Newfoundland Railway

The Railway was a critical part of Newfoundland's history from 1882 until 1988. It enabled Newfoundlanders to travel far and wide. It brought freight of all kinds, but most of all it proved that Newfoundland had truly entered an age of prosperity. The railway was originally called the "people's road" and was meant to last forever.

Unfortunately, the high cost of maintaining the service and the slowness of the trains (22 hours from St. John's to Port aux Basques - 12 hours by car) ultimately forced the shutdown of the rail service in 1988. It was replaced by a modern and efficient Bus Service, but for those of us that grew up "riding the rails", there will always be a special place for the trains.
 

The first excursion on the Newfoundland Railway, St. John's to Topsail, June 29, 1882.

Engine # 309, a Mikado class locomotive from about 1925. One of the first trains to traverse the island of Newfoundland.

Engine # 593, was taken out of service in 1957 and placed on display at Humber Mouth, Corner Brook, in 1959.

Push Plow #3460, is just one of the many snow plows that were used to clear a path through the huge snow banks covering the tracks. Sometimes the snowdrifts were higher than the train.

This Dining Car was refurbished by the Railway Society of Newfoundland and is on display at Corner Brook. I remember, as a very young child, traveling to Bishop's Falls (with my Mom) and having a fine meal in dining cars just like this one.

These "speeders" were used by railway men to travel to and from work sites and maintain the tracks and railway system. they were a very common sight when I was growing up in Corner Brook in the 60's and 70's.

Volunteers from the Railway Society of Newfoundland lovingly maintain the trains on display at Humber Mouth, Corner Brook. The site is free of charge (donations accepted).

The real fun, of visiting the trains in Corner Brook, is in climbing aboard. All areas of the trains are open for your "inspection". make sure the Conductor stamps your ticket.

This diesel, seen going through St. Fintan's in 1989, was the last train we ever seen in Newfoundland. It was a sad sight for Cathy. Her home town of St. Fintan's was built around the Train Station and the train's nightly whistle call was a familiar sound. The train service was shutdown in 1998 and trains, like the one above, set out taking up the tracks.

Last Spikes

The bookends above were made by my Dad (Reg Burt) from the "last spikes" of the dismantled Newfoundland Railway.

The trestles and railway beds serve other purposes now. Newfoundlanders use them as a recreational area and for access to swimming holes and fish ponds. Snowmobilers, fisherman, and hunters have taken advantage of the now empty railway tracks.