Heritage Railway
HISTORY AND FUN AT THE WATERFRONT
Engine Number One
North Bay Museum Forder Collection
In 1994, Mayor Stan Lawlor and Dr. Rod Johnston proposed that North Bay should have a Heritage Railway so its rail history would be preserved and also give rides. It could be located at North Bay’s Waterfront on land owned by the City.
So, with a few volunteers of a railway background, Lawlor and Johnston traveled to Cleveland, Ohio and bought a steam-powered miniature locomotive. As well, they bought a gasoline-powered diesel locomotive and three passenger cars. They did it with a $50,000 loan from the City, guaranteed through Dr. Johnston.
The equipment was brought to North Bay and, during the winter of 1994, the two locomotives and three cars were cleaned and sandblasted and painted the ONR colours, green and yellow.
In the spring, the track bed of 2740 feet (835 metres) was covered with gravel and stone and laid with rails used in mines. At 4:35 the afternoon of Friday, July 29th, 1994, everyone went home, cleaned up and came back for the grand opening. That first holiday weekend the little Heritage Railway operated both engines and three cars and carried 2,800 passengers at $1.00 a ride!
Over the intervening years the equipment continued to be upgraded. The Canadian Pacific donated a used Caboose for an office and storage area. A further dieselpowered locomotive with three cars was purchased. And, in 2006, a battery-operated “Lucy Dalton” replica engine was built here in North Bay.
In December 2008, the one millionth passenger was celebrated. On August 31, 2024, the Heritage Railway and Carousel Company had its 30th anniversary and the two millionth passenger!
Information provided by Don Coutts and Colin Vezina
Building the Lucy Dalton
Courtesy of Rod Johnston
Laying Track for the Heritage Railway
Courtesy of Rod Johnston
Did You Know…
Five jail inmates, who volunteered, helped lay the track in one week in June 1994. They came with a guard.
In June 2018, the Wheelchair Accessible Train Coach was introduced. It can carry 2 wheelchairs including motorized wheelchairs.
Rails used in Northern Ontario mines (all 5480 feet (1670 metres) of it) was donated by Redpath Canada.
The Last Spike (Mayor Lawlor as guest conductor)
Courtesy of Rod Johnston
Remember When…
“I like to think that all of my life experiences led me to work on the Heritage Railroad. Many of my ancestors seemed to gravitate to work on ferries, railroads, and streetcars. My education, with a degree in agricultural technology, taught me about machinery like harrows and combines. And I have 38 years in the military (Air Force) dealing with telecommunication.
“Now that I am retired, volunteer work on the Heritage Railroad gives me something to do with a like-minded group of friends. But mostly I love it because it brings innocent joy to everyone from children to grandparents.
“Some incidents from the last 20 years come to mind. In September of 2007, a couple arrived with two teddy bears and a camera, and asked if they could pose the teddies on the train. With the help of lots of duct tape, we helped the toys climb up to, drive and ride on the train. It turns out, these folks were primary teachers from Ireland who used the photos and video to teach world geography, specifically a visit to our feature attraction!
“I like to recall a visit in 2014 of a couple from Poland who had rented a car in Toronto just to visit us. As they signed the visitors’ book, the gentleman promised he would return in five years with his family. Sure enough, five years later he dropped in to say hello, with 36 members of his family!
“The best recent innovation has been the addition of a handicapped car, that will take two wheelchair riders at a time for double rides around the track. One older lady purchased seven tickets which gave her 14 joyful rides. She had been in a wheelchair since her childhood.”
Volunteer Laughlin “Red” Trowsdale