Ontario West Shore Railway

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

In 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

In 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

References
  1. 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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