Canada Atlantic Railway
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Eastern Subdivision

Subdivision
Eastern Division
Names and numbers
GTR 30th District
1905 – 1923
CNR Alexandria Subdivision
1923 – ?
Locations
Sources on this page
Almonte GazetteCanada NewswireCBC NewsCTV NewsEastern Ontario ReviewOttawa CitizenOttawa Free PressOttawa JournalOttawa SunToronto Daily Mail
History
85 facts
DateStatementSourceStatus
1881-01-13Twenty-four miles of the Canada Atlantic Railway had been completed between Alexandria and Coteau, connecting the two places. It was expected the workshops would be located at Alexandria.
Source says 'the Atlantic and Ottawa [sic] Railway' -- Churcher's own [sic] flags the transposed name; this is the Canada Atlantic Railway (the same Ottawa-Coteau Landing project previously recorded under its predecessor name on The Montreal and City of Ottawa Junction Railway Company).
Almonte Gazette 1881-01-13(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-04-06Surveyors commenced work on the line of the Coteau Railway. Mr. William Surtees, a son of the city engineer, was engaged in the work. Ottawa Citizen 1881-04-06(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-05-12Work on the railroad between Coteau and Alexandria was progressing favorably. The engineers were Messrs. Geo. Mountain and Wm. Hall, of Quebec; Mr. C. Keefer, of Ottawa; and Messrs. Ennis, Duffy and Willis, of Burlington. Messrs. Fitzgerald and Powell had a heavy subcontract from Mr. Linsley, and Mr. H. Boyd also had a large contract. A train of cars was expected to run into Alexandria from Coteau Landing on the first of July. Ottawa Free Press 1881-05-12(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-05-26Satisfactory progress was being made with construction. The line between Coteau Landing and Alexandria was all under contract; the bridges, to be of iron and steel to the standard of the Q.M.O. & O. R.R., were being made by the Toronto Bridge Company, and steel rails for this section, about 30 miles, were en route from England. Cars were expected running in September. The route between High Falls and Ottawa was being located by Mr. C.H. Keefer and staff. The annual general meeting was to be held in Lancaster the following Tuesday. Ottawa Free Press 1881-05-26(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-06-27The company had been purchasing the right of way into the city through Stewarton and property for station grounds. The McDougal property was purchased at $3,000 an acre. A block of the By estate was bought from Mr. C. Magee, and a quantity of land from McLeod Stewart, in all thirteen acres. Ottawa Free Press 1881-06-27(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-07-05The engineers locating the balance of the line were expected to reach the city in two weeks, then near Eastman's Springs. The track had been laid from Coteau Landing to Alexandria, over which part a train now ran, and it was thought the railway would be complete to Kenyon village, a distance of 35 miles, by September; the contract required completion to the city by June of the following year. The company had been buying land in the city and Stewarton for station grounds and workshops -- six blocks, five in Stewarton and one within city limits -- lying between Elgin and John streets in Stewarton, and between Elgin and Cartier in the city. The road would cross the canal shortly above the Deep Cut. Ottawa Free Press 1881-07-05(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-07-15The surveying party in charge of the Canada Atlantic Railway was engaged in running a line across the Rideau Canal. Ottawa Citizen 1881-07-15(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-07-16It was contemplated to cross the canal somewhere in the vicinity of the stave factory on the bank of the canal in Gloucester, and thence deflect the line along the east side of Elgin street to the city limits, where the station would be built. Ottawa Free Press 1881-07-16(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-07-16Mr. D.S. Linsley, contractor, reported the work progressing favorably, with the railway from Coteau to Ottawa expected complete by the middle of the following summer, probably 1 August. The Toronto Bridge Company was at work on five bridges on the eastern section between Coteau and the Nation River; the largest bridge needed, apart from the proposed one over the St. Lawrence, would cross the Rideau River, with the Nation River bridge next in size. Grading was complete from Coteau to Alexandria, and track laying had begun from Coteau; the road was expected finished to the Nation River by Christmas. About six hundred men were employed on the line, the largest force -- one hundred laborers in one section -- working near Alexandria. Ties for the western division would be got out over the winter. The distance from Ottawa to Coteau was about 80 miles; the 45 miles of road south of the St. Lawrence, to connect with the American system, would also be built the following summer. The right of way into the city had been secured, and within a twelvemonth the railway was expected to be ready for traffic.
Also printed in the Kemptville Advance of 22 July 1881, per Churcher's transcription note.
Ottawa Free Press 1881-07-16(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-07-30Work on the Canada Atlantic Railway was booming; sufficient men could not be had to do the work. Ottawa Free Press 1881-07-30(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-08-23Mr. R.A. Sims of Bay street left for Moose Creek with fifteen men engaged to work on the Canada Atlantic Railway for one year at $1.25 per day, with board at $2.50 per week. Some fifty more men were to leave the following month for the same destination in charge of Mr. Sims. Ottawa Free Press 1881-08-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-08-30The terminus of the Canada Atlantic Railway at the Ottawa end was to be in Stewarton, where lands had been purchased for station grounds. The Chaudiere branch of the St. L. & O. Railway was to be used in the shipment of lumber. Ottawa Free Press 1881-08-30(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-09-28The final survey of the Canada Atlantic Railway upon the western division was expected to be completed into the city by the following Saturday evening. Work on the line was being steadily pushed forward. Ottawa Free Press 1881-09-28(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-10-06The final location of the Ottawa section was about complete; the survey party quit work at Hurdman's Bridge. Mr. Hale, engineer in chief, assistant to Mr. Linsley, and Mr. Ambrose Duffy, engineer on the final survey (with party H. Rees, W.R. Davidson, W. McMillan, F. Reynolds, C. O'Neil, E. Janacque, Y. Janacque), were named. On the western section, a route was surveyed from High Falls to the city: from the Falls to Taylorsville the road ran along the flats in a straight line for a little over 22 miles, perfectly level -- in engineer Duffy's words, 'as level as the floor.' The line passed just south of Eastman's Springs, crossing a corner of Messrs. Swalwell & Borbridge's hotel property, then after Taylorsville broke to a more northerly direction, passing south of the Cyrville Church, through Kelly's farm, crossing the Rideau River about 100 feet north of Hurdman's bridge, and coming into the city through Archville, striking Stewarton. The necessary property in Stewarton and the city had already been secured, with a few lots yet to be arbitrated. Ottawa Free Press 1881-10-06(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-10-06On the eastern division, work was rapidly being pushed forward on the section between Coteau Landing and High Falls. The track had already been laid some distance west of Kenyon, 34 miles from Coteau, and was expected to reach High Falls by the first of November. Three trains were operating on the built portion -- one at the head of track, one for ballasting, and one bringing up the iron. Over 200 men were engaged in track laying alone, laying 4,000 feet, three-quarters of a mile, daily; a night gang worked alongside the day gang, using electric light, at the gravel pit east of Kenyon. On the southern division, the assistant engineers in charge of construction, under Mr. Hall, were Mr. Lampman at High Falls, Mr. Hobbert at Kenyon, Mr. Mountain at Alexandria, and Mr. McInnis at Coteau. Ottawa Free Press 1881-10-06(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-10-22A second line approaching the Rideau river was being located by the Canada Atlantic engineers. The first line was not positioned so that the St. L. & O. Railway trains could switch onto it, but the new line, further south, would render that easy. Ottawa Free Press 1881-10-22(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-10-26Governor Smith, Messrs. J.R. Langdon, James M. Foss of Vermont, and W.H. Dubois of Boston left the city to inspect the proposed route between Ottawa and Moose Creek, the eastern section being completed to within a couple of miles of Moose Creek; they were interested in the railway and would aid completion of the southern section connecting with the American system. Mr. Linsley had profiles of the western section prepared for contractors wishing to tender; tenders for the section between the city and Moose Creek were expected let within two weeks. Messrs. Corbett & Snaith, working the eastern section, secured Mr. James Murphy as partner. The new Rideau River crossing was to be finally located the next night: a splendid crossing was secured, four feet of water over a rock bottom, at O'Dell's brickyard, crossing to a point south of Paterson's Creek. Chief Engineer Hall stated the company would try to make one bridge across the canal serve both the through freight lines and the passenger line into the city; the road to the Chaudiere would pass through the Stewart estate, joining the St. L. & O. branch before reaching the Chaudiere, about two and a half miles from the canal -- and the St. L. & O. Railway would be able to use the Canada Atlantic line into the city. Contracts for the Rideau river and canal bridges were to be let that fall. Station and freight buildings in the city and Stewarton were to begin the following spring, to be complete by the opening of the road, expected an accomplished fact within nine months. Ottawa Free Press 1881-10-26(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-10-29On the invitation of Mr. D.C. Linsley, contractor, a party drove over the line under construction: Hon. J. Gregory Smith, President of the Central Vermont Railway; J.R. Langdon of Montpelier, Vermont; Guy C. Noble of St. Albans, Vermont; Mr. Moss, assistant superintendent of the Central Vermont Railway; J.J. Lewis and L.R. Lewis of Boston; W.G. Perley, J.R. Booth, and McLeod Stewart; and Aldermen McDougal and Masson of Ottawa. The party drove about sixty miles the first day, stopping for the night at Moose Creek in the Township of Roxboro. On the second morning they took the first passenger train run over the line, about two miles from Moose Creek, and proceeded to Coteau, stopping at stations and bridges to inspect the work, then went on to Valleyfield, Rouses Point and elsewhere.
J.R. Booth appears among the inspection party.
Ottawa Free Press 1881-10-29(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-11-24Construction work near the head of Deep Cut was to commence the following morning. Ottawa Free Press 1881-11-24(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-11-29Mr. R.A. Sims, one of the contractors on the Canada Atlantic Railway, had commenced work on his section; Ald. O'Leary was expected to commence work on his section that week. Ottawa Citizen 1881-11-29(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1881-12-16Mr. W.J. Featherston was awarded the contract for getting out 60,000 ties for the Canada Atlantic Railway, to be cut on the Madawaska River. Almonte Gazette 1881-12-16(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-01-25Regular trains were now running on the Canada Atlantic Railway between High Falls and Coteau, two trains each way daily. Toronto Daily Mail 1882-01-25(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-02-07Mr. Robert McCallum, Civil Engineer Inspector of Railways for Ontario, had just closed a most satisfactory inspection of the portion of the Canada Atlantic Railway running between the Ontario border and Casselman. Some fifty miles of the line were completed and in running order between Coteau and Casselman, leaving thirty miles to complete the distance to Ottawa. Within a day or two the company's engineers would have crossed the St. Lawrence to Valleyfield, from where they would soon locate the line through to Rouses Point, where the Canada Atlantic would join several railways leading to New York, Boston or other points. Ottawa Citizen 1882-02-07(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-02-20Mr. Sims, one of the contractors for the Canada Atlantic Railway, had twenty men at work about twelve miles out the Russell road, cutting down trees and grading in preparation for the next summer's track laying. Ottawa Free Press 1882-02-20(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-02-23Between Ottawa and Casselman some 350 men were busily engaged on construction. The masonry of the bridge over the Nation River, some 350 feet long and 30 feet high, was completed by Mr. Linsley, contractor, using artificial heaters to permit work through the winter; large new arches 160 feet long were being built at Big Gully, three miles from the Nation River; masons were erecting a large culvert at South Indian creek; tenders were being received for the Rideau River and Canal bridges. Mr. D.C. Linsley, general manager, was praised for his enterprise. The line was expected complete to Ottawa by no later than the middle of July. Two passenger and two freight trains were running daily between Coteau and Casselman, with traffic already exceeding expectations. Ottawa Citizen 1882-02-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-03-31Work on the Canada Atlantic Railway was progressing favorably. It was expected the road would be completed to Ottawa by the first day of July next. Almonte Gazette 1882-03-31(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-04-06Work on the Canada Atlantic Railway was being pushed forward with the utmost dispatch. Messrs. Starrs and Fitzgerald were to begin operations on their contract the following Monday; Mr. Fitzgerald had only recently completed a large contract on the same road near Alexandria, and had made so many friends in that part of the country that he was entertained with a banquet before leaving the district. Ottawa Citizen 1882-04-06(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-04-10The road, completed from Coteau station to High Falls on the Nation River (fifty miles), had been running since the first of January between High Falls and Coteau, doing very good business with four trains per day. Within a few days the contractor would commence laying rails from High Falls toward Ottawa, fully expecting to be in the city during July. Mr. Linsley was credited for his perseverance and ability in completing the fifty miles now in operation in so short a time, the whole expense borne by private capital and two enterprising citizens. It was regretted that the city council had not carried out the ratepayers' wish and implemented the $100,000 grant. Ottawa Free Press 1882-04-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-05-10Ald. O'Leary had begun the work of grading on the Canada Atlantic Railway, with a number of men employed and intending to push on his contract as fast as possible. Ottawa Free Press 1882-05-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-06-01At Archville, work on the Canada Atlantic Railway was progressing steadily. The stone piers of the bridge across the canal were finished, pronounced excellent masonry. Messrs. Starrs and Fitzgerald were pushing forward the cutting rapidly; work on the culvert in the hollow had commenced; the masonry of the Rideau bridge was fairly under way, with large quantities of stone and materials on the ground. The activity and large number of men employed had transformed the once-quiet suburb. Ottawa Citizen 1882-06-01(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-06-13Daniel Dyer, injured earlier on the Canada Atlantic Railway's construction cars, had so far recovered as to be able to return to work. Residents of the village wondered whether the railway authorities would provide a footbridge alongside the railway bridge over the canal, which would shorten the distance to the city. Ottawa Citizen 1882-06-13(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-06-15A boy named Harris, employed driving a horse on the Canada Atlantic Railway, was drawn under one of the construction cars while in motion, which passed over his foot, crushing and bruising it badly. He was taken home and a doctor pronounced the injury painful but not serious. Ottawa Citizen 1882-06-15(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-07-01Construction was proceeding satisfactorily; a train had come within half a mile of Eastman's Springs station. Track was being laid at the rate of half a mile per day. The iron for the bridge over the Rideau River was arriving by the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Railway.
Merges two near-identical reports of the same progress, 1882-06-28 and 1882-07-01.
Ottawa Free Press 1882-06-28(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1882-07-01(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-07-04Heavy rain over the weekend stopped work on the sections of the Canada Atlantic Railway near Ottawa contracted to Messrs. Mansfield, O'Leary & Starr, and work in the vicinity of the city was suspended for a few days owing to the resulting mud.
Merges two reports of the same rain-stoppage, 1882-07-03 and 1882-07-04.
Ottawa Free Press 1882-07-03(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1882-07-04(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-07-07A temporary trestle being filled in on Mr. Starr's contract collapsed. Mr. Starr had about fifty men employed on his section of the Canada Atlantic Railway, near the head of Deep Cut, and was expected to finish his section in about a month. Ottawa Free Press 1882-07-07(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-07-10At Archville, grading and cutting between the Rideau River and Rideau Canal bridges was nearly complete, and trestle work on both bridges was being rapidly pushed forward, beginning to assume the appearance of finished structures. Ottawa Citizen 1882-07-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-07-12Construction of the Canada Atlantic Railway from Coteau Landing, to connect with the Grand Trunk at Coteau and thence to Ottawa, had commenced in early April 1881 under contractor D.C. Linsley of Burlington, Vermont, and today the work was well nigh completed, track finished to within about four miles of Hawthorne (about 10 miles from the city). Linsley introduced a new track-laying system for the country -- ties permanently packed outside the rails, so thoroughly lined that construction trains ran at up to thirty miles an hour before ballasting. Grades were easy (steepest under 35 feet per mile) and curves gentle (sharpest about 2 degrees). The road was open for passenger and freight traffic as far as South Indian with two mixed trains daily; this week traffic would extend to Eastman's Springs, though the depot site there was undecided. Section 70 (end of track to the Rideau River), under Mr. John O'Leary, was to be completed the following Saturday; O'Leary also had the masonry contract for the Rideau River (completed) and Rideau Canal (about eight days) bridges, their ironwork by the Toronto Bridge Company -- an iron truss bridge over the river and an iron swing bridge over the canal. Section 80 (Rideau River to Rideau Canal), under Fitzgerald and Starrs, would be complete in about ten days. The first locomotive was expected to steam into the city about the first of August. Steel rails were used throughout. Whether the Ottawa station would be inside or outside the city boundary remained undecided by the board, a consequence of the Corporation's refusal to grant the proposed bonus; the Chaudiere Branch route was also disputed, with residents objecting to the surveyed route, the outcome still uncertain between a station near Elgin Street and the Chaudiere lumber depot. Ottawa Citizen 1882-07-12(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-07-26Ald. O'Leary had finished work on his contract on the Canada Atlantic Railway. It was more than probable that the first train run into the city would pass over the road that day. Ottawa Citizen 1882-07-26(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-07-27A large number of men were erecting barbed wire fencing with cedar posts along the line of the railway. The first train over the new Canada Atlantic Railway bridge over the Rideau River, near Cassidy's hotel, shunted over the bridge on Tuesday; the structure stood the test well.
Merges two items published the same day, 1882-07-27.
Ottawa Citizen 1882-07-27(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Free Press 1882-07-27(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-07-28Mr. Pierce Mansfield's contract on the Canada Atlantic Railway was finished on Wednesday last, work having commenced on the 8th of May. Ottawa Free Press 1882-07-28(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-08-01Grading commenced on the first mile of the Canada Atlantic Railway on the Ottawa side of the Rideau Canal, by contractors Messrs. Macdonald and Brown; this part of the road terminated at the property of Mr. McLeod Stewart. Ottawa Citizen 1882-08-01(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-08-03A reporter touring the Canada Atlantic Railway Company's bridge over the canal with contractor Mr. Linsley found the engine 'Georgia', driven by Joe West (who claimed to be first over the bridge), uncoupled from a construction train and run east. The road was finely ballasted to within about a mile and a half of the city. The rails were the best class of steel from the Ebbw Vale Works in Wales, using Atwood's Patent Lock Nut, manufactured by Taylor of Montreal. The swing bridge across the canal was finished, and the road graded to Elgin Street, so that Ottawa residents would soon be able to reach Montreal in three and a half hours or less. Ottawa Citizen 1882-08-03(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-08-04In a report to the Board of Directors: the road was constructed and ballasted to within a half mile of the Rideau River, and the bridges over the Rideau River and Rideau Canal would be fully completed within three or four days. The road was graded to the line of Elgin Street, with ties to be laid at once, and ballasting of the whole line to Ottawa to be completed the following week. Ottawa Free Press 1882-08-04(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1882-08-16Mr. McMac, foreman of a section of the Canada Atlantic Railway then building outside the city, had a dispute with Mr. Lambton, resident engineer; as a result, some thirty-four men constituting McMac's gang immediately quit working. The dispute was said to be over wages. Ottawa Free Press 1882-08-16(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1883-08-14A reporter who went over the Western extension of the Canada Atlantic Railway found the new line would be completed in two or three days, under contractors Messrs. Brown & Wilkes with a large number of men. After leaving Elgin street station the road struck due west through the property of McLeod Stewart (an earth cutting of about three hundred yards), then continued to Mount Sherwood, where an extensive rock cutting about sixteen feet deep was crossed by two overhead bridges (106 feet at Sherwood street, 64 feet at Bell street), both built by Mr. William Palen, who held the contract for all the extension's wood work; track laying was done by Mr. Logan under chief engineer Mr. G.W. Lampman. The road then crossed the main road to Rochesterville on strong iron bridges, passed a further filling of about three hundred yards (average depth sixteen feet), and proceeded to within three hundred feet of the Dam at Rochesterville, through well cultivated and inhabited land. Two more overhead bridges remained to be built, with lumber and material already on the ground. The road had been surveyed to the Chaudiere lumber yards, where the company was putting in side tracks for lumber dealers, plus a siding on the west side of Preston street for a shunting engine to bring loaded cars to the Elgin street yard. Mr. Winnie, General Passenger and Freight Agent, said a lumber train would be put on that week, with two more regular trains to follow on final completion. Surveyors were at work on Queen street, Chaudiere, and negotiations were under way to purchase Dr. Malloch's residence on Richmond road, near the St. L. & O. Railway crossing, where the extension was proposed to cross Richmond road. Ottawa Free Press 1883-08-14(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1883-08-23The Canada Atlantic's afternoon express ran from Montreal to Ottawa in the remarkably short time of two hours and twenty-eight minutes; General Manager Linsley was on board from Alexandria to Ottawa. The road was in first-class condition, and the new schedule's fast express times were the fastest on the continent except for the express between New York and Philadelphia on the Pennsylvania Railway. Ottawa Citizen 1883-08-23(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1888-05-21The Canada Atlantic Railway Company intend repairing their line all the way to Coteau during the summer. They have put on a number of new hands for ballasting. Ottawa Citizen 1888-05-21(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher, 'Local Railway I...)
1889-10-28≥An accident recently occurring between Glen Robertson and St. Justine, about 65 miles from Ottawa, showed that it was due not to any carelessness on the part of employees or defect in the road, but rather was caused by the deliberate act of some evil-disposed person: a large freight train ran off the track through an open switch, and several cars and their contents were made a total wreck, though the engineer, fireman and other employees narrowly escaped with their lives. The company engaged Detective Gross of Montreal, who arrested, near Casselman, a former employee of the road named James Beauchamp, on whom suspicion had fallen by reason of threats he is said to have made to be revenged for his dismissal from the road. Detective Gross brought his prisoner to Ottawa on Saturday evening and he was lodged in the police station. Ottawa Citizen 1889-10-28(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1894-05-15The work of reballasting the main line of the Canada Atlantic railway from Moose Creek to this city is advancing steadily and a couple of trains are working on the section of road this side of Eastman's Springs. The roadway below Eastman's however, has not been gone over and trains are working there also. Ottawa Free Press 1894-05-15(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1894-06-02The work of reballasting the main line of the Canada Atlantic railway between Ottawa and Casselman is progressing rapidly and in a short time the whole road will be in a condition to stand several years' hard traffic. Ottawa Free Press 1894-06-02(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1897-10-15≥Mr. Walter S. Booth, railway mail clerk between Ottawa and Montreal, fell off the C.A.R. train between Alexandria and Glen Robertson and was killed. (As reported by 15 October 1897; the source dates the event only relatively.)
Two bracketing places, both with entities; filed on the Eastern Subdivision that contains them.
Eastern Ontario Review 1897-10-15(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1898-07-15A number of employees of the Bell Telephone are now in the vicinity of Alexandria and Glen Robertson. They are constructing a telephone line along the C.A.R. from Swanton to Ottawa. Eastern Ontario Review 1898-07-15(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1928-01-05≤From 5 January 1928 (the issue date), the paper announced: "When the electric cars start running next week on the Canadian National between here and Montreal on the old Grand Trunk line, it will be the first time battery cars have ever been employed on that 116.3 miles of track. Ever since the late J. R. Booth laid down the old Canada Atlantic tracks, nothing but steam train have ever passed up and down that much travelled stretch of territory." The cars were designed to do local work, leaving the steam trains to carry the fast through traffic.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision on the assumption that the Ottawa-Montreal line is meant (inference). An announcement; the equipment itself is post-Canada Atlantic and is not filed.
Ottawa Citizen 1928-01-05(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1930-05-19≥By 19 May 1930 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Failure to see an approaching train cost Harry Nicholet, of Hawthorne, Ont., the front part of his automobile. Harry, accompanied by his mother, Mrs. M. Nicholet and a cousin, Madeline Bray, were out driving Sunday morning. When crossing the C.N.R. track near Hawthorne station the auto was struck by the C.N.R. transcontinental train. Only the auto was damaged."
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision at the operator's direction; the item names Hawthorne station.
Ottawa Citizen 1930-05-19(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1936-07-27≥By 27 July 1936 (the issue date), the paper reported: George Ephrian Harper Simpson, aged 50, farmer of Vars, "was instantly killed shortly after 4 p.m., Saturday, a victim of a level crossing crash on the Russell Road, a mile east of Hurdman's Bridge", when his car collided with the Montreal-Ottawa C.N.R. local passenger train due at Union Station at 4.20 p.m. "The crossing is a double one, the C.P.R. and C.N.R. tracks running parallel." The train was in charge of conductor C. C. McCulloch and engineer Wm. T. Asher.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision as the line the crossing is on (inference, as with Hawthorne); the place itself has no entity.
Ottawa Citizen 1936-07-27(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1939-11-20≥By 20 November 1939 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Four residents of Metcalfe leaped from an automobile just before it was struck by the Montreal-Vancouver CNR flyer on a level crossing on the Russell Road two miles south of Hurdman's Bridge on Sunday at 10.35 p.m." The driver stalled the car on the tracks; it was carried 29 feet, and all four escaped. "At the point where the accident occurred there were two level crossings on the road 184 feet apart."
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision as the line the crossing is on (inference, as with Hawthorne and the 1936 Russell Road crossing).
Ottawa Journal 1939-11-20(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1940-07-08≥By 8 July 1940 (the issue date), the paper reported: Mrs. Nellie Stracey, 52, of Westmount, Que., a C.N.R. employee in Montreal, "was instantly killed" falling from the rear platform of the last coach of the Montreal-Ottawa train "a short distance west of Hawthorne station, about 5 miles from Ottawa" on Saturday night. Brakeman George Burgess "made an effort to stop her but he was too late." The Citizen gives the train as due at Union Station at 10.40 p.m., the Journal as 11.30 p.m.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision at the operator's direction for Hawthorne.
Ottawa Citizen 1940-07-08(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Journal 1940-07-08(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1940-07-13≥By 13 July 1940 (the issue date), the paper reported: A coroner's jury returned a verdict of accidental death in the case of Mrs. Nellie Stracey, who died of "cerebral haemorrhage and fracture caused by a fall from the rear coach of CNR train No. 1 at Stanley's Crossing near Hawthorne last Saturday night." Conductor Herbert Brown said the last car "was just an ordinary coach and had no bar or railing on the back. The back door was always left open so the flagman could signal the engineer."
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision (Hawthorne). Follows the death reported on 8 July 1940.
Ottawa Journal 1940-07-13(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1948-02-16≥By 16 February 1948 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Crashing into a fast-moving Ottawa-Montreal CNR freight train at a level crossing on the Russell road one-and-a-half miles east of Hurdman's bridge a few minutes after nine o'clock Saturday night, three persons were injured, all critically." The car skidded on the icy road into the middle of the train, which had left Ottawa at nine o'clock; the conductor was Alexander Callender and the engineer Edward Kemp.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision as the line the crossing is on (inference, as with the earlier Russell Road crossings).
Ottawa Citizen 1948-02-16(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1951-01-01≥By 1 January 1951 (the issue date), the paper reported: The Canadian National Railways train No. 1, Vancouver-bound from Montreal and due in Ottawa at 10.20 p.m., "had to be halted two miles east of Hurdmans Bridge with a broken wheel 'tire' on one of the rear coaches" on Saturday night and was delayed more than four hours; divisional superintendent Gordon T. Dunn said there was no derailment.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision as the line the place is on (inference, as with the earlier Hurdman items).
Ottawa Citizen 1951-01-01(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1953-01-12≥By 12 January 1953 (the issue date), the paper reported: W. J. Bleackley "narrowly escaped injury or death and his car was wrecked when it was struck by a CNR passenger train at the Riverside Drive crossing just west of the Russell road, about 12.15 a.m. Sunday."
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision (Russell Road crossings, as before).
Ottawa Journal 1953-01-12(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1953-12-14≥By 14 December 1953 (the issue date), the paper reported: Leo Groulx escaped injury when his truck "was struck by a CNR locomotive at 5.45 p.m., Saturday" at the CNR crossing at the Russell Road; he said he did not see the train or hear the whistle. Damage was $150.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision (Russell Road crossings, as before).
Ottawa Citizen 1953-12-14(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1954-10-18≥By 18 October 1954 (the issue date), the paper reported: Richard J. Dunlap's Shell Oil tanker was hit by a backing CNR train "at the Riverside Drive crossing" on Saturday night shortly after eight o'clock; he said he saw no lights except in one coach. Damage was $100.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision (Riverside Drive and Russell Road crossings, as before).
Ottawa Citizen 1954-10-18(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1956-02-28≥By 28 February 1956 (the issue date), the paper reported: Keith Sasseville, 34, "was trapped in his car when it rolled down a 40-foot ravine after ramming into a CNR baggage coach at a local unguarded crossing" at Riverside Drive, west of Hurdman's Bridge, "last night" about 8.30; a train of baggage coaches was being taken from the Union Station. "Ten persons lost their lives in the previous crossing accidents that occurred in the district", the fourth crash in the area within eight days.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision (Riverside Drive and Russell Road crossings, as before).
Ottawa Citizen 1956-02-28(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1956-03-12≥By 12 March 1956 (the issue date), the paper reported: Mr. and Mrs. Amende Matte of Hull escaped uninjured on Sunday at 5.50 p.m. when their stalled car was hit at the Russell road crossing near Hurdman's Bridge by "the CNR's Super-Continental" travelling at 35 miles an hour on the approach to Union Station. "There are no barriers or mechanical signals at the crossing."
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision (Russell Road crossings, as before).
Ottawa Citizen 1956-03-12(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1956-11-12≥By 12 November 1956 (the issue date), the paper reported: A Koffman Truck Leasing van being towed was pulled in front of an oncoming CNR train at the CNR crossing on Riverside Drive about 12.30 on Saturday afternoon; the crash hurled the van 80 feet to the bank of the Rideau River, snapping off a railway signal. Leo Beaudoin, 27, was hurt; damage was $3,500.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision (Riverside Drive crossing, as before).
Ottawa Citizen 1956-11-12(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1960-06-04≥By 4 June 1960 (the issue date), the paper reported: A 17-year-old youth "had a narrow escape from death Friday afternoon at 4.45 when his truck was in collision with a CNR freight train at the Russell Road Crossing"; the truck's load of 250 dozen eggs flew in all directions.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision (Russell Road crossings, as before).
Ottawa Citizen 1960-06-04(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1961-10-14≥By 14 October 1961 (the issue date), the paper reported: A 19-year-old Cyrville youth's car hit a C.N.R. freight train at "a Russell Road crossing three miles west of Carlsbad Springs" and "knocked 11 cars off the rails" (nine empty tankers, a freight car and the caboose); the main transcontinental line was blocked for hours and the Continental delayed 9 1/2 hours, workmen clearing it about 8.30 a.m. "Several sections of track were torn up by the impact." The injured driver needed 30 stitches.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision (Russell Road crossings, as before). The two papers differ on the time and the driver's name.
Ottawa Journal 1961-10-14(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1961-10-14(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1962-03-19≥By 19 March 1962 (the issue date), the paper reported: The C.N.R. denied reports of cuts: "Eleven CNR passenger trains between Ottawa and Montreal will continue to be operated without any reduction in service." Walter Smith, C.N.R. special representative, said "nothing" in the report that three of the eleven would be dropped; changes customarily come at the start of daylight saving on April 29 or its end on October 28.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision, the line the Ottawa-Montreal service ran over (inference).
Ottawa Citizen 1962-03-19(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1964-01-13≥By 13 January 1964 (the issue date), the paper reported: "A CNR yard engine coming off a siding onto the main line crossing Russell Road near Industrial Avenue was derailed Sunday night by a safety device": it had "failed to stop in time to await permission to go onto the main line", and was put back on the line by jacks.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision (Russell Road crossings, as before).
Ottawa Journal 1964-01-13(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1966-02-01≥By 1 February 1966 (the issue date), the paper reported: Lucien Bellefeuille, 24, and helper Ovide Poliquin "escaped serious injury when a loaded garbage truck was hit by a passenger train at a level crossing Monday at 12.40 p.m." The incident occurred "on the Ridge Road crossing half a mile south of the Russell Road"; the eastbound Canadian National Railways locomotive, engineer John Shipman, was going 20 miles an hour, took 400 yards to stop and was allowed on to Montreal for repairs (damage $3,000).
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision (Russell Road crossings, as before). The item names the Ridge Road crossing half a mile south of the Russell Road.
Ottawa Citizen 1966-02-01(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1971-02-16"Six cars of a CNR freight train, departing the Walkley marshalling yards, left the tracks at 2.35 a.m." near Russell Road; "an ice build-up and drifting snow from the weekend storm has been blamed". There were no injuries and other trains were rerouted around it; repair crews from Montreal had four cars back on the rails by noon.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision (Russell Road crossings, as before). The item names the track near Russell Road east of the Walkley yards.
Ottawa Journal 1971-02-16(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1971-02-16(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1972-04-15≥By 15 April 1972 (the issue date), the paper reported: Van driver Gurarslen Savars, 24, "received a broken leg when his vehicle was in collision with a CN freight train at a crossing on Michel [sic] Street Friday afternoon."
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision as the line the Michael Street crossing in east Ottawa is on (inference, as with the Russell Road crossings).
Ottawa Citizen 1972-04-15(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1977-01-10≥By 10 January 1977 (the issue date), the paper reported: Gerald Webb, 27, of Sarsfield, "was killed Sunday afternoon after his car collided with an eastbound Canadian National Railways passenger train at the level crossing on Russell Road, just west of Carlsbad Springs, at 2:18 p.m."; the train continued to Montreal after a short delay.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision (Russell Road crossings, as before). The item names the crossing on Russell Road just west of Carlsbad Springs.
Ottawa Citizen 1977-01-10(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1978-10-14≥By 14 October 1978 (the issue date), the paper reported: Micheline Desbiens, 53, of Hull, "was killed Friday when the car she was driving was struck by a freight train at a controlled CN crossing on Russell Road near Carlsbad Springs" at about 6.15 p.m.; the train was not derailed and no one aboard was injured.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision (Russell Road crossings, as before).
Ottawa Journal 1978-10-14(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1978-10-17(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1978-12-29≥By 29 December 1978 (the issue date), the paper reported: Roy Buckley Morrison, 61, of Rockcliffe Park, "was killed instantly Thursday when his white Cadillac Seville was hit and dragged 65 metres by a Canadian National train near the intersection of Michael and Belfast Roads in Ottawa", at "a controlled railway crossing equipped with four red flashing lights"; the car was northbound on Michael Street and the train east-bound.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision as the line the Michael Street crossing in east Ottawa is on (inference, as with the Russell Road crossings).
Ottawa Citizen 1978-12-29(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1980-10-29≥By 29 October 1980 (the issue date), the paper reported: Tony Cappallazzi "was hit by a train Tuesday, dragged 12 metres in his car along the tracks" at the level crossing on Michael Street just east of St. Laurent Boulevard, at 4 p.m., and was not hurt; the westbound VIA Rail train from Montreal had slowed on its approach to the Ottawa station. "There are no barriers at the crossing." It was "the second accident in two years at the crossing", where a Rockcliffe man died in 1978.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision as the line the Michael Street crossing in east Ottawa is on (inference, as with the Russell Road crossings).
Ottawa Citizen 1980-10-29(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1985-10-28≥By 28 October 1985 (the issue date), the paper reported: "The second accident occurred about 2 p.m. Saturday near of Belfast Road and Michael Street when a pickup truck smashed into the train." The crossing "is equipped with a flashing signal"; the Ottawa-Montreal train, going only 20 kilometres per hour, pushed the truck 80 metres, one passenger suffering a broken collar bone, and was held up one hour five minutes.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision as the line the Michael Street crossing in east Ottawa is on (inference, as with the Russell Road crossings).
Ottawa Citizen 1985-10-28(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1991-01-14≥By 14 January 1991 (the issue date), the paper reported: "Thirteen cars from a Montreal-to-Ottawa freight train jumped the tracks at Russell Road and Farmers Way near Carlsbad Springs at about 2:45 a.m. Sunday." "VIA Rail service between Ottawa and Montreal remained cut this morning"; trains were replaced by bus service for about 300 passengers while CN brought two cranes from Montreal. "No one was injured and no hazardous substances spilled"; CN said a damaged car carrying rolls of steel may have broken the tracks.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision (Russell Road crossings, as before).
Ottawa Citizen 1991-01-14(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),Ottawa Citizen 1991-01-15(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
1996-05-29≥By 29 May 1996 (the issue date), the paper reported: "A woman died Tuesday night when the van she was driving collided with a VIA Rail passenger train at a controlled railway crossing on Russell Road", west of Carlsbad Springs at about 7:50 p.m.; the train, from Montreal to Ottawa, stopped about half a kilometre on and no one aboard was hurt. "Witnesses at the scene said the railway safety lights and bells were working. There is no barrier at the crossing."
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision (Russell Road crossings, as before).
Ottawa Citizen 1996-05-29(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
2008-07-31≤From 31 July 2008 (the issue date), the paper announced: VIA Rail planned "installing new continuously-welded rail and performing other associated track work over some 40 track-miles between Coteau, PQ, and Moose Creek, ON", expected to be completed within a few months and carried out by Total Track.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision as the line the Ottawa-Montreal VIA service runs over (inference; the 2009 items call it the Alexandria Subdivision).
Canada Newswire 2008-07-31(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
2008-08-22≥By 22 August 2008 (the issue date), the paper reported: "A pilot project that would see VIA trains taking commuters between Alexandria and Ottawa could be in place by fall 2009, the mayor of Casselman said yesterday", after Mayor Conrad Lamadeleine met VIA Rail president Paul Cote with Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien. "The rail line from Alexandria in the east has scheduled improvements such as installing a passing track at Carlsbad Springs that should make a pilot project possible by 2009"; he estimated as many as 1,000 people would use the service, which would end at Ottawa's main VIA station.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision as the line the Ottawa-Montreal VIA service runs over (inference; the 2009 items call it the Alexandria Subdivision).
Ottawa Citizen 2008-08-22(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
2009-03-17Transport Minister John Baird announced on Tuesday that "the government plans to add two more trains in both directions between Ottawa and Montreal" and track improvements to speed Via Rail travel; CTV Ottawa had reported at least $10 million would be spent to improve travel time between the cities, funds put aside in the 2008 budget.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision as the line the Ottawa-Montreal VIA service runs over (inference; the 2009 items call it the Alexandria Subdivision).
CBC News 2009-03-17(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...),CTV News 2009-03-16(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
2009-03-18≥By 18 March 2009 (the issue date), the paper reported: Canada's Transport Minister and VIA Rail announced "over $13 million of improvements are now complete": "Upgrades so far on VIA's network include a $12.5M investment in the Alexandria Subdivision, between Ottawa and Montreal", with major renovations worth some $500,000 to the Ottawa station.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision as the line the Ottawa-Montreal VIA service runs over (inference; the 2009 items call it the Alexandria Subdivision).
Ottawa Sun 2009-03-18(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)
2014-09-02≥By 2 September 2014 (the issue date), the paper reported: "A fatal collision Sunday evening on the tracks near Carlsbad Springs in east Ottawa delayed 119 passengers en route to Ottawa from Montreal by more than two hours. Train No. 59 struck a trespasser on the tracks near Russell Road at around 6 p.m."; the tracks were cleared at about 8:15 p.m.
Filed on the Eastern Subdivision as the line the Ottawa-Montreal VIA service runs over (inference; the 2009 items call it the Alexandria Subdivision). The item names the tracks near Russell Road.
Ottawa Citizen 2014-09-02(Transcribed by Colin J. Churcher in 'Local Railway...)