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Kirkfield Crushed Stone

Mile 26.5 CNR Coboconk Subdivision

Extra 3228_3282 doubleheading with loads from Kirkfield crossing Highway 35 in Lindsay on Midland Subdivision.
July 1958 Bill Thomson

Note: CNR handling 45 loads per day in 1955.


Gallery 1

by R. L. Kennedy

All photographs by the author, August 1961.

Narrow gauge engine shoving cars towards incline for unloading.

Kirkfield Crushed Stone located east of Orillia was the last steam industrial operation in Ontario. The quarry operation was narrow gauge (3 foot) with two trains in constant use. Standard gauge trackage was at the crusher and connected with the CNR Coboconk Subdivision. In 1961 the spare narrow gauge steam locomotive was long out of service as was the standard gauge saddletanker. It closed at the end of season in 1961. The Whitcomb 0-4-0 unit went to parent company Dufferin Construction's Dufferin Street plant in Toronto where one of the narrow gauge steam engines was displayed for some time on the front lawn of their offices. All of the steam locomotives were saved, although none have been operated.


4103 Vulcan #4103
Aug. 1930

4104 Vulcan #4104 Aug. 1930

1419 Vulcan #1419 Nov. 1909

no# MLW #54319 8/15
standard gauge

no# Whitcomb #13041 5/1930 standard gauge

engine coal and water

narrow gauge four wheel dump cars

quarry trackage


loading in quarry

link and pin couplers

1 man "crew" firing engine

leaving the quarry, shoving 10 cars. One of two identical trains in constant use.

working hard, upgrade

shoving towards incline

cable hauls car up incline

loco crane and crawler

 


Gallery Two

Old Time Trains Virtual Archives

Digital restoration courtesy of Gordon Kennedy.

1961

Leaving the quarry pit area with loads.

Working hard upgrade from the quarry bottom

Ten 4-wheel dump cars were made up into two identical sets.

Still working hard up the grade from the quarry.

Train of empties returning backing up.

Crossing private road.

Both engines side-by-side.

Note ash and coal piles.


Closeup of plant

Closeup of square water tower and coal pile.
Note scrap wood in background to start loco fire.

 



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