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 locations.
| Date | Subject | Statement | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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...) |
| 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...) |
| 1938-09-23 | 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...) |
| 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...) |
| 1939-04-23≤ | 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...) |
| 1939-05-20≥ | 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...) |
| 1939-08-23 | 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...) |
| 1939-10-14≥ | 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...) |
| 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...) |
| 1940-09-03≥ | 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...) |
| 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...) |
| 1941-12-22≥ | 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...) |
| 1942-01-30 | Barrys Bay | New bus service in announced to Renfrew. Bus to seat 20. | leader |
| 1943 | Joe Lake | Hotel Algonquin closes. | Wright p1 |
| 1943 | Barrys Bay | Water tower erected. | leader |
| 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...) |
| 1943-12-31≥ | 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...) |
| 1944-12-21 | 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...) |
| 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...) |
| 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...) |
| 1947-06-21 | 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 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...) |
| 1947-09-08≥ | 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...) |
| 1948-01-07 | Bank Street | "An explosion of serious proportions was narrowly averted shortly before five o'clock this morning, when firefighters extinguished a small but fiercely blazing pool of gasoline which threatened to ignite a gasoline-filled tank car in the Bank street railway yards." Yard helper Michael Rantis's clothing caught fire and he put it out by rolling in the snow; nearby freight cars were hauled to safety by an engine driven by Engineer E. Emard, and Yardmaster J. R. Timlin helped fight the blaze. The fire was believed caused by a loose cap on the tank car whose spray reached a brakeman's hot lantern. | Ottawa Citizen 1948-01-07(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1948-01-31≥ | Graham Bay | By 31 January 1948 (the issue date), the paper reported: Two men escaped when "a 12-ton Fournier Storage van plowed into a moving CNR freight train at Graham's Bay" last night, at the railroad crossing intersecting Highway No. 15, about one mile southwest of Britannia. | Ottawa Citizen 1948-01-31(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1948-03-26≥ | Casselman | By 26 March 1948 (the issue date), the paper reported: "The New York-Montreal-Ottawa CNR train due in The Capital at 12.45 p.m. yesterday, pulled into Union Station more than an hour and a half late at 2.20 p.m. The delay was caused by a breakdown of the huge locomotive at Casselman. Passengers waited while an engine was rushed from Ottawa and coupled onto the stranded train." | Ottawa Citizen 1948-03-26(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1948-07-02≤ | Bank Street | From 2 July 1948 (the issue date), the paper announced: Nine special trains were to bring crowds to Ottawa on the morning of 12 July for the centenary of the Carleton County Orange Lodge at Lansdowne Park: "A temporary railway station will be provided at the siding on Carling avenue, west of the Experimental Farm, where King George and Queen Elizabeth stepped from the Royal train nine years ago for their Ottawa visit." | Ottawa Citizen 1948-07-02(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1948-07-09≥ | Arnprior | By 9 July 1948 (the issue date), the paper reported: Robert Moore, 10, of Braeside, "was instantly killed and his father suffered severe head lacerations and shock when a truck smashed into Canadian National eastbound No. 90 passenger train at the Russell street crossing in Arnprior yesterday afternoon." | Ottawa Citizen 1948-07-09(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1948-07-20≤ | Maxville | From 20 July 1948 (the issue date), the paper announced: A special C.N.R. train would leave Ottawa at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday, July 31, for the Highland Games in Maxville, returning from Maxville at 11.30 p.m.; "the return fare on special CNR train is $1.40 and not $2 as announced in a recent advertisement". On 30 July "a strong demand" for tickets was reported, the train leaving Union Station at 10.30 a.m. daylight saving time. | Ottawa Citizen 1948-07-20(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1948-07-30(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1948-08-06 | Graham Bay | Ronald Samuel Sealy, 40, of Montreal, "was critically injured shortly after 9 o'clock this morning when his automobile crashed into a speeding CNR train at the Graham's Bay crossing on Highway 15, some 12 miles west of Ottawa." The locomotive of the train to Barry's Bay was extensively damaged and the train delayed more than an hour until another was sent from Ottawa. The conductor was M. J. Reid, the engineer H. Sheehan. | Ottawa Citizen 1948-08-06(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1948-09-06≥ | Alexandria | By 6 September 1948 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Canadian National Railway transportation and freight services were disrupted for more than seven hours shortly before three o'clock Sunday morning, when an eastbound CNR freight train crashed into the rear of another CNR freight standing in the yards less than a mile from Alexandria station." No one was injured; an empty caboose was demolished and a wrecking crew from Montreal worked until well after 9 p.m. | Ottawa Citizen 1948-09-06(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1948-09-21 | Eastmans | One coach of the C.N.R. passenger train No. 48 from Ottawa to Montreal, which left Ottawa at 8.45 a.m., "partially left the rails at Carlsbad Springs, eight miles from Ottawa, at 9 a.m." The train was not damaged and no one was hurt; the coach was switched on to a siding and the train arrived in Montreal about three hours late. | Ottawa Journal 1948-09-21(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1949-02-01≥ | Arnprior | By 1 February 1949 (the issue date), the paper reported: Two prominent residents "missed death by a narrow margin, when their automobiles collided at two different points in town, with a Canadian National Railways freight train" at noon "yesterday": Percy J. Lindsay's car on Russell street, hit by the train backing east from the local depot, and then J. A. MacKlem's, two blocks away. "This was the fourth railway crossing accident in Arnprior within two weeks." Brakeman Gregory Gaffney leaped from the rear car. | Ottawa Citizen 1949-02-01(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1949-06-30≥ | Casselman | By 30 June 1949 (the issue date), the paper reported: A coroner's jury returned "a verdict of accidental death" "last night" into the level crossing accident of 21 June that killed Onesime Patenaude, 76, and Edmond Tessier, 41, both of Lemieux, Ont.: their light panel truck "was struck by a passenger train on a crossing about 200 feet from the Casselman station". | Ottawa Citizen 1949-06-30(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1949-07-19 | Bank Street | Armand Paquette, 40, "suffered a fractured right leg and injuries to his right arm shortly after 8 a.m. today when the old model coupe in which he was a passenger swerved to avoid an oncoming freight train and straddled a ditch a scant 20 feet from the CNR level crossing at Carling and Kirkwood avenues." The freight, Extra No. 5053, was travelling southwest; the engineer was Patrick Garvey and the conductor John Dumais. | Ottawa Citizen 1949-07-19(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1949-08-03≥ | Rideau Junction | By 3 August 1949 (the issue date), the paper reported: Four young people were hurt when a three-ton truck "struck the side of a Montreal-bound freight train on the River road at Hurdman's Bridge and was hurled twenty-five feet into a gully" shortly after midnight. The truck, driven by Roger Poulin, 21, hit the sixth last car of the 46-car freight, under Conductor Wannamaker and Engineer Miller, and the train continued on its way; it was flagged down at Alexandria in case its brakes were damaged. Fay Young was credited with warning the driver and then getting help. | Ottawa Citizen 1949-08-03(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1950-02-02 | Bank Street | "A trailing brake beam snagged against a switch point, derailed two CNR gondolas laden with anthracite early this morning and hurled them against the steel bulwarks of the Bank street subway bridge." The accident happened shortly after 8.30 as the morning freight from Montreal was about to cross the bridge into the yards; the leading gondola rode up on the centre bulwark and the second rammed the end of the bridge, narrowly missing a fall to the street below. | Ottawa Journal 1950-02-02(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1950-05-08≥ | South Indian | By 8 May 1950 (the issue date), the paper reported: "The Canadian National Railway station at Limoges which was threatened by live embers from the fire, was given some protection by a CNR freight train which was moved up and down the track to ward off the live sparks." | Ottawa Citizen 1950-05-08(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1950-08-22 | Renfrew | People living near the railroad depot at Renfrew found it hard to sleep early in the morning because "there were no haunting noises of the train whistles and the shunting back and forth of freights": "Some 50 men have walked out on strike as did others in stations across Canada." Buses carried the passengers and only first class mail and medicine left the district each afternoon. | Ottawa Citizen 1950-08-22(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1950-08-25≤ | Bank Street | From 25 August 1950 (the issue date), the paper announced: "The 38 flat cars owned by the exhibition show will be made up into a train in Bank street yards and hauled by a CNR engine to the New York Central yards - a distance of about half a mile." During the railway strike only a train crew, a roadmaster, a crossing watchman, two switch tenders and some loaders were ordered back to move the World of Mirth out of Ottawa, according to C.N.R. officials. | Ottawa Journal 1950-08-25(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1951-03-02 | Maxville | "One man was killed and his father miraculously escaped serious injury when the CNR No. 2 flyer from Vancouver smashed into a milk truck at a level crossing here at 9.15 this morning." John Cuillerier, 22, was driving; "both wig-wag and bell signals were working at the crossing". The train, two hours late and not stopping at Maxville, was estimated at 50 to 60 miles an hour; the engineer was Robert J. Eno. | Ottawa Citizen 1951-03-02(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1951-05-11 | Chadiere Junction | Victor Miron, 11, of LeBreton Street, "climbed the 23 foot CNR trestle on Preston Street" with two companions and was struck and killed at 4.40 p.m. by the Ottawa-bound Pembroke Flyer (train No. 9, locomotive No. 5059) crossing the trestle on its way to Union Station; the two others leaped down the embankment. The engineer, Gilbert Orange, was unaware of the accident. | Ottawa Citizen 1951-05-12(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1951-05-26≥ | Chadiere Junction | By 26 May 1951 (the issue date), the paper reported: A coroner's jury found that Victor Miron "met his death by injuries suffered on a railway bridge at Young and Preston Streets", adding "evidence shows the boys were previously warned, and we attach no blame", and recommending more adequate warning signs at such danger spots. The train crew said the train was coasting at ten miles per hour as required within the city, the bell ringing and the whistle silent under a city anti-noise by-law. CNR Chief Constable B. B. Harris said youngsters were constantly warned off the right-of-way. | Ottawa Citizen 1951-05-26(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1951-10-10 | Bank Street | "The Prince and The Princess are here! Her Royal Highness, The Princess Elizabeth... stepped off the Royal Train at 10 a.m. at Island Park Drive with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh." | Ottawa Citizen 1951-10-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1952-01-09≥ | Bank Street | By 9 January 1952 (the issue date), the paper reported: A motorist "crashed through the railway barrier on Bronson Avenue shortly before midnight, missing an oncoming freight by a matter of inches." The railway attendant said the car was travelling north on Bronson just as the guard rails were being lowered; damage to railway property was estimated at $100. | Ottawa Citizen 1952-01-09(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1952-01-25≥ | Bank Street | By 25 January 1952 (the issue date), the paper reported: Jean Paul Chenier swerved his car from the path of a moving freight train "yesterday evening" on Clyde Avenue, Westboro, at 6.10 p.m., but the rear end caught an overhanging step of one of the freight cars and the car was heavily damaged (about $2,000). The engine was No. 2620 under Engineer Fred Hampel. | Ottawa Citizen 1952-01-25(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1952-01-31≥ | Bank Street | By 31 January 1952 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Four CNR freight cars were derailed during switching operations in the Bank Street yards, east of Bronson Avenue, early Saturday evening." The cars were part of a freight train proceeding to Montreal; no one was injured and a wrecking crew worked until 2 a.m. | Ottawa Citizen 1952-01-31(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1952-03-29≥ | Bank Street | By 29 March 1952 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Four CNR freight cars, part of a through freight train proceeding west through Ottawa from Montreal, were derailed during switching operations at Bank Street Yards, just east of the Bronson avenue crossing, Friday night." Superintendent G. T. Dunn said the derailment happened at 7.40 p.m. during "doubling over" of through freight 401; all cars stayed upright and a wrecking crew had cleared it by 2 a.m. | Ottawa Journal 1952-03-29(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1952-04-11 | Vars | Gisele Charbonneau, 11, died and six other children of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Charbonneau of Vars were injured when their panel truck was struck by a speeding westbound C.N.R. freight at the Vars crossing on Good Friday, 11 April; they were on the way to mass at Vars from the family farm 1 1/2 miles away. | Ottawa Citizen 1952-04-12(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1952-05-16(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1952-05-14 | Bank Street | At the Bank Street station "Yardmaster T. J. 'Tom' Drummond inspects the 'proceed' signal that will permit a freight to go through his station. Although the signals are set at the station, the yardmaster must await the message from the dispatcher before signalling movement of trains." A 4,500 ton freight, No. 402, hauled by two diesels, would be in Montreal in less than three hours after leaving the Bank Street Station. | Ottawa Citizen 1952-05-14(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1952-05-16≥ | Vars | By 16 May 1952 (the issue date), the paper reported: A coroner's jury at Rockland found "the failure of truck driver Bernard Charbonneau, 22, to take proper precautions was the reason for a crash at the Canadian National Railways crossing at Vars on April 11". The driver said he was watching an idle freight on a spur line west of the crossing and did not look to the right; the section foreman and station agent said the crossing signal light was working. The verdict was given "last night". | Ottawa Citizen 1952-05-16(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1952-06-11 | Graham Bay | Cecil Woods, 21, "was pronounced dead on arrival at the Civic Hospital" after his empty truck struck train No. 89, proceeding west to Pembroke, at the Graham Bay crossing about 9.11 a.m., half a mile west of Ottawa. The three-car train, travelling about 35 miles an hour and not stopping at the Graham Bay station, halted 150 yards on with a broken steam pipe; a new locomotive was brought and it reached Pembroke about 11. "There is no 'wig-wag' at the crossing but a warning sign is clearly visible." Train No. 89 leaves Union Station at 8.40 a.m. for the Ottawa Valley run. | Ottawa Citizen 1952-06-11(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1952-09-10≥ | Arnprior | By 10 September 1952 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Service on the Canadian National Railways branch line from Ottawa to Pembroke and Barry's Bay was disrupted today as the result of a freight derailment just east of the CNR bridge at Arnprior at 10 o'clock last night." Six cars of a slow-moving ballast freight travelling west jumped the rails just before the bridge; trains were rerouted via Beachburg. | Ottawa Journal 1952-09-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1952-09-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1952-10-07 | Barrys Bay | "Daily Highlight: Policeman, doctor, priest, taxi drivers, everyone turns out to meet the noon train from Ottawa at Barry's Bay. Engine 5072 pulls in with two express cars and passenger coach, brings mail and parcels, turns on 'Y', and heads back to Ottawa." | Ottawa Citizen 1952-10-07(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1953-05-06≥ | Alexandria | By 6 May 1953 (the issue date), the paper reported: Albert Vaillancourt, 43, "died instantly last night when his car collided with a CNR freight train at a level crossing in Alexandria" at 11.05 p.m. The eastbound freight was pulling out of a siding; "with the train on a siding... the automatic electric warning signals were not in operation" and skid marks showed for 66 feet. | Ottawa Citizen 1953-05-06(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1953-06-24≥ | South Indian | By 24 June 1953 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Ontario Provincial Police apprehended three men yesterday in connection with an afternoon break-in of the CNR station at Limoges, Ont. Less than $25 was reported stolen." Station agent Albert Bessette noticed the money missing on his return from lunch. | Ottawa Journal 1953-06-24(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1953-12-04≥ | Eganville | By 4 December 1953 (the issue date), the paper reported: August Vituski, about 30, of Cormac, "was seriously injured when the car he was driving was struck by a CNR freight train at a level crossing one mile west of here last evening" in heavy fog, at about 8.30 p.m.; the westbound freight was Extra No. 2567 under Engineer John Harper. | Ottawa Citizen 1953-12-04(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1953-12-10 | Bank Street | "When the new cross-town super highway is built, it will parallel one railway track of the Canadian National Railway, alongside the old right of way." The Federal District Commission said both the highway and one cross-town track would be left "as long as the CNR has railway-yards and industries to serve in the west end of town"; the highway "starts out near Graham's Bay station". "The railway tracks will only function through the center of town and as a service to industries located along the rails." | Ottawa Citizen 1953-12-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1954-05-11 | Bank Street | A 1930 coupe pushed by a friend's car was caught by "a crack CNR trans-continental flyer" at "the CNR Echo Drive crossing, near Hawthorne Avenue" shortly after midnight. The 14-coach train, pushed by locomotive No. 6074 (Engineer Albert Bates), "was only backing up slowly" toward "the CNR switches at the Bank Street yard" and pushed the car 95 feet along the rails; the driver, Morris Lepage, 18, was unhurt. A CNR signalman was waving his red lantern at the crossing. | Ottawa Citizen 1954-05-11(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1954-08-13≥ | Bank Street | By 13 August 1954 (the issue date), the paper reported: Miss Beverly Walker's brakes failed "yesterday evening" and, to avoid "crashing through the lowered CNR gates at the Bronson Avenue crossing", she swerved over the sidewalk into the side of the signal house; damage was $150 to the car and about $50 to C.N.R. property. A freight train was about to start backing up at the crossing. | Ottawa Citizen 1954-08-13(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1954-11-25≥ | Renfrew | By 25 November 1954 (the issue date), the paper reported: Joe Cartier, 18, "escaped with minor abrasions when he was thrown to the road as the three-ton truck he was driving hit the side of the engine" of an eastbound train at "the CNR crossing at the south end of Raglan Street" about 2 p.m. yesterday; the truck was thrown against an automatic signal. Damage was about $600 to the truck, $200 to the engine and $200 to the signal. | Ottawa Citizen 1954-11-25(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1954-12-21≥ | Carp | By 21 December 1954 (the issue date), the paper reported: A C.N.R. mixed freight struck a tractor-trailer loaded with beer at the C.N.R. level crossing at Carp at 6.15 p.m. "last night"; the driver, William Giles of Montreal, was hurt, the $10,000 tractor was wrecked, but the trailer of beer was undamaged. The train was travelling east, locomotive No. 2524, Engineer George O'Connor. | Ottawa Citizen 1954-12-21(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1955 | Bank Street | The C.N.R. "transferred its freight marshalling operations from the old Bank Street yards to the new Walkley Road yards on the Capital's southern fringe" in 1955, and "the right-of-way of the old CNR crosstown tracks was then made available for a start last fall on the construction of the Queensway", a $31,000,000 east-west limited access highway. | Ottawa Citizen 1958-04-17(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1955-01-26 | Kinburn | Murray Findlay "escaped serious injury when a truck he was driving was struck by a CNR freight train at the level crossing in Kinburn", thrown out and shaken up; the bags of grain he was taking to the Leo Cotton elevator were scattered along the roadway. | Ottawa Citizen 1955-01-26(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1955-04-14≥ | Moose Creek | By 14 April 1955 (the issue date), the paper reported: Fire "last night levelled the CNR station on the Ottawa-Montreal main line here, destroying some baggage and express parcels and railroad telegraphy equipment"; "Four hours later an old abandoned one room shack was also destroyed by fire near the village." The Citizen says it broke out at 11 o'clock and damaged rails and disrupted telegraph communications between Ottawa and Montreal; trains were routed over a passing track. The fire was believed to have started in the station freight room, and a temporary structure was to be erected at once. The station agent was Armand Poulin. | Ottawa Journal 1955-04-14(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1955-04-14(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1955-04-28≥ | Glasgow | By 28 April 1955 (the issue date), the paper reported: Four men were killed and two hurt "as the result of a car-train collision nine miles east of" Renfrew "on Highway 17 and the CNR line yesterday afternoon", shortly after 2 p.m.: the car was struck in mid-section by the engine of "a passenger train running from Barry's Bay to Ottawa", due in Ottawa at 4.50, and tossed 60 feet into the ditch. A slight rise adjacent to the tracks partly blocks the view for 50 to 60 feet. The engineer was M. J. Gaffney. | Ottawa Citizen 1955-04-28(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1955-06-10≥ | Ottawa | By 10 June 1955 (the issue date), the paper reported: Centralized traffic control "went into effect on Thursday afternoon" in a room at the Union Station, a joint project of the Federal District Commission and the C.N.R.: "some 28 miles of railway track in the Ottawa terminals are now all controlled from this panel", covering a triangle bounded by Riverside, Hawthorne and Federal and extending to South March; the first train brought in under it was No. 2, the Super Continental, from Bells Corners. The installation cost a million dollars; the operator was J. R. Sine. | Ottawa Citizen 1955-06-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1955-06-10≥ | Bank Street | By 10 June 1955 (the issue date), the paper reported: The new control system "is an integral part of the FDC current railway location project to transfer CNR yard operations from the cross town tracks to new yards along the Walkley Road at the southern edge of the Capital", and the cross-town right of way "is being utilized for a crosstown limited access highway, the 'Queensway'". Superintendent G. T. Dunn said about 20 crews would work from the Walkley Road terminals; the new yard office might be ready by August 1, moving about 25 men. | Ottawa Citizen 1955-06-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1955-07-18 | Maxville | Advance 401, a C.N.R. freight of 32 cars from Montreal, "thundered through an open switch at the station and turned over" at Maxville at 11.35 p.m. on Monday: the 250 ton locomotive No. 6101 plowed through the yard cinders, smashed through a coal and feed storage shed, and came to rest tilted half buried; 24 cars were demolished. The five-man crew escaped unhurt, Engineer Thomas Bradley having shut off steam; some 25 pigs in a car on a siding were killed. Damage was put at $250,000; the main line was blocked, a passing track kept traffic moving, and Superintendent G. T. Dunn investigated. | Ottawa Citizen 1955-07-19(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Journal 1955-07-19(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Glengarry News 1955-07-21(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1955-09-06≥ | South March | By 6 September 1955 (the issue date), the paper reported: John A. Greer, 81, of City View, "died in Civic Hospital Sunday of multiple injuries and shock sustained Saturday when a C.N.R. freight train demolished his car at Bells Corners" at about 5 p.m.; his car stalled on the track as he crossed on the 4th concession road, and two girl passengers ordered out by him escaped. The train was a freight from Barrys Bay to Ottawa, Engineer Daniel McCarthy, Conductor Russell Conly. | Ottawa Citizen 1955-09-06(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1955-12-23≥ | Arnprior | By 23 December 1955 (the issue date), the paper reported: Three members of the town construction crew "had a narrow escape when the nine-ton truck in which they were driving piled into a westbound extra freight, at the Canadian National Railways John Street level crossing about five p.m. yesterday"; the truck slid on the icy road and was carried some 120 feet. Damage was $1,000. | Ottawa Citizen 1955-12-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1955-12-24≥ | Barrys Bay | By 24 December 1955 (the issue date), the paper reported: Raymond Gutoskie, 36, of Barry's Bay, was dead on arrival at hospital after his brand-new 1956 car "was struck by a CNR way-freight" on a county road between Highways 60 and 62; three other men were hurt. The train was travelling west under Engineer Daniel McCarthy. | Ottawa Citizen 1955-12-24(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1956-06-07≥ | Arnprior | By 7 June 1956 (the issue date), the paper reported: A school bus, a C.N.R. freight train and a loaded gravel truck were involved in "a three-way level crossing crash here yesterday afternoon" at 4 o'clock: the engine of the backing train caught the rear of the truck, which was thrown against the school bus waiting at the crossing; no one was hurt. The truck driver apparently did not see the train because a house obscured his view; the engineer was Michael Gaffney. | Ottawa Citizen 1956-06-07(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1956-09-11≥ | Alexandria | By 11 September 1956 (the issue date), the paper reported: Two persons "escaped with minor injuries when their car rammed into the side of a freight train one mile east of here yesterday morning." | Ottawa Citizen 1956-09-11(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1956-11-17 | Vars | More than 1,000 children and adults left Union Station at 8.30 a.m. on an 18-coach C.N.R. special, the "Freiman Special", to a "mystery rendezvous" at Vars on the C.N.R. main line to Montreal, where Santa Claus arrived by helicopter and rode back to Ottawa through the coaches, the train reaching Union Station at 10.40. It was the first time in Ottawa's history that a special train had been chartered for such a purpose; the C.N.R. had 16 railway police and traffic staff aboard. The Citizen of 19 November counts 1,400 children. | Ottawa Citizen 1956-11-17(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1956-11-19(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1957 | Joe Lake | Hotel Algonquin and station destroyed by fire. | Wright(thanks to Jeffrey Smith) |
| 1957-01-18 | Bank Street | Orville Thomas Ryan, 30, a C.N.R. yardman, "died this morning after he was run over and dragged by a diesel engine and four oil tank cars in the Britannia Yards near Duke Street", at about 9 a.m., 50 feet east of the No. 2 switch; he was dragged almost 500 feet. His brother Kenneth Ryan, also a C.N.R. employee, was killed in a similar accident near the Laurier Avenue Bridge in the summer of 1954. | Ottawa Citizen 1957-01-18(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1957-01-29≥ | Ottawa East | By 29 January 1957 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Suppertime traffic passing through Ottawa East was tied up for more than 30 minutes late yesterday afternoon when the crack CNR transcontinental flyer stalled on the tracks across Main Street and Echo Drive": the brakes of the diesel locomotive seized up as the Montreal-bound train was crossing the two streets, at 3.22 p.m.; an emergency crew repaired them by 3.46. | Ottawa Citizen 1957-01-29(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1957-08-28 | Bank Street | John Paul Lanthier, 26, was critically hurt in "a truck-train crash at the CNR crossing on the Merivale Road shortly before 10 o'clock this morning" when his five-ton sand truck ran "directly into the back of a passing diesel locomotive pulling a freight train bound from Ottawa to Barry's Bay"; the truck was hurled across the highway. "The crossing has no warning signal", and had been the scene of several accidents including a fatal crash about a year earlier. The engineer was Tom Bradley. | Ottawa Citizen 1957-08-28(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1957-11-18≥ | Vars | By 18 November 1957 (the issue date), the paper reported: About 2,000 adults and children travelled on "the special CNR train to Vars" on Saturday morning to welcome Santa Claus, who arrived by Spartan Air Services helicopter; the C.N.R. ran a 20-coach train and it was back at Union Station at 10.30 for the official welcome. By coincidence Governor-General Vincent Massey's private cars arrived on a regular train at the same moment. G. T. Dunn was in charge of the train. | Ottawa Citizen 1957-11-18(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1957-11-26(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1957-12-07≥ | Bank Street | By 7 December 1957 (the issue date), the paper reported: Four airmen were injured "last night in a grinding car-train collision at a crossing on Echo Drive near Hawthorne Avenue"; a CNR signalman waving his lantern narrowly missed being struck. The slow-moving locomotive, under Engineer Ronald Pritchard, caused $600 damage; poor lighting and a light snow contributed. | Ottawa Citizen 1957-12-07(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1958-01-09 | Vars | Aurele Surprenant, 25, "leaped from his 1950 auto seconds before it skidded into the side of the fast-moving CNR Continental in the heart of Vars, 20 mile east of Ottawa"; the train did not stop, and chunks of the car's engine were carried almost half a mile. | Ottawa Citizen 1958-01-09(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1958-01-27≥ | Ottawa East | By 27 January 1958 (the issue date), the paper reported: Achille Laramee, 54, "was instantly killed at 4.20 p.m. Saturday when struck by a shunting train at the CNR yards near the Ottawa East round house", as a C.N.R. diesel, driven by Phillip Button, pushed two dayliner coaches from the yard; employees riding in front of the first coach called a warning and the bell was sounding. | Ottawa Citizen 1958-01-27(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
| 1958-11-17≥ | Vars | By 17 November 1958 (the issue date), the paper reported: More than 1,500 children and about 500 adults "boarded a special train which took them to Vars to welcome the jolly old saint" on Saturday; "Pulling the long train was engine No. 6206 a big, ancient steam locomotive like those which have hauled the Santa Claus Special the past two years." Nearly 5,000 cookies and 2,500 soft drinks were served aboard, and Santa walked through the 21 coaches on the way back. The Citizen of 14 November announced the special, 18 cars, leaving Union Station at 8.45 a.m. | Ottawa Citizen 1958-11-17(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1958-11-14(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |