Ontario West Shore Railway

The Ontario West Shore Railway is a historic Canadian railway that operated in Ontario.

The company started construction on a railway line between Goderich and Kincardine in the early 1900s, however 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

In 1902, Moyes incorporated the Huron, Bruce and Grey Electric Railway then 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 branch to Amberley and 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] while the townships rejected the plan.[7][8]

Goderich to Kincardine

In 1906, after the company has been renamed the Ontario West Shore Railway, the municipalities provide 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, as being loaded along the track.[11]

In January, 1912, the company defaulted on their bonds to the municipalities.[12] The line was never completed.

References

  1. 1 2 The Goderich Star, August 28, 1908
  2. ↑ The Goderich Star, March 7, 1902
  3. ↑ The Goderich Star, April 11, 1902
  4. ↑ The Goderich Star, July 4, 1902
  5. ↑ The Goderich Star, November 14, 1902
  6. ↑ The Goderich Star, December 5, 1902
  7. ↑ The Goderich Star, December 19, 1902
  8. ↑ The Goderich Star, January 23, 1903
  9. ↑ The Goderich Star, October 2, 1908
  10. ↑ The Signal (Goderich), August 10, 1911
  11. ↑ The Signal (Goderich), November 23, 1911
  12. ↑ The Signal (Goderich), January 4, 1912
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