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81 facts
| Date | Statement | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1892-06-30 | A collision occurred between a Canada Atlantic freight train and electric car No. 23 at the crossing: the train, going down to the Chaudiere, stopped at the crossing, and the cars reversed on the rebound. Churcher's entry is terse and paraphrased rather than a verbatim clipping (no quotation marks in the transcription). | Ottawa Journal 1892-06-30(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1893-06-15 | Shunting engine No. 2 of the C.A.R., making a flying shunt, sent cars flying through the oil office of W.S.D. Morris, completely wrecking it, cutting a telegraph pole in two and smashing a swing gate on one side; only the iron standards supporting the swing bars across Bank street prevented oil from being spilled. No one was injured. | Ottawa Free Press 1893-06-15(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1893-09-29 | To accommodate the increase in freights on the Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound railway since its opening, two long sidings, each over five hundred yards long, were constructed just west of Bank street, laid on either side of the main line, a great deal of filling being needed because of the elevation of the track there. On September 15 a long siding was also reported being built east of Bank street in the C.A.R. yard. | Ottawa Free Press 1893-09-29(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Journal 1893-09-15(Siding east of Bank street. Transcribed by Colin J...) | |
| 1893-12-07 | A derailment in the Bank Street yard put the C.A.R. official car and engine No. 2 off the track: the official car was smashed in at one end, and a yardman, Paul Brennan, dislocated a shoulder. | Ottawa Journal 1893-12-07(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1896-01-10 | At the Bank street level crossing the O.A. & P.S. company has improved the protecting arms which swing across the roadway when a train is coming by putting on a similar attachment to stop the approach of pedestrians on the sidewalks. | Ottawa Free Press 1896-01-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1899-09-16 | The Canada Atlantic railway is arranging to put in a new siding on its line between Bank and Concession streets, owing to the large traffic at that point. It will also be used by the Bellhouse Dillon Co. which proposes to erect an establishment near Concession street in connection with the paving business which it is carrying on. The new siding is also likely to have the effect of relieving the congested state of traffic in the yard above Stewarton and may somewhat lessen the traffic across Bank street. | Ottawa Citizen 1899-09-16(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1899-11-03 | An effort will be made shortly by the residents of the southern section of the city to have a local station established on the Parry Sound railway at Bank street. At present the people of this district are put to a great deal of inconvenience by being carried past their destination down to the Central depot. ... They intend, therefore, to petition the Canada Atlantic company at an early date to have a depot erected as indicated. Proposal only. | Ottawa Citizen 1899-11-03(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1900-10-18 | A fatal accident occurred at the Canada Atlantic Railway crossing, Concession street, early yesterday morning. While Mr. James Killeen of Eganville, a cousin of Constable Killen, was crossing the Canada Atlantic at the said crossing, he was struck by a train and terribly mangled. ... Deceased was employed by the Dominion Bridge Company, on the Interprovincial bridge. No site entity for Concession Street; filed on Ottawa. James Killeen, aged 28, of Brudenell/Eganville. | Ottawa Journal 1900-10-19(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Almonte Gazette 1900-10-26(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1900-10-19(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1902-01-20 | Bank Street Subway. A question of Double Tracking Canada Atlantic prompts city engineer Ker to write a letter to the Board of Works. The sale of the Canada Atlantic railway and the probability of parts of it being double tracked brings to the fore again the question of a subway at Bank street to obviate the obstruction to general traffic as well as that of the street railway at that point. Mr. Ker wrote: 'I am informed that owing to the recent transfer, the Canada Atlantic railway crossing on Bank street will be double tracked and have a much larger volume of traffic in the near future... I think it would be advisable to take up the question of the Bank street subway with the different railway companies interested.' 'I suppose nothing can be done with this until the N.Y.C. formally takes over the road,' observed Chairman Davidson. | Ottawa Citizen 1902-01-20(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1902-11-27 | By rail to the Exhibition. Canada Atlantic to build a line. It will run from Concession Street along the ravine to Bank Street. The Central Canada Exhibition Association has completed arrangements for the laying of a track to the vicinity of the grounds from the terminals of the Canada Atlantic in the lumber piles at Concession Street, near the corner of Muchmore Street. The branch will run from Concession along the foot of the hill to a point about opposite the end of Lyon Street and about one hundred yards from the Bank Street entrance to the grounds. It is estimated that the branch will cost about $7,000. The laying of the road and the furnishing of the material will be done by the Canada Atlantic Railway, but they will have to be paid a rental over and above the revenue to be derived from the branch. The revenue from shipping will be about $300 per year and the extension of the line will cost the Association about $200. The distance from the terminus to the cattle stables will be about four hundred yards. | Ottawa Journal 1902-11-27(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1903-09-17 | Car No. 222 of the O.E.R. crashed through the gates and into a freight train standing on the Bank Street crossing this morning at 7.40. The motorman said the rails were greasy. | Ottawa Journal 1903-09-17(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1906-05-22 | There is a rumour going the rounds which is understood to be well founded that the Grand Trunk Railway will build a suburban station at the Bank Street crossing of the company. Also that the GTR freight sheds in the canal basin will be removed when the big new Union station is erected and that the space thus left will be used for extra passenger tracks and sidings. | Ottawa Journal 1906-05-22(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1906-05-25 | Break Beam Dropped. The breaking of a brake beam caused the derailment of two freight cars on the Grand Trunk Railway crossing at Bank Street and for a while traffic across the street was to some extent impeded. A freight train was shunting in the Stewarton yard and a short distance east of Bank Street a brake beam on one of the cars dropped down and dragged across the ties; just as the car was going over the electric railway tracks at Bank Street the brake beam caught a wheel and the two cars left the track, veering up endwise, the rear of one crashing into the front of the other. The electric cars could not get past the obstacle, so passengers going east were transferred only as far as the GTR tracks. A passenger train from Parry Sound could not run in on the main line, but another engine and car took its passengers down to the Central depot. Dated to the afternoon before the 1906-05-26 issue that reported it. A shorter item at the same tag/location dated 1906-05-01, 'Article and drawing "Brake Beam Dropped Down"', appears to be a caption reference to this same event or its illustration, not a separate incident. | Ottawa Journal 1906-05-26(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1906-08-24 | GTR purchasing land for Bank Street subway. | Ottawa Journal 1906-08-24(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1906-09-10 | The Bank Street subway has just been made ready in time to have the crowds for the Central Canada Exhibition properly handled. This work has been necessary for years and will prove a boon. Churcher's file notes the item included a photograph looking from the south, not transcribed here. | Ottawa Journal 1906-09-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1907-05-13 | Car trucks leave rails when crossing the temporary bridge over the Bank Street subway. The material for the new steel bridge is all ready to be placed in position. | Ottawa Journal 1907-05-13(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1907-06-21 | Improvements are now being made at the Ottawa yards of the Grand Trunk railway. Men are engaged relocating the main line through Bank and Elgin street yards preparatory to replacing the trestles at Bank street subway. It is expected that the work, including the replacing of the trestle, will take about two weeks. | Ottawa Journal 1907-06-21(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1907-07-08 | The GTR expects to have the permanent bridge at the Bank street subway in place this day week. The temporary adjustment will put the company to about $700 additional outlay, the total expenditure on the work being about $6,000. The magnitude of the work may be gathered from the fact that in the readjustment of the trackage 21,000 feet of rails and 50 switches will be required. The company hopes to begin next Saturday night to place the permanent bridge and see the work completed by the next morning. | Ottawa Journal 1907-07-08(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1907-07-15 | Bridge now ready over subway. The Grand Trunk Railway Company has now finished its work on the Bank St. subway. Operations began on Saturday night, and the work was rushed until completed. Cars were running over it the next afternoon. The railway officials say that it now only remains for the city and the electric company to do their part of the work. | Ottawa Journal 1907-07-15(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1907-10-20 | The Grand Trunk Railway has just about completed the entire re-arrangement of four miles of tracks in their yards at Concession Street. Some of the tracks have been raised considerably. While the work has been under way shunting had been impeded somewhat at times, but in a few days all of the sidings will be open and the work of moving trains will be greatly lessened by the new arrangement of the yard. | Ottawa Journal 1907-10-20(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1921-01-18≥ | By 18 January 1921 (the issue date), the paper reported: Mr. Albert H. Harvey, "a man about 60 years old, was killed shortly before noon today by the incoming Pembroke train near Rochester street crossing of the Grand Trunk railway." Harvey "was very deaf, and was walking on the track. He apparently did not hear the whistle or the electric bell at the crossing". An inquest was called for that night. Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Rochester Street crossing. | Ottawa Citizen 1921-01-18(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1921-01-26≥ | By 26 January 1921 (the issue date), the paper reported: "The G. T. Railway Company and train crew in charge of the train that killed the late A. H. Harvey on Jan. 18th at the Rochester street crossing, Ottawa, were absolved from blame at the inquest held last night at the police station by Coroner J. E. Craig." The verdict was that Harvey came to his death "due to him being struck by G. T. Railway train No. 58 at the Rochester street crossing, which was accidental. In all probability the fatality was due to the fact that the deceased was deaf." Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Rochester Street crossing. Follows the 18 January 1921 death. | Ottawa Citizen 1921-01-26(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1921-09-20≥ | By 20 September 1921 (the issue date), the paper reported: The proposed level crossing of the Ottawa Improvement Driveway, later FDC Drive, now Island Park Drive, "at the GTR/CNR was opposed by the Grand Trunk Railway (formerly CAR). (CP opposed the same crossing, both railways wanting an overpass). This is the site of the current overpass on the Queensway at Island Park Drive." Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Island Park Drive (Driveway) road crossing. | Churcher https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1921.pdf(Churcher's own summary, filed under the Ottawa Jou...) | |
| 1921-11-15 | The application of the Ottawa Commercial Travelers Association for an order directing the Grand Trunk Railway "to stop two trains from the West, numbers 58 and 52, at the Bank Street yard office to allow passengers to alight, was heard before the railway commission this forenoon. The hearing was practically concluded. The board adjourned the case for one month to allow the Grand Trunk to make a check during that period of the number of passengers who would stop off at the point mentioned." The Grand Trunk opposed it; the Citizen describes the application as one for the Grand Trunk to stop incoming trains on the Parry Sound and Pembroke divisions at the Bank Street yard. | Ottawa Journal 1921-11-15(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1921-11-15(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1921-12-03≥ | By 3 December 1921 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Board of Railway Commissioners approves level crossing of Grand Trunk and the Driveway, but there must be wigwags on both sides of the tracks." Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Driveway (Island Park Drive) crossing. | Ottawa Journal 1921-12-03(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1922-01-26≥ | By 26 January 1922 (the issue date), the paper reported: The Board of Railway Commissioners refused the application for the Grand Trunk's through trains to stop at the Bank Street yard office: "There will be no railway station ion Bank street at the G. T. Ry. crossing near the subway." Chief Commissioner Carvell's judgment said the company had taken a census of the traffic for a month (16 November to 15 December) and that "the Central Station, which now accommodates all passenger trains, is centrally located, and I think it would be a great mistake to establish stations elsewhere in the city". Train 58 carried 147 commercial travellers' tickets, 1,044 other paying tickets and 51 passes; train 52 carried 252, 940 and 173. Follows the 15 November 1921 hearing. The judgment is reported as already given ("has now been refused"), so dated at or before the issue. | Ottawa Citizen 1922-01-26(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1922-05-29≥ | By 29 May 1922 (the issue date), the paper reported: "A broken axle on Grand Trunk train No. 52 occasioned some inconvenience to passengers on the train early Saturday evening, as a result of which they had to transfer to other coaches at the Bank street yards. The break occurred at 6.40 o'clock standard time, Saturday evening, as the train was pulling into the Bank street yards." The train, which makes the run from Depot Harbor to Ottawa, was about 10 minutes late. The Citizen credits the fireman with noticing the broken axle and stopping the G.T.R. express from Pembroke. The Journal places the break at the Bank street yards; the Citizen places it near the Nepean yards of J. R. Booth Ltd., near the Holland avenue viaduct. The operator confirmed the Bank Street yards as correct. | Ottawa Journal 1922-05-29(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1922-05-29(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1922-07-11≥ | By 11 July 1922 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Investigation this morning showed that the derailment of two Canadian National Railway freight cars near the Bowesville Road crossing at 1.11 last evening was caused by a brake fitting becoming loose and catching in the cattle guards. The cars were replaced on the rails later in the evening and taken to the Ottawa yards." Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Bowesville Road crossing. | Ottawa Journal 1922-07-11(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1922-09-07≥ | By 7 September 1922 (the issue date), the paper reported: Clement Davis's buggy "was struck by an east-bound G.T.R. freight train at the Parkdale avenue crossing", the train drawn by engine number 1645; he "escaped with a few scratches". The crossing bell was ringing. Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Parkdale Avenue crossing. | Ottawa Citizen 1922-09-07(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1923-06-23≥ | By 23 June 1923 (the issue date), the paper reported: Robert Innis and Richard B. Smith were hurt in a collision between their motor car and "the Depot Harbour-Ottawa train, at the Canadian National Railway crossing at Bayswater avenue, which occurred at 7.30 o'clock last evening." The engine carried the car "about 250 feet along the rails". "The railway crossing at Bayswater avenue is a level crossing, but there is no signal bell to warn of the approach of a train." Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Bayswater Avenue crossing. Later items date the accident 22 June. | Ottawa Citizen 1923-06-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1923-06-25≥ | By 25 June 1923 (the issue date), the paper reported: Robert H. Innes of 931 Wellington street, injured when the Depot Harbor-Ottawa train struck the auto he was in at the Bayswater avenue crossing on Friday evening, "passed away on Saturday night at a local hospital." The coroner opened an inquest on Sunday afternoon and adjourned it until Tuesday evening, July 3. Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Bayswater Avenue crossing. Follows the accident of 22 June 1923. | Ottawa Citizen 1923-06-25(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1923-07-04≥ | By 4 July 1923 (the issue date), the paper reported: A coroner's jury returned "a verdict of accidental death with a rider to the effect that a hedge obstructing a clear view of the right of way should be clipped" in the death of Robert H. Innes, who died after the auto he was riding in "was struck by a C.N.R. train on June 22nd at the crossing at Bayswater avenue". The jury also advised that a warning bell be installed. The engineer said he was running at about 15 miles per hour and had sounded the whistle. Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Bayswater Avenue crossing. The inquest was held "last evening". | Ottawa Citizen 1923-07-04(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1923-09-13 | Joseph Astpect of Westboro "had a narrow escape from death when his buggy and horse were hit by C.N.R. train on the Carling Ave. crossing at an early hour this morning, near Bellevue Park." The buggy was smashed and the horse killed; he was only slightly injured. Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Carling Avenue crossing. | Ottawa Citizen 1923-09-13(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1923-10-30≤ | From 30 October 1923 (the issue date), the paper announced: "At the Board of Railway Commissioners on Tuesday next, there will come up the matter of protection at Bayswater avenue, Ottawa West, where same is crossed by the Canadian National Railway tracks." Mr. H. K. Carruthers of the Ottawa Board of Trade considered that the only satisfactory safeguard would be a wig-wag system. Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Bayswater Avenue crossing. An announcement of a hearing to come. | Ottawa Citizen 1923-10-30(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1924-03-19 | A Carleton county jury "dismissed the action which had been brought by Mr. Richard B. Smith, owner of the motor car, against the C.N.R., for $5,000 damages", holding that the Canadian National Railway had not been negligent in the accident at the level crossing at Bayswater avenue. Smith had claimed that a hedge on the company's right of way obscured the view. Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Bayswater Avenue crossing. The item says the collision was "on July 22nd last"; the 1923 reports give 22 June. | Ottawa Citizen 1924-03-19(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1924-06-02≥ | By 2 June 1924 (the issue date), the paper reported: A motor truck was struck "by a west-bound passenger train at the C.N.R. Rochester street crossing on Saturday evening"; Thomas Hill of Westboro "miraculously escaped with scalp wounds and his wife uninjured". The train was the Canadian National Pembroke-Ottawa train; the truck's 300 gallon oil tank was dragged about 75 yards, and the locomotive had reached the trestle over Preston street when the hose was taken off its fender. The C.N.R. office said the whistle was sounded and the crossing's electric bell was ringing. Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Rochester Street crossing. | Ottawa Citizen 1924-06-02(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1925-07-08≥ | By 8 July 1925 (the issue date), the paper reported: "In a collision with a C.N.R. freight train at the Young street crossing yesterday afternoon two occupants of an auto... narrowly escaped serious injury." The crossing is "close to Preston street"; "There are no gates at the crossing as traffic is not heavy at this point." Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Young Street crossing. | Ottawa Citizen 1925-07-08(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1926-11-25 | "Records of the Board of Railway Commission are being searched today on behalf of the City Engineer's Department to learn if permission has been granted the Canadian National Railways to extend their track facing on Isabella Street... The existing railway siding on Isabella street was laid years ago and apparently without any opposition from the city. The company now proposes to extend it from O'Connor street to Bank, a distance of about 400 feet, crossing no street intersections". Filed on Bank Street on the assumption that the Isabella Street siding between O'Connor and Bank streets is part of the Bank Street yard (inference; the item does not say so). | Ottawa Journal 1926-11-25(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1927-09-08≥ | By 8 September 1927 (the issue date), the paper reported: J. A. Bowser "had a narrow escape late yesterday afternoon when he attempted to drive his motor car across the main line level crossing of the C.N.R. on Carling avenue"; the rear of his car was caught by the engine of a freight train. Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Carling Avenue crossing. | Ottawa Citizen 1927-09-08(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1928-02-07 | "Mr. Romeo J. St. Denis, 425 Clarence street... was critically injured about eleven thirty o'clock this morning when a combined truck and roadster Chevrolet car which he was driving was struck by the incoming C.N.Ry Pembroke train at the Parkdale avenue level crossing." The car was carried several hundred feet along the track; the engineer said the wigwag signal was operating and the bell sounding. Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Parkdale Avenue crossing. | Ottawa Citizen 1928-02-07(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1930-09-02≥ | By 2 September 1930 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Jumping from their auto when it stalled on the C.N.R. crossing on Parkdale avenue, in front of an oncoming train, on Saturday evening, two Ottawans Wilfred Murray... and Miss Agnes Erwin... both escaped injury. The car, which was struck by the caboose of the train, which was backing up, was thrown clear of the rail and badly damaged." Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Parkdale Avenue crossing. Churcher tags this one Chaudiere. | Ottawa Citizen 1930-09-02(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1931-04-24 | Two Bell Telephone employees "had a miraculous escape from serious injury or death at about 8 o'clock this morning when the truck in which they were driving to repair trouble on the Bell Telephone lines on Carling avenue collided with the C.N.R. Ottawa-Scotia train at the level crossing on Carling avenue, just beyond the city limits." Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Carling Avenue crossing. | Ottawa Citizen 1931-04-24(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1932-01-07 | William McDermott, 39, "commenced walking alongside the Canadian National Railway tracks near the Bronson avenue crossing" about 10 o'clock this morning, "unmindful of the approaching engine and freight cars", slipped and fell in the path of the freight train; "grabbed hold of the couplers at the rear of the freight car" and was carried about 100 feet, unhurt. The train was going about five miles an hour. Filed on Bank Street at the operator's direction, who says Bronson is near it; the item names the Bronson Avenue crossing. | Ottawa Citizen 1932-01-07(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1933-10-07≥ | By 7 October 1933 (the issue date), the paper reported: Betty Eleanor Milks, aged two, "clambered to the top of the Canadian National Railway's embankment at the rear of her home at 32 Edgar street, where she was struck and killed by the Pembroke-bound passenger train of the C.N.R. which left the Union Station in Ottawa at 3.45 o'clock on Saturday afternoon." Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the C.N.R. tracks at the rear of a home on Edgar Street, near the Fairmont Avenue crossing (per the 12 October item). | Ottawa Citizen 1933-10-07(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1933-10-12≥ | By 12 October 1933 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Death was accidental and no blame attached to the Canadian National Railways or the engineer of the C.N.R. Ottawa-Pembroke train, was the verdict at the inquest last evening at the police station into the death of Betty Eleanor Milks, three-year old daughter of George E. Milks, 32 Edgar street." She was killed "just back of her home near the Fairmont avenue crossing". Coroner J. E. Craig presided; the engineer was W. G. Cooper. Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Fairmont Avenue crossing. Follows the death of 7 October 1933; the ages differ (two, three) between the two items. | Ottawa Citizen 1933-10-12(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1934-01-02≥ | By 2 January 1934 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Additional section men were called out soon after the commencement of the storm on Sunday evening to keep the Bank street yard open for trains. The section men experienced great difficulty in operating the switches and walking was risky for the men as the sleet soon made a glare sheet of ice in the yards. Several of the sidings were rendered impassable and all day yesterday men worked with pick and shovels clearing these tracks." The same item covers other places, filed separately. | Ottawa Citizen 1934-01-02(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1934-08-18≤ | From 18 August 1934 (the issue date), the paper announced: "Late this evening a long train of double length railroad cars will pull into the Canadian National yards and the unloading of the eighty seven wagons carrying the show equipment will start immediately." The World of Mirth Shows were to provide the midway at the Ottawa Exhibition opening on Monday morning. An announcement of a train to come. Filed on Bank Street because Churcher places it there; the item says only "the Canadian National yards". | Ottawa Citizen 1934-08-18(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1934-11-05≥ | By 5 November 1934 (the issue date), the paper reported: George Jiasson, 40, of Toronto, "attempted to board a freight train while it was crossing the Bank street subway about eight o'clock Saturday night" and "fell between a box car and the side of the bridge, suffering a cut to the side of his head and a fracture of the left rib." Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Bank Street subway. | Ottawa Citizen 1934-11-05(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1935-07-05 | Three special trains of the Cole Bros.-Clyde Beatty Circus reached Ottawa several hours late, too late for the street parade. "The train arrived at the Bank street yard of the C.N.R. at 10.14 and within half an hour it had been broken into sections and was placed on the sidings at Plouffe Park. The train came from Brockville via Coteau Junction." The circus said the trains had been routed "on a round about way" because of the many low bridges on the main line between Ottawa and Brockville, and a hot box delayed the train at Cornwall. | Ottawa Citizen 1935-07-05(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Journal 1935-07-05(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1935-08-09≥ | By 9 August 1935 (the issue date), the paper reported: In reply to a protest that shunting and the stopping of cattle cars "in the Isabella street yard of the C.N. Rly. were creating a nuisance in the district", I. C. Rand, K.C., counsel for the railway, wrote that two hours was the limit for keeping cattle on the sidings and that "while switching could not be done without noise it had to be done". Mayor Nolan said one cause of the noise was "flying shunting". Filed on Bank Street on the assumption that the Isabella Street yard is the Bank Street yard (inference; as with the Isabella Street siding of 1926). | Ottawa Citizen 1935-08-09(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1936-05-19 | "Mayor Lewis has received complaints as to the prevalence of shunting of trains in the Bank street railway yards during the night. The C.N. Rly. some time ago agreed to reduce the night shunting to an absolute minimum but residents in the district say the nuisance is now more common. An appeal will likely be made to the minister of railways." | Ottawa Citizen 1936-05-19(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1939-03-01≤ | 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". Filed on Bank Street because the operator files the Island Park Drive road crossing there; the item names the C.N.R. crossing of Island Park Drive. An announcement of a visit to come. | 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≤ | 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. Filed on Bank Street because the operator files the Island Park Drive road crossing there; the item names the C.N.R. crossing of Island Park Drive. A plan, not a report of the platform built. | Ottawa Journal 1939-04-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1939-05-20≥ | 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". Filed on Bank Street because the operator files the Island Park Drive road crossing there; the item names the C.N.R. crossing of Island Park Drive. Dated by the issue ("yesterday morning"), so the royal arrival of 17 May 1939 is not itself stated as a date in this item. | Ottawa Citizen 1939-05-20(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1939-05-27 | 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. Filed on Bank Street because the operator files the Island Park Drive road crossing there; the item names the C.N.R. crossing of Island Park Drive. | Ottawa Citizen 1939-05-27(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1941-04-29≥ | 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." Filed on Bank Street on the assumption that the Isabella Street siding belongs to the Bank Street yard (inference, as with the earlier Isabella Street items). | Ottawa Citizen 1941-04-29(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1947-06-03≤ | 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. Filed on Bank Street because the operator files the Island Park Drive crossing there; the item names the Island Park Drive siding or its neighbour on Carling Avenue. | Ottawa Citizen 1947-06-03(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1947-06-23≥ | 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." Filed on Bank Street because the operator files the Island Park Drive crossing there; the item names the Island Park Drive siding or its neighbour on Carling Avenue. Filed on Bank Street on the assumption that the Isabella Street siding belongs to the Bank Street yard (inference, as with the earlier Isabella Street items). | Ottawa Journal 1947-06-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1947-12-23 | 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. Filed on Bank Street because the plan names the C.N.R. tracks across Bank Street. | Ottawa Citizen 1947-12-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1948-01-07 | "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...) | |
| 1948-07-02≤ | 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." Filed on Bank Street because the operator files the Island Park Drive crossing there; the item names the Island Park Drive siding or its neighbour on Carling Avenue. The item places the siding on Carling Avenue where the royal platform of 1939 stood. | Ottawa Citizen 1948-07-02(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1949-07-19 | 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. Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the C.N.R. level crossing at Carling and Kirkwood avenues. | Ottawa Citizen 1949-07-19(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1950-02-02 | "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. Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Bank Street subway bridge. | Ottawa Journal 1950-02-02(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1950-08-25≤ | 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. An announcement of arrangements to come. | Ottawa Journal 1950-08-25(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1951-10-10 | "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." Filed on Bank Street because the operator files the Island Park Drive crossing and its neighbours there. | Ottawa Citizen 1951-10-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1952-01-09≥ | 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. Filed on Bank Street at the operator's direction, who says Bronson is near it; the item names the Bronson Avenue crossing. | Ottawa Citizen 1952-01-09(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1952-01-25≥ | 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. Filed on Bank Street as the Ottawa crossing on the line to the west (inference); the item names the C.N.R. tracks at Clyde Avenue, Westboro. | Ottawa Citizen 1952-01-25(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1952-01-31≥ | 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≥ | 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...) | |
| 1952-05-14 | 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...) | |
| 1953-12-10 | "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." Filed on Bank Street as the cross-town line; the item does not name the yard. | Ottawa Citizen 1953-12-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1954-05-11 | 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. Filed on Bank Street, since the item places the train on its way to the Bank Street yard; Hawthorne Avenue here is the Ottawa street. | Ottawa Citizen 1954-05-11(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1954-08-13≥ | 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. Filed on Bank Street at the operator's direction, who says Bronson is near it. | Ottawa Citizen 1954-08-13(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1955 | 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...) | |
| 1955-06-10≥ | 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. Filed on Bank Street as the yard being replaced (inference; the item says the cross-town tracks). | Ottawa Citizen 1955-06-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1957-01-18 | 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. Filed on Bank Street because Churcher places it there; the item calls the place the Britannia Yards near Duke Street. | Ottawa Citizen 1957-01-18(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1957-08-28 | 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. Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Merivale Road crossing on the Barry's Bay line. | Ottawa Citizen 1957-08-28(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1957-12-07≥ | 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. Filed on Bank Street, the name the yard went by, at the operator's direction; the item names the Echo Drive crossing. The same crossing as the 11 May 1954 item. | Ottawa Citizen 1957-12-07(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1960-08-16≥ | By 16 August 1960 (the issue date), the paper reported: The World of Mirth midway "arrived at the Isabella Street train yards last night, nearly six hours behind schedule", the biggest show train ever to enter Canada: 63 cars plus a special with prizes. The show blamed the C.N.R. for sidetracking and slow running and the C.N.R. blamed the show; the train arrived about 7 p.m., was held for Customs, and unloading began at nine. "People living on Isabella and surrounding streets" lost sleep to the seven tractors working into the early morning. Filed on Bank Street on the assumption that the Isabella Street yards belong to the Bank Street yard (inference, as with the earlier Isabella Street items). | Ottawa Citizen 1960-08-16(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1961-07-05≤ | From 5 July 1961 (the issue date), the paper announced: "Tomorrow, the last CNR train will pass over the Loretta Street-Bronson Avenue section of that line west of the Bank Street yards. Use of the yards will be discontinued later for Queensway construction in that area." The change was part of the National Capital Commission's $21,500,000 five-year railway relocation program. Filed on Bank Street, the yard the item names. | Ottawa Citizen 1961-07-05(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1961-07-05(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) | |
| 1961-08-02 | "The last train of the CNR to operate over the Bank Street line made its final run on Wednesday (02/08) this week." Filed on Bank Street, the line the item names. | Ottawa Citizen 1961-08-04(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
Practices
1 fact
| Date | Statement | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1916-09-09 | The board of Railway Commissioners has issued an order regarding protection gates for the level crossing over the G.T.R. tracks at Bronson Avenue. The order directs that twenty per cent of the cost of the gates be paid out of the Railway Grade Crossing Fund, the balance divided equally between the city and the railway company. A day and a night watchman are to be employed, with the cost of maintenance and operation divided fifty-fifty between the city and the railway company. | Ottawa Citizen 1916-09-09(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...) |
Notes
Bank Street yards etc. Milepost is approximate