I’m looking for information on any lines that ran through the areas bordered by Lake Huron-west side, Georgian Bay-north side, Barrie,ON-east side, and London-Kitchner, ON on the south.
The time period between 1950’s to 1980. Any info would be helpful, ex; location of lines, rail yards, shops, and any serviced industries. Leads and links to sources, and sites. I believe the main operators were Canadian National, and Canadian Pacific. If there were any other smaller systems, Company names would be appricated.
Check out Ian Wilson’s series of books on the CNR in this region during the 1950s. I think that pretty well all of the CNR lines are covered, most with track diagrams for each town. There are also lots of great photos and some entertaining writing, too.
I’ve been researching the Niagara Peninsula in the 50’s, and came across a historical topo map of Buffalo NY that includes Fort Erie and a little further west and north. Its a good resource for general route info and overall yard layout & sidings, but I agree with Wayne that Wilson’s book(s) are an excellent reference for CNR operations (I have Steam to the Niagara Frontier).
I’ve been trying to locate similar Canadian topo maps (40’s/50’s vintage) without success. Does anyone know if they exist?
Chubaka, I e-mailed the following to you, but it was returned. I thought also that I had PM’ed it to you, but if not, here’s the info for anybody who needs it:
I just wanted to let you know that there are, so far, 7
books in the series, with an eighth due out next month. One
deals with northern Ontario, but the rest cover southern and
southwestern Ontario, about as far east as Barrie/Orillia,
and to North Bay.
I believe that some are already out of print, although
copies do show up at train shows or in hobbyshops.
Here are the titles, in chronological order (I've included
the ISBN numbers of those that I have, as you may be able to
get them through your local library). The book due in
November will deal with Hamilton and some of the lines in
the area, although many were touched upon in the earlier
volumes. As a native Hamiltonian, I'm really looking
forward to this one.
Steam at Allandale ISBN 0-9683815-0-2
To Stratford Under Steam ISBN 0-9683815-1-0
Steam Over Palmerston ISBN 0-9683815-2-9
Steam Through London ISBN 0-9683815-3-7
Steam to the Niagara Frontier ISBN 0-9683815-4-5
Steam in Northern Ontario
Steam Scenes at Allandale ISBN 978-0-9683815-6-4
The last book listed is a companion to the first one on the
list. All volumes have a system map of
southern/southwestern Ontario in the opening pages, then
each chapter takes you over a subdivision, as if you were on
a train, with photos and trackage diagrams of each town.
Each diagram indicates where the trackage goes beyond the
drawing. There is also an accompanying dialogue to tie
everything together.
I hope that this information will be of some use to you.