re-routed via Golden Lake and Pembroke Junction after the previous day's wreck near Norway Bay and was due an hour earlier by standard time, which the section gang apparently did not know. | Ottawa Citizen 1938-05-09(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1938-07-23≥ | Maria Street Bridge | By 23 July 1938 (the issue date), the paper reported: James A. Dean, 48, Canadian National Railways engineer, "died early last evening in the ambulance while being rushed to the Civic Hospital a few minutes after he had been run over by a yard train in the yards beneath Laurier avenue bridge." The accident happened about 7.15 as the yard train was backing south out of a siding; Dean had left the engine in charge of the fireman, W. L. Thurlow, while he went to eat, and "it is believed that Dean returned and started to get on board his engine just as it began to move out of the siding with six freight cars, and slipped as he climbed up the steps". He had 33 years with the railway and had been an engineer for 20. | Ottawa Citizen 1938-07-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1938-07-28≥ | Maria Street Bridge | By 28 July 1938 (the issue date), the paper reported: "A coroner's jury under Dr. Harry Dover last night found that James A. Dean, 48, Canadian National Railways engineer, met an accidental death on Friday, July 22nd. No blame was attached to anyone." He was "run over by an eight-car train in the yards beneath Laurier avenue bridge"; the fireman W. L. Thurlow said Dean had asked him to take charge of the train while he had his supper. | Ottawa Citizen 1938-07-28(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1938-07-29≥ | Maria Street Bridge | By 29 July 1938 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Five minutes before the eight o'clock train was due to arrive from Montreal last evening, a large dapple gray colt, dragging a two-wheeled braking cart behind it, appeared racing down the tracks under the Laurier bridge, headed for the Union station." Edward Bowen, a postal employee, caught the animal, which was unhurt; the owner, M. J. Gorman, had bolted from Hurdman road, and the Montreal train "thundered into the station, down the same track" minutes later. | Ottawa Citizen 1938-07-29(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1938-08-30 | Ottawa Central Station | "When the Toronto train arrived in Ottawa on Tuesday, Donat Bertrand, C.N.R. gate attendant, noticed a rod rider fast asleep on the tender of the engine. 'Wake up! First call for breakfast,' he shouted." "Scarcely a train pulls into Union station without a rod-rider these days. Station officials say it is useless to arrest them for the jails would be full." | Ottawa Citizen 1938-08-30(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1938-09 | Canada Atlantic Baggage Mail Express Car 14 | Retired | Lepkey p301 |
| 1938-09-02 | Middle Subdivision | Delegations from points on the Ottawa-Madawaska line of the Canadian National Railways "are meeting the Board of Transport Commissioners this afternoon in protest against the C.N.R. proposal to cancel the evening train on the line in question." The Post Office Department also protested: letters, parcels and newspapers mailed in Ottawa after 7 a.m. would have to be kept a day until the morning train, leaving at 7.45. | Ottawa Citizen 1938-09-02(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1938-09-23 | Glasgow | Joseph Lacaille of Maniwaki, Que., "died in Victoria hospital here Friday afternoon, the result of an accident this morning when the automobile he was driving crashed into the rear steps of the last coach on the eastbound Canadian National local", at the highway crossing "nine miles east of Renfrew and two miles west of Glasgow". "There were no signs of skid marks" and it was thought he fell asleep at the wheel. | Ottawa Citizen 1938-09-24(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1938-09-28 | Glasgow | A coroner's jury found that Joseph Lacaille "died in Renfrew Victoria Hospital on September 23 from injuries received when the car he was driving on provincial highway 17, township of McNabb, collided with Canadian National Railways train No. 686. Death was accidental. We attach no blame to employes of the Canadian National Railways." | Ottawa Citizen 1938-09-29(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1938-11 | Canada Atlantic 2-8-0 #693 | Scrapped | Railroad History #147 |
| 1938-12-12 | Hawkesbury Branch | Arthur H. Heagle, 40, of 45 McGill street, was remanded for a week for medical examination in L'Orignal police court. He was "charged with placing obstacles on the Hawkesbury-Glen Robertson railway line in East Hawkesbury, following complaints by the train crew"; he had applied for a job as night watchman in the yards and "had apparently wanted to show the company that such was needed". He was arrested by C.N.R. Detective B. B. Harris. | Ottawa Citizen 1938-12-13(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-01-06 | Ottawa East | Three of eight reinforced concrete slabs, each weighing 127 tons and 79 feet long, were hoisted "into place over the Nicholas street subway early this afternoon", by two wrecking trains of the Canadian National Railways; the slabs were made at the C.N.R. roundhouse in Ottawa. Ross-Meagher Limited were contractors for the slabs and the bridge, at about $110,000 under a relief labour project. "Three tracks cross the bridge, two of the C.N.R. and one of the C.P.R."; the finished subway would have a roadway clearance of 66 feet. | Ottawa Citizen 1939-01-06(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-03-01≤ | Bank Street | From 1 March 1939 (the issue date), the paper announced: "The Royal train bearing the King and Queen and their suite will arrive in Ottawa at 11 o'clock on Wednesday morning, May 17, at a special platform to be built at the junction of the Canadian National Railway tracks and Island Park Drive." The spot "is on the westernmost boundary line, and a few hundred yards north of Carling avenue"; the Citizen of 2 March called it "a temporary station to be constructed at the Canadian National Railway crossing of Island Park Drive". | Ottawa Journal 1939-03-01(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1939-03-02(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-04-07 | Grand Trunk Railway | CNR seeking to abandon line from Arnprior to Eganville; would run on CPR, subject to Board of Ry Commissioners. | leader |
| 1939-04-07≥ | Middle Subdivision | By 7 April 1939 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Abandonment of the 39-mile stretch of C.N.R. line between Arnprior and Eganville has been agreed to by a joint committee of the Canadian and Pacific Railways, subject to approval of the Board of Transport Commissioners." Abandonment "means that the railway service from Arnprior to Glasgow Station, Goshen, Renfrew Junction, Douglas and Caldwell would be discontinued"; C.N.R. westbound trains would cross to C.P.R. tracks at Arnprior and cross back at Eganville, where a short piece of new track would have to be laid. | Eganville Leader 1939-04-07(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-04-23≤ | Bank Street | From 23 April 1939 (the issue date), the paper announced: "The special platform which is to be erected at the C.N.R. intersection of the Island Park Drive, where the Royal train will arrive with the King and Queen at 11 o'clock on Wednesday, May 17, is to be much larger than previously reported." Instead of 150 feet long, "the platform will be 240 feet long"; it is to be built "along the south side of the railway track, from immediately east of the driveway", with a canopy top and a carpet. | Ottawa Journal 1939-04-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-05-04≤ | Ottawa Central Station | From 4 May 1939 (the issue date), the paper announced: "For the departure of Their Majesties on May 20, the Union Station will be closed between 3.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Superintendent J.A. Rogers of the C.N.R. announced this morning." The last train to arrive at 2.55 p.m. would be the C.N.R. train from Montreal; the last to leave the C.P.R. for Pembroke at 3.30 p.m.; between 3.30 and 6 only railway officials and the official party would be admitted. | Ottawa Citizen 1939-05-04(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-05-20≥ | Bank Street | By 20 May 1939 (the issue date), the paper reported: Queen Elizabeth spoke to William A. Joy, C.N.R. brakeman, "at 9.25 yesterday morning, as he was coupling the engine to the royal train at Deep Cut"; the engine pulled the royal train "to Island Park station where Their Majesties got off". Joy recalled the Queen saying "That is a delicate job you have there". | Ottawa Citizen 1939-05-20(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-05-27 | Bank Street | Tenders were invited "for the purchase and removal of the platform recently erected at the junction of the Canadian National Railway Line and Island Park Drive, Ottawa, for the reception of Their Majesties"; tenders were to be received until noon on Friday, 2 June 1939, the successful tenderer to remove all debris to the satisfaction of the Superintendent, Canadian National Railways, Ottawa. | Ottawa Citizen 1939-05-27(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-06-08≥ | Chaudiere Branch | By 8 June 1939 (the issue date), the paper reported: "At the J. R. Booth, Ltd. railway crossing on Booth street about 11 o'clock last night, a car in charge of Gerald Desormeaux... struck the rear of a freight car that was being backed into the yard and then struck a parked car." A string of empty flat cars was being backed across the roadway, with a watchman with a red lantern signalling; engineer Kenneth Sullivan said he was sounding his whistle. Only slight damage was done. | Ottawa Citizen 1939-06-08(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-07-19 | Chaudiere Branch | John McGrath, 60, an employee of the Canadian National Railways for more than 20 years, "was found dead in his watchman's shelter at the Booth street railroad crossing at 5.15 a.m." The crew of a transfer train bringing empty cars from the Nepean yards to the Chaudiere lumber yards of J. R. Booth Limited stopped when they failed to see him; the coroner found death due to natural causes. McGrath had been a yardman for 22 years at the Bank street yards. | Ottawa Journal 1939-07-19(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-08-23 | Alexandria | Laurent Jeaurond, 12, "was killed instantly and five other persons escaped uninjured when the hay rack on which they were riding was struck by the C.N.R. Montreal-Ottawa express, four miles east of" Alexandria, at 11.15 a.m. The crossing "was on a grade and the train crew was unable to see the rack until it was too late to avoid a crash." The train crew were Engineer John Fellowes, Fireman Alfred Huntsinger and Conductor Alex Runciman. | Ottawa Journal 1939-08-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1939-08-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-08-31 | Maxville | Thomas McDougall, "one of Maxville's best known citizens, was killed when his sedan was struck by an east-bound express train at the Borden plant crossing about 150 yards west of the depot this morning." The car "was carried about 100 yards on the engine pilot". | Ottawa Citizen 1939-08-31(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-09-16≥ | Middle Subdivision | By 16 September 1939 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Any concentrated effort by municipalities affected to fight the proposed abandonment of the 37 mile stretch of C.N.R. line between Arnprior and Eganville will receive the support of Arnprior", the council decided in regular session "last night", after receiving the formal application from the C.N.R. to abandon its Arnprior-Eganville division. "It was pointed out that the line gave employment to some ten Arnprior residents." | Ottawa Citizen 1939-09-16(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-10-14≥ | Arnprior | By 14 October 1939 (the issue date), the paper reported: Herbert H. Brown, C.N.R. conductor, "suffered slight injuries to the back of his head and neck when a shotgun accidentally discharged in a day coach on the C.N.R. Ottawa-Pembroke local passenger train near Arnprior on Friday morning." The gun, loaded with birdshot, belonged to a passenger; Dr. C. W. McCormack treated him at Renfrew station. | Ottawa Journal 1939-10-14(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-11-13 | Kinburn | Two Ottawa men were injured "and the locomotive on the Canadian National Railways Pembroke-Ottawa passenger train was disabled when a truck crashed into the tender of the train at a level crossing near here at 3.30 p.m. today". The accident was on the Kinburn side road a short distance west of Kinburn station; the tender's water tank was punctured and the train, due at 4.20, was delayed more than an hour and a half while another locomotive was sent from the city. | Ottawa Journal 1939-11-14(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-11-20≥ | Eastern Subdivision | By 20 November 1939 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Four residents of Metcalfe leaped from an automobile just before it was struck by the Montreal-Vancouver CNR flyer on a level crossing on the Russell Road two miles south of Hurdman's Bridge on Sunday at 10.35 p.m." The driver stalled the car on the tracks; it was carried 29 feet, and all four escaped. "At the point where the accident occurred there were two level crossings on the road 184 feet apart." | Ottawa Journal 1939-11-20(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-11-27≥ | Hawkesbury Branch | By 27 November 1939 (the issue date), the paper reported: Olivier Menard, 65, and his wife were killed "when the car in which they were driving collided with a Canadian National Railways train at the level crossing on highway No. 34, just outside the town limits at 12.10 p.m." at Hawkesbury, "the Glen Robertson Hawkesbury train which passes close by his home and planing mill". The car was tossed into a ditch about 30 feet away; Dr. Martin Powers opened an inquest, adjourned to 30 November. | Ottawa Citizen 1939-11-27(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-11-28 | Middle Subdivision | A hearing by the Board of Transport Commissioners "of an application to abandon the 37-mile line between Arnprior and Eganville was begun in Renfrew this morning." C.N.R. solicitor A. D. McDonald submitted statistics "purporting to show that a net saving of $104,000 per annum could be attained by abandoning the line"; Murray Chown argued for the affected municipalities that abandonment was not in the interest of the public, that two bridges on the C.P.R. alternative route were unfit for heavier traffic, and that the C.N.R. had asked to abandon the Golden Lake-Pembroke line two years earlier yet now asked to spend about $100,000 improving it. | Eganville Leader 1939-12-03(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1939-12-03 | Grand Trunk Railway | Motion to abandon line from Arnprior to Eganville before Board of Ry Commissioners. Opposed by Renfrew municipalities. | leader |
| 1939-12-03 | The Pembroke Southern Railway Company | CNR seeking to improve line at cost of $100,000. Steep grade limits trains to 17 loads. | leader |
| 1939-6 | Canada Atlantic 2-8-0 #691 | Scrapped | Railroad History #147 |
| 1939-8 | Canada Atlantic 2-8-0 #694 | Scrapped | Railroad History #147 |
| 1940-01-16 | Chaudiere Branch | A car driven by Albert Ardley of Toronto, skidding on the icy roadway of Gladstone avenue, crashed into the second last box car of a C.N.R. freight train "at the Gladstone avenue crossing at 2.30 this morning"; the train, with empty box cars, was about to enter the yards. The Journal says there is no wigwag at the intersection and the Citizen that the crossing is not protected by an automatic signal. Ardley was slightly cut; no charges were laid. | Ottawa Journal 1940-01-16(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1940-01-16(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1940-03-15 | Grand Trunk Railway | Board of Transport Commissioners grants application to abandon line from Arnprior to Eganville (37.91 miles). There is currently one train each way daily. Run from Ottawa to Barry's Bay in the morning, returning in the afternoon. | leader |
| 1940-03-15≥ | Middle Subdivision | By 15 March 1940 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Judgement of the Board of Transport Commissioners has been issued granting the application of the Canadian National Railway for leave to abandon the operation of a portion of the Renfrew sub-division, between Arnprior and Eganville, 37.91 miles." The Board found a decrease in traffic on the C.N.R. line and a joint yearly saving of $104,000; "at present there is one train each way over the line daily", Ottawa to Barry's Bay in the morning and back in the afternoon. | Eganville Leader 1940-03-15(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1940-05-03 | Grand Trunk Railway | Motion to abandon line from Arnprior to Eganville to be appealed to Privy Council on June 21. | leader |
| 1940-05-03≤ | Middle Subdivision | From 3 May 1940 (the issue date), the paper announced: The municipalities appealing against the Board of Transport Commissioners' decision granting the C.N.R. abandonment of the Arnprior-Eganville line "have received word from the Clerk of the Privy Council that the appeal will be heard in Ottawa on June 21", where "both the railway Co. and those opposing the abandonment through Dr. McCann and S. M. Chown, counsel for the municipalities" would present their arguments. | Eganville Leader 1940-05-03(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1940-06-17≥ | Middle Subdivision | By 17 June 1940 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Appeal against the decision of the Board of Transport Commissioners granting the CNR an order to abandon their line from Arnprior to Eganville, a distance of 49 miles, has been postponed until some time in the Fall, it was announced today." The appeal set for 21 June was postponed owing to pressure of business at the Privy Council; "in the meantime the line will continue in operation." | Ottawa Journal 1940-06-17(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1940-07 | Canada Atlantic Parlour Car 201 | Scrapped at Transconna, Man. | Lepkey p301 |
| 1940-07-08≥ | Eastern Subdivision | By 8 July 1940 (the issue date), the paper reported: Mrs. Nellie Stracey, 52, of Westmount, Que., a C.N.R. employee in Montreal, "was instantly killed" falling from the rear platform of the last coach of the Montreal-Ottawa train "a short distance west of Hawthorne station, about 5 miles from Ottawa" on Saturday night. Brakeman George Burgess "made an effort to stop her but he was too late." The Citizen gives the train as due at Union Station at 10.40 p.m., the Journal as 11.30 p.m. | Ottawa Citizen 1940-07-08(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Journal 1940-07-08(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1940-07-11 | Graham Bay | Harold Grierson of Stittsville "beat a train to a crossing on Highway No. 15 near Graham's Bay" without noticing a provincial constable on a motorcycle behind him; he was fined $5 and $5.05 costs in county magistrate's court for careless driving, Magistrate A. H. Lieff remarking that he "had done 'a very dangerous thing.'" | Ottawa Citizen 1940-07-11(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1940-07-13≥ | Eastern Subdivision | By 13 July 1940 (the issue date), the paper reported: A coroner's jury returned a verdict of accidental death in the case of Mrs. Nellie Stracey, who died of "cerebral haemorrhage and fracture caused by a fall from the rear coach of CNR train No. 1 at Stanley's Crossing near Hawthorne last Saturday night." Conductor Herbert Brown said the last car "was just an ordinary coach and had no bar or railing on the back. The back door was always left open so the flagman could signal the engineer." | Ottawa Journal 1940-07-13(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1940-09 | Canada Atlantic Second Class / Baggage 26 | Scrapped at Val Royal, PQ. | Lepkey p301 |
| 1940-09-03≥ | Rideau Junction | By 3 September 1940 (the issue date), the paper reported: The C.N.R. fast transcontinental train "drew into Union Station at 10 o'clock Monday morning, more than 10 hours late after the locomotive, two express cars and a day coach were derailed at Hurdman's Bridge." "The derailment was caused by the C.P.R. operator at Hurdman's Bridge who threw the switch to avoid a collision at the cross tracks with the Toronto pool train which was just leaving Ottawa." Men worked from 11.35 p.m. Sunday to put the locomotive and cars back on the tracks. | Ottawa Journal 1940-09-03(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1940-10-11 | Hawkesbury | Harry Reid, a conductor, "fell to the ground from the top of a box car in the yards of the Canadian International Paper Company here late this afternoon" and broke his right arm (the Citizen says his left forearm). "He was in charge of the Canadian National Railways switching crew here as well as a mixed train running from here to Glen Robertson, a distance of 21 miles and back every week day morning." | Ottawa Journal 1940-10-12(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1940-10-12(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1940-11-01 | Alexandria | A truck entering Alexandria on Highway 34 stopped for the wig-wag signal at the railway crossing; "a long freight passed and the signal ceased. Just as the front part of the truck was crossing the track it was struck by the caboose of the train which had become uncoupled and was travelling about 800 feet behind the rest of the train." Neither man was hurt. | Ottawa Citizen 1940-11-02(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1940-12-02≥ | Gilbert Fauquier | By 2 December 1940 (the issue date), the paper reported: Death of G. E. Fauquier, railway contractor: "Built the Parry Sound Railway, a section of the transcontinental west of Cochrane and a large part of the Canada Atlantic. The great dock at Halifax as part of Foley, Welch, Stewart and Fauquier. Associated with O'Brien, Mackenzie and Mann. Also owned Colonial Lumber of Pembroke." | Ottawa Journal 1940-12-02(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1941-04-29≥ | Bank Street | By 29 April 1941 (the issue date), the paper reported: The depot pipe band of the Cameron Highlanders "stood in a circle under a dim railway yard lamp at the Isabella street siding last night, filling the warm air with the shrill strains of 'Will Ye No Come Back Again,' and two long troop trains, an hour apart, pulled away loaded with men of the 1st Midland Regiment, bound for Eastern Canada." | Ottawa Citizen 1941-04-29(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1941-05-03 | Rideau Junction | Passengers on the Toronto-Ottawa pool train scheduled to arrive at 7.10 standard time "were delayed when one of the wheels of the pony truck of the engine went off the track at Hurdman's just outside the city, resulting in a minor derailment." The train was travelling very slowly; passengers were taken to the city by buses and auxiliary equipment was sent from Union Station. | Ottawa Journal 1941-05-03(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1941-07-02≥ | Graham Bay | By 2 July 1941 (the issue date), the paper reported: George Raverty "escaped with body bruises and a severe shaking up when the heavy truck he was driving was in collision with a Canadian National Railways freight train at Graham Bay crossing near Britannia Heights, about 8.30 yesterday morning." The truck, loaded with sand and travelling west on No. 15 highway, was completely demolished. | Ottawa Citizen 1941-07-02(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1941-10 | Canada Atlantic 4-6-0 #629 | Scrapped | Railroad History #147 |
| 1941-10 | Canada Atlantic 4-6-0 #633 | Scrapped | Railroad History #147 |
| 1941-10 | Canada Atlantic 4-6-0 #638 | Scrapped | Railroad History #147 |
| 1941-12-22≥ | Elgin Street | By 22 December 1941 (the issue date), the paper reported: Fire "almost destroyed" the first Canada Atlantic Railway station built in Ottawa, "situated on Catherine Street between Elgin and Metcalfe Streets", at nine o'clock on Sunday morning; damage was estimated at $1,500. The building, "now used by the C.N.R. as a storage place for repair parts for its rolling stock, and also as a registering office for freights, is a large frame structure more than half a century old"; the blaze started in the roof from overheated stove pipes. The Citizen describes the building burned as the car foreman's office in the Canadian National yards on Catherine street, "just west of the foot of Elgin street", a very old frame building reconstructed as a car department office and stores, the damage confined to the upper storey of the eastern end. | Ottawa Journal 1941-12-22(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1941-12-22(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1941-9 | Canada Atlantic 4-6-0 #632 | Scrapped | Railroad History #147 |
| 1942-01-30 | Barrys Bay | New bus service in announced to Renfrew. Bus to seat 20. | leader |
| 1942-01-30 | Grand Trunk Railway | New bus line in operation from Renfrew to Barry's Bay. | leader |
| 1942-11-11 | Ottawa Central Station | The newsstand in the concourse of the Union station, about 20 years old, "disappeared on Tuesday when Canadian National Railway officials, in an effort to speed the entrance and exit of passengers, tore it down and began construction of a door in the wall against which it stood." Rail traffic was so heavy that attendants had difficulty avoiding jams; the new doorway gives an exit to the platform along the west side of the concourse. | Ottawa Journal 1942-11-11(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1942-12-10 | Ottawa Central Station | "At Union station owing to increased traffic and congestion at the gateways to and from the tracks, it has been found necessary to provide an additional gateway on the west side of the concourse leading to tracks 1 and 2. Officials say that of late it has been almost impossible to regulate traffic through the present gateways, especially from evening trains. Construction of the new gateway is proceeding." | Ottawa Journal 1942-12-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1942-12-23 | Ottawa Central Station | Loudspeakers replaced the station train caller at Union Station "this morning" when holiday travellers thronged to the early trains: "Instead of the long drawn station-to-station chant of one of the employes, with his 'all abo-o-o-o-o-ard', the throng heard their stations being blared forth from loudspeakers." The three speakers were on trial in the Christmas rush and, if they proved their worth, were expected to be permanent. | Ottawa Journal 1942-12-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1943 | Joe Lake | Hotel Algonquin closes. | Wright p1 |
| 1943 | Barrys Bay | Water tower erected. | leader |
| 1943 | Barrys Bay Water Tower | The Barry's Bay railway water tower, now "Canada's last existing wooden railway water tower", "was erected in 1943". | Eganville Leader 2000-10-18(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1943-06-29≥ | South Indian | By 29 June 1943 (the issue date), the paper reported: Normal traffic resumed on the C.N.R. main line to Montreal after "the washout of the Canadian National Railways' main line to Montreal at Limoges, 23 miles east of Ottawa, which caused a derailment of a freight train yesterday morning and resulted in a tie-up of the line", was filled in and the track reopened at nine o'clock "last night", after the Sunday night rain storm. | Ottawa Journal 1943-06-29(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1943-08-26≥ | Ottawa East | By 26 August 1943 (the issue date), the paper reported: President Franklin D. Roosevelt "left Ottawa last night as unobtrusively as he arrived": after an evening meal at Laurier House he "left for the Nicholas street siding, where he boarded a special train." | Ottawa Citizen 1943-08-26(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1943-11-18≥ | Middle Subdivision | By 18 November 1943 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Discontinuance of the C.N.R. line between Arnprior and Eganville will be opposed by the towns, villages and townships affected by the plan. A plan to oppose the scheme was approved at a meeting of mayors and reeves of the municipalities concerned held last week in Renfrew." The Almonte Gazette editorial argued that the application would not have seemed strange a few years earlier, when motor trucks and cars took the traffic, but that "conditions have changed". | Ottawa Citizen 1943-11-18(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1943-12-31≥ | Alexandria | By 31 December 1943 (the issue date), the paper reported: Engineer T. C. Reasbeck, 54, of Ottawa, was killed "late last night when a steam pipe burst on the locomotive of an eastbound freight train en route from Ottawa to Montreal at a point between Greenfield and Alexandria, about 50 miles east of Ottawa." Fireman M. S. Cybulski and brakeman A. Valliere were scalded and taken to the Civic Hospital; Reasbeck, hurled from the cab, died of a fractured skull. The train of 55 cars was pulling a grade; it "was finally stopped about three quarters of a mile east of the point where Reasbeck was found", and the Transcontinental No. 1 behind it was delayed about two hours and 20 minutes. Superintendent Paul Fox stated there had been no boiler explosion. | Ottawa Journal 1943-12-31(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Cornwall Freeholder 1943-12-31(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1944-01-10 | Maria Street Bridge | The Laurier avenue bridge, "closed since the weekend of August 7, was reopened to traffic at 8 o'clock this morning. The eastern approach of the span has been reconstructed, the floor slabs have been replaced and the steel pillars encased in cement. Cost of the repairs, borne by the C.N.R. was reported to be $60,000." | Ottawa Journal 1944-01-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1944-12-21 | Casselman | Two freight trains were in a rear-end collision on a bridge about a quarter of a mile west of Casselman about 2.18 p.m.: "The caboose and two cars of a C.N.R. freight train were destroyed by fire after a second freight train had crashed into them." Both trains were eastbound; no one was hurt and traffic on the main line was disrupted. The Journal first reported two cars of an eastbound freight off the track about 2.30, one on fire; the Glengarry News said members of a work gang riding in the caboose of the first train had to jump to safety. | Ottawa Journal 1944-12-21(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Glengarry News 1944-12-22(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1944-12-22(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1944-12-23≥ | Arnprior | By 23 December 1944 (the issue date), the paper reported: "The engine, tender and three box cars of an eastbound Canadian National Railways freight train were derailed as they were entering the Arnprior yard at 5.20 p.m. Friday. The derailment occurred when the engine overran an automatic derailing device at a switch and jumped the tracks." Superintendent R. Hayes said no serious damage was done and an auxiliary train with a crane was sent from Ottawa. | Ottawa Journal 1944-12-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1945-10-18 | Ottawa Central Station | The railway "threw open their yards to the Legion reception committee for the serving of refreshments and hot coffee to repatriated liberated British prisoners-of-war homeward bound from Japanese prison camps." "More than 800 prisoners-of-war were greeted by the mayor Stanley Lewis and the Legion and Legionettes" as two 15-car trains arrived at the Union station yards at 12.25 and 1.15. | Ottawa Citizen 1945-10-18(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1946-04-12 | Vars | "Speedy work by a railway repair crew was responsible for the arrival of the Governor General in Ottawa on schedule this morning, in spite of a series of minor breakdowns." The Vice-Regal train was held up first by the breakdown of a Montreal-bound train at Vars, about 18 miles east of Ottawa, and its engine was used to put the other train on a siding; later a draw-bar coupling broke and was repaired in nine minutes. Viscount Alexander took a morning walk at Vars station. | Ottawa Journal 1946-04-12(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1946-08-22≥ | Ottawa Central Station | By 22 August 1946 (the issue date), the paper reported: Engineer Edward K. Schlieske of Ottawa, bringing a Canadian National passenger train into Union Station on Tuesday night, found that his daughter-in-law, a war bride, had arrived on his own train: "No, she came in on Number 1," he said. "Oh no she didn't, she came in on your train." | Ottawa Citizen 1946-08-22(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1946-10-18 | Grand Trunk Railway | New weekend service from Ottawa to Barry's Bay every Saturday, returning Sunday. | leader |
| 1947-05-02≥ | Vars | By 2 May 1947 (the issue date), the paper reported: The "Parson" Parmalee, a bank swindler with $17,400, was arrested by Ottawa police "while he waited in the railway station at Vars, 35 miles south east of here, while waiting for the Montreal-bound train yesterday afternoon." | Ottawa Journal 1947-05-02(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1947-06-03≤ | Bank Street | From 3 June 1947 (the issue date), the paper announced: President Truman, Mrs. Truman and Miss Margaret Truman were to arrive "on arrival Tuesday afternoon at 3.30 at Island Park Driveway railway siding" for the ceremonial drive via the Driveway and Sussex street to Government House. | Ottawa Citizen 1947-06-03(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1947-06-05≤ | Ottawa Central Station | From 5 June 1947 (the issue date), the paper announced: "The C.N.R. Central Station will handle 8,000 persons on eight special trains, according to arrangements completed up to yesterday", for the Marian Congress in Ottawa; the C.N.R. planned 42 special trains from the Maritimes, Quebec and eastern Ontario and would set up hundreds of sleeping and dining cars on its Ottawa sidings as a "rolling hotel". Many Montreal-Ottawa trains were to run in extra sections. | Montreal Gazette 1947-06-05(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1947-06-20 | Ottawa Central Station | "The greatest influx of visitors in Ottawa's history was in full swing at the Union Station today, where only this morning, 5,900 Marian Congress pilgrims were brought to the Capital in seven special CN and CPR trains." The specials began rolling in at eight o'clock; "Today's schedule calls for 12 regular CN and 19 regular CPR trains", and at least 20 more specials were to arrive between midnight and early next morning. | Ottawa Citizen 1947-06-20(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1947-06-21 | Alexandria | Charles Massia, an Alexandria district farmer, "was instantly killed about 11 o'clock here this morning when the car in which he was driving was struck by an Ottawa-bound special CN train", one carrying pilgrims to the Marian Congress; the car was dragged three-quarters of a mile. The crossing "is protected by a warning bell and wig-wag system. The warning apparatus was in operation this morning." | Ottawa Citizen 1947-06-21(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1947-06-23≥ | Ottawa Central Station | By 23 June 1947 (the issue date), the paper reported: Union Station "last night" was "packed to the rafters" with thousands of Marian Congress visitors returning home: "Only those whose trains were due to leave the station within the next half-hour were allowed to enter." By five o'clock "nearly 80,000 people had been handled by exhausted officials", on 80 specials and regular trains; there was "neither accidents nor confusion". Eighteen C.N.R. and 11 C.P.R. special Congress trains left, the C.N.R. trains standing on sidings behind the Besserer street post office and the station power plant. | Ottawa Citizen 1947-06-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Journal 1947-06-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1947-06-23≥ | Ottawa East | By 23 June 1947 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Five CNR trains took on passengers in Ottawa East where a platform had been built", easing the outward movement of Marian Congress pilgrims from Ottawa, alongside 18 C.P.R. trains from the Broad street yards. | Ottawa Journal 1947-06-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1947-06-23≥ | Bank Street | By 23 June 1947 (the issue date), the paper reported: Of the Marian Congress homeward movement, "Some trains also took on passengers at the Isabella street and Island Park Drive sidings." | Ottawa Journal 1947-06-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1947-08-14≥ | The Canada Atlantic Railway Company | By 14 August 1947 (the issue date), the paper reported: The Canada Atlantic Old Boys Association held the first day of a two-day reunion at the Chateau Laurier "last night"; "the diminishing ranks" were shown a C.N.R. film, "A Ticket to Jasper", and all had free passes. "The first line was opened from Ottawa to Coteau, Que., in 1882 by the late J. R. Booth. Another line from Coteau to the international boundary was opened in March, 1890, and another from Coteau to Parry Sound in 1896." "It was in 1905 that the general offices here were moved to Montreal to become a part of the Grand Trunk Railway." The oldest member, A. R. Holtby, started with the road in 1881 and retired from the C.N.R. in 1931; M. T. Ashe was president. | Ottawa Citizen 1947-08-14(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1947-09-08≥ | Eganville | By 8 September 1947 (the issue date), the paper reported: Three people were killed and one critically hurt when an automobile "plowed into the engine of the CNR's Ottawa to Barry's Bay Special one mile east of" Eganville on Saturday afternoon at 5.30, as the train, drawing five coaches, moved west across the Spring street crossing on Highway 41. The driver was Albert Kelly; the engineer was George Turner, the conductor William Swinwood; a piston on the engine was broken but the train continued to Barry's Bay. | Ottawa Citizen 1947-09-08(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1947-12-16≥ | Arnprior | By 16 December 1947 (the issue date), the paper reported: An east-bound freight "Monday afternoon struck the three-ton oil truck of J. Melville Keith, but the driver escaped uninjured." Keith was proceeding northward on Hugh street with his view of the track obscured by buildings; the conductor was James C. Cameron of Madawaska and the engineer Harold Sheehan. A few days before, at the John street crossing, the west-bound way freight had hit a truck driven by Ken Burnett. | Ottawa Citizen 1947-12-16(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1947-12-23 | Bank Street | Plans for the Ottawa of 1975, revealed by Federal District Commission chairman Fred Bronson, "show elimination of cross-town tracks, a new passenger station south of Billings Bridge" off Walkley road, and 6,596 acres of industrial area. Features include "Elimination of all cross-town tracks including: (a) CNR across Bank street. (b) CPR tracks over Alexandra Bridge to Hull. (c) CPR tracks past Dow's Lake." Bronson stressed that the plans committed nobody to anything and would be workable only if all parties agreed; the railways had raised no specific objection. | Ottawa Citizen 1947-12-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |