Facts citing this source
| Ref | Date | Subject | Statement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1892-09-30 | 1892-09-16 | The Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway Company | At a meeting of Eganville ratepayers held September 16, 1892 to consider a bonus for the rival C.P.R. Atlantic & North-Western line, Mr. James Reeves read a letter from Mr. J.R. Booth saying that he was determined on pushing on his road (the O.A. & P.S.) as rapidly as possible. Booth said that if the townships put out enough money to buy the right-of-way through them, some grading would be done and contracts let for timber and tie contracts for a 50 mile radius. Fuller account of the same meeting and letter, including the right-of-way/contracts detail. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1892', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1892.pdf (file revised January-25-24). Original issue not seen. |
| 1892-09-30 | 1892-09-30 | The Parry Sound Colonization Railway Company | It was reported that Mr. Booth had purchased the Parry Sound Colonization Railway — the line from the Northern Railway to Parry Sound, which had at one time been reported to be under C.P.R. control. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1892', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1892.pdf (file revised January-25-24). Original issue not seen. |
| 1894-08 | 1894-08 | The Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway Company | Rumours of diphtheria outbreaks in the area, and no wonder, says the local doctor: some very small houses are accommodating twelve to eighteen men. When one gets up, another tumbles into his warm bed. Some men have died of diphtheria. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1894', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1894.pdf (file revised February-25-24). Original issue not seen. |
| 1896-02-17 | 1896-02-17 | Whitney | The OA & PS RR is now transporting passengers to and from Whitney. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1896', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1896.pdf (file revised February-23-24). Original issue not seen. |
| 1896-02-17 | 1896-02-17 | Whitney | The owners of the new sawmill in Whitney are American, and it is now a one-company town with houses, stores, etc. all run by the company's representative, Mr. John Ferguson. It has been described as 'a remarkable hamlet.' Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1896', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1896.pdf (file revised February-23-24). Original issue not seen. |
| 1896-10-16 | 1896-10-16 | The Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway Company | Passenger and freight service will commence about November 15, as only ten miles of track remain to be laid. This will be finished by month's end, after which the government will inspect, and then the line opened. The actual distance from Ottawa to Parry Sound will be two hundred and fifty-two miles. It is hoped that there will be an 8 hour service. Passengers leaving Ottawa at 8 a.m. will reach the lake port by 4 p.m. The divisional point will be Madawaska. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1896', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1896.pdf (file revised February-23-24). Original issue not seen. |
| 1896-10-16 | 1896-10-16 | Unidentified Locomotives 0 | The company has placed an order for four new passenger and freight locomotives, to be delivered in November. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1896', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1896.pdf (file revised February-23-24). Original issue not seen. |
| 1896-10-16 | 1896-10-16 | Plows | Four new snowploughs have been built at the company's workshops in Ottawa, for use on the line this winter. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1896', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1896.pdf (file revised February-23-24). Original issue not seen. |
| 1904-06-10 | 1904-06-10 | Canada Atlantic Refrigerator 1500-1524 | Refrigerator cars will be run on CAR for transportation to Montreal. These will be cooled by ice and are run in co-operation with the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of encouraging the manufacture of dairy products. While his line was being built, J.R. Booth encouraged the development of creameries at Renfrew and Eganville; now his railway was benefiting from the revenue generated by shipments of the dairy products. Shipments were picked up on the evening train, arriving Montreal early the next morning. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1904', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1904.pdf (file revised February-22-24). Original issue not seen. |
| 1905-09-22 | 1905-09-22 | The Canada Atlantic Railway Company | October 5th has been fixed as the day for the taking over of the Canada Atlantic by the Grand Trunk system. The Grand Trunk has also commenced the work of strengthening the bridges over the whole system from Parry Sound to Swanton, Vermont. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1905', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1905.pdf (file revised February-23-24). Original issue not seen. |
| 1906-11-23 | 1906-11-17 | Canoe Lake | At Canoe Lake, Algonquin Park, on the Canada Atlantic division of the Grand Trunk, a short train ran head-on into a stationary freight early Saturday morning. The crews jumped but Maurice O'Connell, the fireman of Ottawa, failed to get clear of the engine and was seriously injured; he was taken to Ottawa. The engines were considerably damaged. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1906', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1906.pdf (file revised February-23-24). Original issue not seen. |
| 1906-12-14 | 1906-12-14 | The Canada Atlantic Railway Company | GTR WRECKS: The Leader laments that 'the daily wreck' is now common on the GTR. Where, under J.R. Booth's direction, trains were so regular that you could set your watch by them, now delay and wrecks were common. It was thought that these conditions are the result of labour difficulties: what the GTR pays for section men is much less than what the lumbermen regularly get; the job is lonely and living expenses are high, so that men sent up the line quickly drift away, the track goes bad, and the way is paved for expensive accidents. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1906', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1906.pdf (file revised February-23-24). Original issue not seen. |
| 1911-09-22 | 1911-09-22 | Barrys Bay | Four members of the railway commission took up the complaint of Mr. J.H. Dennison of Barry's Bay that he had not been allowed to board the Grand Trunk train when it stopped and took on other passengers; to get on the train, he said, he was compelled to walk three miles down the track, while others were taken on where he started to walk. Mr. Morley Donaldson for the Grand Trunk explained that the train stopped to take on employees, and there were not facilities for taking on passengers. It was finally decided that the train should stop for Mr. Dennison when flagged once a week, on Wednesdays, and that he could get on with the railway employees on other days. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1911', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1911.pdf (file revised February-24-24), tagged 'Renfrew', at 'Barrys Bay'. Original issue not seen. |
| 1914-05-29 | 1914-05-29 | Madawaska | Word has been received at the G.T.R. office that unless the wind blows up, the bush fires in the vicinity of Madawaska are not likely to cause any further damage to property. Tents and blankets had been sent up by the militia department, although there was no need for them, as was first reported. The Grand Trunk had in all 16 freight cars burnt, one loaded with hay; a storehouse, wheelhouse and oilhouse were also destroyed by the flames, with a total loss to the railway of $6,500. A large number of men were fighting the fires, which were stated to be under control. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1914', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1914.pdf (file revised February-18-24), tagged 'Renfrew', at 'Madawaska', quoting the Ottawa Free Press of the preceding Wednesday. Original issue not seen. |
| 1915-04-30 | 1915-04-22 | Eganville Depot | As Mr. J.P. Smith, agent at the Grand Trunk Railway station at Eganville, sat in his office about eight o'clock in the evening, he heard a crackling sound from the adjoining freight shed and found flames sweeping through it. His wife was on the station platform; their invalid son was upstairs. Smith hurried up to get the boy and got him to safety; a few minutes later the shed and station buildings, built of wood, were a mass of flames. All the freight in the shed was destroyed, as was $50 in cash in the till, the company's papers, and the Smiths' furniture. The loss totalled about $6,000, covered by insurance; the cause was not known, though a carelessly-thrown cigarette stub was suspected. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher, same collection, tagged 'Renfrew', at 'Eganville', headed 'G.T.R. Station Burned'. Adds that a passenger car on a siding now serves as Mr. Smith's office and a waiting room, and that a new station will be built. Original issue not seen. |
| 1917-06-22 | 1917-06-22 | Eganville Depot | The G.T. Railway Co. has begun the erection of a new station at Eganville, to replace the one destroyed by fire two years ago. Considerable of the needed material is now on the ground and carpenters have arrived to begin work. The station and freight shed will be of a modern and somewhat pretentious character, measuring 108 by 33 feet. A separate residence for the agent will be erected at an estimated cost of $4,000. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1917', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1917.pdf (file revised February-11-22), tagged 'Renfrew', at 'Eganville'. Original issue not seen. |
| 1920-06-20 | 1920-06-20 | Car Shops | The Ottawa car shops of the Canada Atlantic are building twenty-five platform cars for the St. Anthony Lumber Co. of Whitney. A fifteen mile branch line is also being constructed from Whitney to the Opeongo lakes for the purpose of bringing out logs for the lumber company. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1920', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1920.pdf (file revised February-20-22), tagged 'Whitney and Opeongo'. Original issue not seen. |
| 1924-08-29 | 1924-08-29≥ | Caldwell Depot | By 29 August 1924 (the issue date), the paper reported: "The C.N.R. station at Caldwell, eight miles east of Eganville, was burned yesterday afternoon... The fire started on the station platform, but had gained considerable headway before being discovered." Most of the contents were saved. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1924', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1924.pdf (file revised February-29-24). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 1924-08-29 | 1924-08-29≥ | Caldwell Freight Shed | By 29 August 1924 (the issue date), the paper reported: "The C.N.R. station at Caldwell, eight miles east of Eganville, was burned yesterday afternoon, together with the freight shed. Most of the contents were saved." Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1924', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1924.pdf (file revised February-29-24). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 1939-04-07 | 1939-04-07≥ | Middle Subdivision | By 7 April 1939 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Abandonment of the 39-mile stretch of C.N.R. line between Arnprior and Eganville has been agreed to by a joint committee of the Canadian and Pacific Railways, subject to approval of the Board of Transport Commissioners." Abandonment "means that the railway service from Arnprior to Glasgow Station, Goshen, Renfrew Junction, Douglas and Caldwell would be discontinued"; C.N.R. westbound trains would cross to C.P.R. tracks at Arnprior and cross back at Eganville, where a short piece of new track would have to be laid. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1939', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1939.pdf (file revised June-22-23). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 1939-12-03 | 1939-11-28 | Middle Subdivision | A hearing by the Board of Transport Commissioners "of an application to abandon the 37-mile line between Arnprior and Eganville was begun in Renfrew this morning." C.N.R. solicitor A. D. McDonald submitted statistics "purporting to show that a net saving of $104,000 per annum could be attained by abandoning the line"; Murray Chown argued for the affected municipalities that abandonment was not in the interest of the public, that two bridges on the C.P.R. alternative route were unfit for heavier traffic, and that the C.N.R. had asked to abandon the Golden Lake-Pembroke line two years earlier yet now asked to spend about $100,000 improving it. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1939', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1939.pdf (file revised June-22-23). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. The item is dated Nov. 28. |
| 1940-03-15 | 1940-03-15≥ | Middle Subdivision | By 15 March 1940 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Judgement of the Board of Transport Commissioners has been issued granting the application of the Canadian National Railway for leave to abandon the operation of a portion of the Renfrew sub-division, between Arnprior and Eganville, 37.91 miles." The Board found a decrease in traffic on the C.N.R. line and a joint yearly saving of $104,000; "at present there is one train each way over the line daily", Ottawa to Barry's Bay in the morning and back in the afternoon. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1940', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1940.pdf (file revised February-03-24). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 1940-05-03 | 1940-05-03≤ | Middle Subdivision | From 3 May 1940 (the issue date), the paper announced: The municipalities appealing against the Board of Transport Commissioners' decision granting the C.N.R. abandonment of the Arnprior-Eganville line "have received word from the Clerk of the Privy Council that the appeal will be heard in Ottawa on June 21", where "both the railway Co. and those opposing the abandonment through Dr. McCann and S. M. Chown, counsel for the municipalities" would present their arguments. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1940', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1940.pdf (file revised February-03-24). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 1959-02-13 | 1959-02-12 | Middle Subdivision | J. W. G. MacDougall, C.N.R. commission counsel, told a meeting at Arnprior of Ottawa Valley municipalities that "the railway was ready to inaugurate a new, modern train service between Ottawa and Barry's Bay"; if the public did not patronize it, the C.N.R. would ask the Board of Transport Commissioners for discontinuance. J. J. Greene, Arnprior, representing the municipalities, said railways "can be sold, just like soap chips". The meeting decided the new service would begin on March 1, leaving Barry's Bay at 5.30 a.m. and reaching Ottawa at 8.30, returning at 5.30 p.m., on a trial of at least six months, with a self-propelled diesel railiner over the 112-mile run. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1959', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1959.pdf (file revised undefined). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. Dated Ottawa, February 13; reports the Thursday meeting and the March 1 start. |
| 1959-02-26 | 1959-02-26≤ | Middle Subdivision | From 26 February 1959 (the issue date), the paper announced: The C.N.R.'s new dayliner service between Ottawa and Barry's Bay would make its inaugural run on Monday morning; "the present conventional train No. 89 and No. 90 will make its final run on Saturday". The dayliner, a self-propelled diesel car, would operate on a reversed schedule, leaving Barry's Bay at 5.30 a.m. and Ottawa at 5.30 p.m., calling at Killaloe, Eganville, Renfrew, Arnprior and Carp. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1959', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1959.pdf (file revised undefined). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 1959-03-05 | 1959-03-02 | Middle Subdivision | More than 40 persons, including a number of Ottawa Valley reeves, boarded the C.N.R.'s streamlined dayliner on Monday morning for "the inaugural run of the new trial service between Ottawa and Barry's Bay"; on Tuesday 16 travelled. The self-propelled diesel, with room for 49 passengers and for express and baggage, was to run on trial for at least six months. By 12 March the C.N.R. reported 240 revenue passengers in the first six days, an average of 20 a trip, and by 9 April a record 426 in the fifth week, 35 a trip. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1959', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1959.pdf (file revised undefined). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. Reports the inaugural run on Monday. |
| 1959-03-12 | 1959-03-02 | Middle Subdivision | More than 40 persons, including a number of Ottawa Valley reeves, boarded the C.N.R.'s streamlined dayliner on Monday morning for "the inaugural run of the new trial service between Ottawa and Barry's Bay"; on Tuesday 16 travelled. The self-propelled diesel, with room for 49 passengers and for express and baggage, was to run on trial for at least six months. By 12 March the C.N.R. reported 240 revenue passengers in the first six days, an average of 20 a trip, and by 9 April a record 426 in the fifth week, 35 a trip. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1959', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1959.pdf (file revised undefined). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. The first six days' passengers. |
| 1959-04-09 | 1959-03-02 | Middle Subdivision | More than 40 persons, including a number of Ottawa Valley reeves, boarded the C.N.R.'s streamlined dayliner on Monday morning for "the inaugural run of the new trial service between Ottawa and Barry's Bay"; on Tuesday 16 travelled. The self-propelled diesel, with room for 49 passengers and for express and baggage, was to run on trial for at least six months. By 12 March the C.N.R. reported 240 revenue passengers in the first six days, an average of 20 a trip, and by 9 April a record 426 in the fifth week, 35 a trip. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1959', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1959.pdf (file revised undefined). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. The fifth week. |
| 1959-06-10 | 1959-06-10 | Middle Subdivision | James Baskin, M.P. for Renfrew South, proposed that the railiner leave Barry's Bay at 7 a.m. for a 10 a.m. arrival in Ottawa and leave Ottawa at 6.15 p.m.; the railiner, in trial service since 2 March, "has been in operation 13 weeks, and is handling an average of 20 revenue passengers a trip". After eight weeks in July and August averaging 27 passengers per train, the figure fell to 18 over six weeks (30 October item). On 20 November the C.N.R. announced a Sunday evening dayliner, leaving Barry's Bay at 7 p.m. and Ottawa at 11 p.m.; on 25 November it said the service would continue "until next spring" on a further trial basis, the lack of increased patronage "a distinct disappointment", and from 16 December the daily train would leave Barry's Bay at 7 a.m. and Ottawa at 6 p.m. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1959', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1959.pdf (file revised undefined). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. Baskin's suggestion and the 13-week average. |
| 1959-07-10 | 1959-07-10≥ | Killaloe | By 10 July 1959 (the issue date), the paper reported: A coroner's jury recommended at the inquest on Gordon Trodd, 40, of Deep River, that "the hill before the Killaloe rail crossing should either be done away with, or a wig wag should be erected to warn motorists of coming trains." Trodd "died early on the morning of June 20 when his car crashed into the rear end of a CNR dayliner at the Killaloe rail crossing". Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1959', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1959.pdf (file revised undefined). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 1959-10-30 | 1959-06-10 | Middle Subdivision | James Baskin, M.P. for Renfrew South, proposed that the railiner leave Barry's Bay at 7 a.m. for a 10 a.m. arrival in Ottawa and leave Ottawa at 6.15 p.m.; the railiner, in trial service since 2 March, "has been in operation 13 weeks, and is handling an average of 20 revenue passengers a trip". After eight weeks in July and August averaging 27 passengers per train, the figure fell to 18 over six weeks (30 October item). On 20 November the C.N.R. announced a Sunday evening dayliner, leaving Barry's Bay at 7 p.m. and Ottawa at 11 p.m.; on 25 November it said the service would continue "until next spring" on a further trial basis, the lack of increased patronage "a distinct disappointment", and from 16 December the daily train would leave Barry's Bay at 7 a.m. and Ottawa at 6 p.m. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1959', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1959.pdf (file revised undefined). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. An editorial on the falling patronage. |
| 1959-11-20 | 1959-06-10 | Middle Subdivision | James Baskin, M.P. for Renfrew South, proposed that the railiner leave Barry's Bay at 7 a.m. for a 10 a.m. arrival in Ottawa and leave Ottawa at 6.15 p.m.; the railiner, in trial service since 2 March, "has been in operation 13 weeks, and is handling an average of 20 revenue passengers a trip". After eight weeks in July and August averaging 27 passengers per train, the figure fell to 18 over six weeks (30 October item). On 20 November the C.N.R. announced a Sunday evening dayliner, leaving Barry's Bay at 7 p.m. and Ottawa at 11 p.m.; on 25 November it said the service would continue "until next spring" on a further trial basis, the lack of increased patronage "a distinct disappointment", and from 16 December the daily train would leave Barry's Bay at 7 a.m. and Ottawa at 6 p.m. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1959', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1959.pdf (file revised undefined). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. Announces the Sunday service. |
| 1960-02-08 | 1960-02-08 | Middle Subdivision | On the Ottawa-Barry's Bay service "an average of 22.7 revenue passengers per trip was handled" by the C.N.R. since the change of 16 December: 3,491 revenue passengers on 154 trips in 11 weeks; the 22 trips since the Sunday service began in mid-December carried 601, an average of 27 per Sunday trip. On 17 May the C.N.R. said it would continue the service for the summer, extending the trial two months before any application for withdrawal; on 15 July the running time was cut by 30 minutes and a 91-passenger railiner, the largest type on the system, was to be placed in service the following Monday, June passenger averages being 18, 19, 20 and 35. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1960', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1960.pdf (file revised undefined). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 1960-05-17 | 1960-02-08 | Middle Subdivision | On the Ottawa-Barry's Bay service "an average of 22.7 revenue passengers per trip was handled" by the C.N.R. since the change of 16 December: 3,491 revenue passengers on 154 trips in 11 weeks; the 22 trips since the Sunday service began in mid-December carried 601, an average of 27 per Sunday trip. On 17 May the C.N.R. said it would continue the service for the summer, extending the trial two months before any application for withdrawal; on 15 July the running time was cut by 30 minutes and a 91-passenger railiner, the largest type on the system, was to be placed in service the following Monday, June passenger averages being 18, 19, 20 and 35. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1960', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1960.pdf (file revised undefined). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 1960-11-01 | 1960-11-04 | Middle Subdivision | The C.N.R. asked the Board of Transport Commissioners for permission to discontinue the Ottawa-Barry's Bay passenger service, "despite various improvements made in passenger service during the past 18 months": "The last of the changes was effected in July of this year when 30 minutes was cut off the running time. The expected increase in passengers, however, did not materialize." Passengers and municipalities protested; many said dropping the Sunday service instead of the express would have let the line pay. A single Budd car leaves Barry's Bay at 7.15 a.m. for Ottawa at 9.45 and the Arnprior agent does about $300 a week passenger and $3,000 express business. By 30 November the Board had briefs from Barry's Bay and Renfrew against the plan. On 12 December the Barry's Bay-Ottawa coach was frozen and 24 passengers had to be thawed in the baggage car, said M.P. James Baskin. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1960', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1960.pdf (file revised undefined). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. Reports the C.N.R. request. |
| 1960-12-16 | 1960-11-04 | Middle Subdivision | The C.N.R. asked the Board of Transport Commissioners for permission to discontinue the Ottawa-Barry's Bay passenger service, "despite various improvements made in passenger service during the past 18 months": "The last of the changes was effected in July of this year when 30 minutes was cut off the running time. The expected increase in passengers, however, did not materialize." Passengers and municipalities protested; many said dropping the Sunday service instead of the express would have let the line pay. A single Budd car leaves Barry's Bay at 7.15 a.m. for Ottawa at 9.45 and the Arnprior agent does about $300 a week passenger and $3,000 express business. By 30 November the Board had briefs from Barry's Bay and Renfrew against the plan. On 12 December the Barry's Bay-Ottawa coach was frozen and 24 passengers had to be thawed in the baggage car, said M.P. James Baskin. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1960', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1960.pdf (file revised undefined). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. Baskin's account of the frozen coach on Monday. |
| 1961-02-10 | 1961-02-10≥ | Middle Subdivision | By 10 February 1961 (the issue date), the paper reported: The Board of Transport Commissioners "on Thursday deferred a decision on whether to discontinue the Ottawa-Barry's Bay train service", at the completion of a two-day hearing. D.F. Mills of the C.N.R. said discontinuing the run "would mean an annual betterment of $97,105", quoting revenue of $87,775 and expenses of $159,985 from August 1959 to July, "a net loss to the C.N.R. of $72,210". James Baskin, M.P. for South Renfrew, said the C.N.R. attitude "was encouraging many lumbermen to ship by truck rather than by train." Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1961', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1961.pdf (file revised November-07-20). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. Dated Renfrew, February 10. |
| 1967-11-30 | 1967-11-30≤ | Killaloe Depot | From 30 November 1967 (the issue date), the paper announced: "A further indication of the changing times is the decision to close the Canadian National Railways Station at Killaloe, effective December 7th, and have express shipments held on hand and accepted for transportation by Mr. Vincent A. McCue at his grocery store." Albert Thurston was the last regular agent, and latterly "Mr. John E. Redmond, CNR, Agent, Eganville, has taken care of the billing". Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1967', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1967.pdf (file revised August-01-23). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 1970-11-25 | 1970-11-21≥ | Renfrew | By 21 November 1970 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Canadian National Railways has been given permission by the Canadian Transport Commisson to remove agents from seven stations in Ontario and Quebec"; "The points affected are St. Anne de bellevue and Pointe Claire in Quebec and the Ontario stations in Maxville, Casselman, Vars, Renfrew and Eganville." The commission noted that each station, as long as it is serviced by passenger trains, "shall be 'kept clean, heated and lighted.'" Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1970', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1970.pdf (file revised April-27-20). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. Reports the same permission for Eganville and Renfrew; Churcher tags it twice, as 'Eganville' and 'Renfrew'. |
| 1970-11-25 | 1970-11-21≥ | Eganville | By 21 November 1970 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Canadian National Railways has been given permission by the Canadian Transport Commisson to remove agents from seven stations in Ontario and Quebec"; "The points affected are St. Anne de bellevue and Pointe Claire in Quebec and the Ontario stations in Maxville, Casselman, Vars, Renfrew and Eganville." The commission noted that each station, as long as it is serviced by passenger trains, "shall be 'kept clean, heated and lighted.'" Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1970', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1970.pdf (file revised April-27-20). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Eganville'. Reports the same permission for Eganville and Renfrew. |
| 1973-03-07 | 1973-03-07≥ | Middle Subdivision | By 7 March 1973 (the issue date), the paper reported: Len Hopkins, M.P. for Renfrew North-Nipissing East, "wants the National Capital Commission to revive a passenger service from Ottawa up the Valley to Whitney as a tourist attraction", a train "modelled after those of the pioneer days"; the Citizen of 4 April adds that the line, "78-year-old", "has been used exclusively for freight" and that old stations on the line could be rejuvenated or rebuilt as attractions. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1973', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1973.pdf (file revised June-03-23). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 1975-09-24 | 1975-10-08≥ | Barrys Bay Water Tower | By 8 October 1975 (the issue date), the paper reported: Following word that "the village of Barry's Bay had called tenders for the demolition of the old water tank located along the C.N.R. railway", a group of citizens and Madawaska Valley District High School history teachers and students petitioned to have "the huge tank" saved and repaired. "The old CN water tower in Barry's Bay has been given a reprieve by Barry's Bay village council": a delegation of the Committee To Save The Water Tower attended the council meeting on Monday night with a petition of 600 names, and "convinced council not to destroy the historic landmark, which is scheduled to be demolished". Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1975', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1975.pdf (file revised January-11-23). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. Tag place 'Barrys Bay water'. |
| 1975-10-08 | 1975-10-08≥ | Barrys Bay Water Tower | By 8 October 1975 (the issue date), the paper reported: Following word that "the village of Barry's Bay had called tenders for the demolition of the old water tank located along the C.N.R. railway", a group of citizens and Madawaska Valley District High School history teachers and students petitioned to have "the huge tank" saved and repaired. "The old CN water tower in Barry's Bay has been given a reprieve by Barry's Bay village council": a delegation of the Committee To Save The Water Tower attended the council meeting on Monday night with a petition of 600 names, and "convinced council not to destroy the historic landmark, which is scheduled to be demolished". Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1975', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1975.pdf (file revised January-11-23). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. Tag place 'Barrys Bay water'. |
| 1977-12-07 | 1977-12-07≤ | Eganville Depot | From 7 December 1977 (the issue date), the paper announced: "The Canadian National (CN) Railway station in Eganville is closing at the end of this year in the name of more efficient service, according to a CN spokesman in Ottawa." The Journal of 21 December says the "decrepit station, actually in Grattan Township, has a history of almost 60 years" and that Canadian National Railways "closes its Eganville station" on Dec. 31; after that CNR patrolmen who cruise the line once a week would "keep an eye on" the building. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1977', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1977.pdf (file revised January-13-23). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 1978-09-13 | 1978-09-13≤ | Middle Subdivision | From 13 September 1978 (the issue date), the paper announced: "The Canadian National Railway plans to make formal application to the Board of Transport Commissioners for approval cease rail operations on the Renfrew to Barry's Bay branch line." Regional manager of operations Jacques Gauthier said "there is no urgency to halt rail traffic" and "the tracks won't be pulled tomorrow"; CN was applying to cease operation where revenues were lower than expenses. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1978', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1978.pdf (file revised January-15-23). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 1982-01-27 | 1982-01-27≥ | Middle Subdivision | By 27 January 1982 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Rail service on the local Canadian National Railway line has been abandoned for the remainder of the winter months and unless there is an upswing in the economy of the area, the line between Renfrew and Barry's Bay will remain closed in the winter months in coming years." On Thursday afternoon "the red and black CN locomotive, pulling a lone boxcar and caboose, pushed eastwards back to Ottawa signalling an end to the use of the line until the spring season arrives." Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1982', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1982.pdf (file revised June-22-20). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 1983-08-10 | 1983-08-02 | Middle Subdivision | The Canadian Transport Commission "has decided to allow Canadian National to abandon an 85-year-old stretch of historic railway linking Renfrew with Whitney, near Algonquin Park." "In an order dated August 2, the Railway Transport Committee agreed with CN's contention that the 90.26 mile line was not feasible financially to keep in operation any longer", concluding that the "branch line is uneconomic and is likely to continue to be uneconomic and the operation thereof should be abandoned"; CN had three months to shut down the line. Commissioner Anne-Marie Trahan's report found the Whitney section "poor" and impassable due to washouts, that there had been no train service to Barry's Bay since Jan. 1, 1982, and that service between Barry's Bay and Whitney was discontinued in 1974. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1983', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1983.pdf (file revised April-29-23). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 1986-04-23 | 1986-04-23≥ | Eganville Depot | By 23 April 1986 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Canadian National Railway has officially offered the abandoned right-of-way and the Eganville Station to Grattan Township." In his letter received April 14, vice-president J. Roger Lagace wrote: "Since the Province of Ontario had decided not to proceed further with the acquisition of abandoned railway lines and according to CN policy in such a case, I wish to inform you that CN is agreeable to the sale of the former station building for the sum of one dollar." Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1986', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1986.pdf (file revised July-08-20). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 1986-05-28 | 1986-04-23≥ | Eganville Depot | By 23 April 1986 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Canadian National Railway has officially offered the abandoned right-of-way and the Eganville Station to Grattan Township." In his letter received April 14, vice-president J. Roger Lagace wrote: "Since the Province of Ontario had decided not to proceed further with the acquisition of abandoned railway lines and according to CN policy in such a case, I wish to inform you that CN is agreeable to the sale of the former station building for the sum of one dollar." Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1986', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1986.pdf (file revised July-08-20). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Eganville'. Says Grattan had recently told CN it was interested in negotiating to buy the portion of the line in the township and the Eganville Station. |
| 1987-06-10 | 1987-06-10≥ | Middle Subdivision | By 10 June 1987 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Canadian National Railways is willing to part with its right-of-way along the abandoned Renfrew subdivision line at a cost of $1,000 per municipality", the offer extended to Grattan, Horton, Admaston, Bromley, North and South Algona, Hagarty and Richards, Sherwood, Jones and Burns, Dickens, Murchison and Airy townships, the Village of Killaloe and the Algonkian Indian Band, but not Barry's Bay. Grattan council confirmed its interest in purchasing "the right-of-way, the Eganville Station and other pertinent accessories situated within its boundaries" at that price. Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 1987', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/1987.pdf (file revised February-07-24). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. |
| 2000-10-18 | 1943 | Barrys Bay Water Tower | The Barry's Bay railway water tower, now "Canada's last existing wooden railway water tower", "was erected in 1943". Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 2000', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/2000.pdf (file revised September-30-20). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. Churcher's place is 'Barrys Bay water'. Quotes village councillor John Yakabuski at the dedication. |
| 2000-10-18 | 1976 | Barrys Bay Water Tower | The Barry's Bay water tower, "almost demolished in 1975", was saved when "a petition was started to save the tower and a year later it was designated a historical landmark, ensuring it would never be demolished." Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 2000', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/2000.pdf (file revised September-30-20). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. Churcher's place is 'Barrys Bay water'. |
| 2000-10-18 | 2000-10-18≥ | Barrys Bay Water Tower | By 18 October 2000 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Canada's last existing wooden railway water tower has been completely restored and is now part of a beautiful park in Barry's Bay." The tower was dedicated, village councillor John Yakabuski acting as master of ceremonies; the Barry's Bay Railway Station Restoration Committee was organized in 1989 and "in 1998 a group which came out of this committee decided to preserve the water tower and make the area around it more appealing." Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 2000', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/2000.pdf (file revised September-30-20). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. Churcher's place is 'Barrys Bay water'. The headline reads "Ontario's Last Remaining Wooden Water Tower Dedicated". |
| 2023-08-23 | 1897-01-21 | Barrys Bay | Frank Burchat "stumbled across another derailment less than a mile away" from the 1909 accident at Carson Lake: "It had occurred January 21st, 1897, and killed three other OA & PS railroad employees." Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 2023', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/2023.pdf (file revised December-11-23). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. Churcher's place is 'Carson Lake'. |
| 2023-08-23 | 2023-08-16 | Barrys Bay | Frank Burchat unveiled a plaque "in the middle of nowhere... on a lonely stretch of the old Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound railroad bed, just north of where he now lives along Carson Lake", for a young railroader killed there "114 years ago to the day, at exactly 9:15 p.m. Monday, August 16th, 1909": 20-year-old William J. Thurston of Madawaska. About 25 people attended, eight of them his relatives. Burchat, with divers, the OPP Search and Recovery Unit and the Gignac Dive Team, had searched Carson Lake for a rumoured sunken engine and concluded "there is no train in the water." Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway Items from Area Papers – 2023', Ottawa Railway History Circle, https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Papers%20by%20Year/2023.pdf (file revised December-11-23). Original issue not seen. Churcher's tag is 'Renfrew'. Churcher's place is 'Carson Lake'. A Canadian Press story by Barry Conway. |