The Ontario West Shore Railway is a historic railway that operated in Ontario, Canada.
The company started construction on a railway line between Goderich and Kincardine in the early 1900s, but the line was never completed. The company's president was J. W. Moyes of Toronto, Ontario.[1] Moyes was neither wealthy nor a railroad man.
Huron, Bruce and Grey Electric Railway
editIn 1902, Moyes incorporated the Huron, Bruce and Grey Electric Railway and proceeded to lobby local municipalities for capital.[2] He asked the town of Goderich for $50,000, the township of Ashfield for $50,000 and $25,000 each from Colbourne and West Wawanosh townships.[3]
The initial scheme was to build a railroad from Goderich to Dunlop. From Dunlop, the line was to split with one branch to Amberley and another to Dungannon. A third branch would be built from Saltford to Blyth. Freight and daily passenger service would operate on all lines.[4][5]
Each municipality held a vote on the scheme. Goderich approved the $50,000 investment,[6] but the townships rejected the plan.[7][8]
Goderich to Kincardine
editIn 1906, after the company was renamed the Ontario West Shore Railway, the municipalities provided funding for a single line extending from Goderich to Kincardine. Goderich commits $150,000, Kincardine $50,000, and the townships commit money as well.[1]
In 1908, work on the track is started in Port Albert.[9] By the end of summer 1911, the railroad was completed from Goderich to Kintail.[10] At that point, one car of freight per day, mostly grain, was being loaded along the track.[11]
In January, 1912, the company defaulted on their bonds to the municipalities.[12] The line was never completed.
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b The Goderich Star, August 28, 1908
- ^ The Goderich Star, March 7, 1902
- ^ The Goderich Star, April 11, 1902
- ^ The Goderich Star, July 4, 1902
- ^ The Goderich Star, November 14, 1902
- ^ The Goderich Star, December 5, 1902
- ^ The Goderich Star, December 19, 1902
- ^ The Goderich Star, January 23, 1903
- ^ The Goderich Star, October 2, 1908
- ^ The Signal (Goderich), August 10, 1911
- ^ The Signal (Goderich), November 23, 1911
- ^ The Signal (Goderich), January 4, 1912