Old Time Trains

History of Connaught Tunnel

So many misconceptions have arisen concerning the early history of the tunnel that F. W. Alexander, Chief Engineer, western lines, Winnipeg, recently compiled a history. Among other facts vouched for by Mr. Alexander are these:

First train through Connaught Tunnel, other than work train, was on December 6, 1916, Extra 3869, westbound, engineer Rutherford, Conductor Cormier, with 14 loads, 20 empties, and private car " Champlain," 918 tons exclusive of the " Champlain." Mr. D. C. Coleman, who was at that time Assistant General Manager, occupied car " Champlain." Train passed east portal 21.01K and at west portal 21.49K.

This train could not make complete passage west by new main line as old main line was still in place just west of Glacier station blocking passage on new main line. West of tunnel, a temporary line was used from tunnel to Old Cambie.

The portion of the old main line that blocked new fine was removed on the morning of the ninth.

The first train to make continuous passage by using Connaught Tunnel and new main line was train No. 1, December 9, with twelve cars, Engine 567, Engineer Louis Patrick; Engine 3846, Engineer Dan MacLeod assisting; Conductor Chester Armstrong, Train passed East Portal at 14.19K, West Portal 14.35K.

Officials present at the opening of the tunnel on December 9, 1916, were the late Grant Hall, D. C. Coleman, William Pearce, William Cross, P. L. Naismith, J. G. Sullivan, Frank Lee, C. H. Temple, F. W. Peters, J. M. Cameron, W. A. Mather, F. W. Alexander, C. J. Turquand, F. E. Trautman, J. M. McKay, T. H. Crump, R. Sinclair, A. Sturrock, A. Brown, W. Miller, J. H. Sheehan, Y. Z. Choate, W. A. James, G. Wady, C. L. Leighty and C. B. Home.

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Old Time Trains © 2009

History of Connaught Tunnel

So many misconceptions have arisen concerning the early history of the tunnel that F. W. Alexander, Chief Engineer, western lines, Winnipeg, recently compiled a history. Among other facts vouched for by Mr. Alexander are these:

First train through Connaught Tunnel, other than work train, was on December 6, 1916, Extra 3869, westbound, engineer Rutherford, Conductor Cormier, with 14 loads, 20 empties, and private car " Champlain," 918 tons exclusive of the " Champlain." Mr. D. C. Coleman, who was at that time Assistant General Manager, occupied car " Champlain." Train passed east portal 21.01K and at west portal 21.49K.

This train could not make complete passage west by new main line as old main line was still in place just west of Glacier station blocking passage on new main line. West of tunnel, a temporary line was used from tunnel to Old Cambie.

The portion of the old main line that blocked new fine was removed on the morning of the ninth.

The first train to make continuous passage by using Connaught Tunnel and new main line was train No. 1, December 9, with twelve cars, Engine 567, Engineer Louis Patrick; Engine 3846, Engineer Dan MacLeod assisting; Conductor Chester Armstrong, Train passed East Portal at 14.19K, West Portal 14.35K.

Officials present at the opening of the tunnel on December 9, 1916, were the late Grant Hall, D. C. Coleman, William Pearce, William Cross, P. L. Naismith, J. G. Sullivan, Frank Lee, C. H. Temple, F. W. Peters, J. M. Cameron, W. A. Mather, F. W. Alexander, C. J. Turquand, F. E. Trautman, J. M. McKay, T. H. Crump, R. Sinclair, A. Sturrock, A. Brown, W. Miller, J. H. Sheehan, Y. Z. Choate, W. A. James, G. Wady, C. L. Leighty and C. B. Home.