June 30, 1960  Among the bridge highlights on July 30,1960 was the presentation of the steam locomotive '4008' to the town of Rainy River by C.N.R. VP J.R. McMillian. Among those on the platform with the vice president of western region Mr. McMillian (at front) are Hon. James Maloney,Min.of Mines(left), Mrs....

 1901  The Canadian National Railway bridge was almost complete in this photo that was taken in 1901.

 1900  Railroaders would have to dig into their memory to recall the above scene. The name on the train in the photo reads 'North Pacific Manitoba'. The roundhouse or turntable was used at the C.N.R. shops to service the locomotives that were in for repair. The Turntable would turn the trains around and...

 1900  These men are driving pilings at the C.N.R. bridge across the Rainy River in the 1900's. These pilings are part of the platform which permits the turning of the center span of the bridge to allow higher than usual river craft to pass.

 ~1900  Proof of Rainy River's importance as a major lumbering center in the early 1900's is evident from this photo. Thousands of board feet of lumber are piled and ready for shipment to far off markets.

   A miner's lamp ensures the burning of a protected flame in the presence of an explosive gas by regulating the necessary supply of atmospheric air and by allowing the products of combustion to pass through without igniting the gaseous atmosphere. If the atmosphere is so heavily charged that noxious...

   Warning lanterns were used by the trackmen to signal oncoming trains, and track conditions. A red lantern was a signal for danger. This meant that approaching trains should avoid some obstacle or accident on the track. A green light, unlike our traffic lights, did not mean go ahead, but instead...

   The focal point of the Heritage Square in Rainy River Ontario is the '4008', a 2-10-2 Sante Fe type steam locomotive built by Dunkirk in Montreal, 1916. This locomotive was used to haul 65 cars of freight between Rainy River and Atikokan during the 50's. This locomotive was donated by R.J....

   The conductor's job was to punch tickets of passengers with his personalized punch. A conductor could recognize a punch in the ticket and know if it was valid. At his retirement, the conductor would be presented with his punch as a reward and memento of his years of service. The sleeping car...

   The '4008' was a 'Santa Fe' type locomotive. In it's lifetime, it pulled 65 cars and carried 5000 tons of grain from Thunder Bay to Atikokan (143 miles). It was often called the 'pig' as it used 20-25 tons of coal during each trip. The last trip for the '4008' was on Dec.2,1958. The engineer...

   A look at the inside of the baggage car at the Rainy River Heritage Square Museum. Inside this exhibit are various tools used by employees of the railway. Enginemen's torch, tallow pot, Carman's lantern, Operators hoop are just a few of the memorabilia that can be seen at the museum.

   A photo of the Baggage Car exhibit outside at the Rainy River Heritage Square Museum located in Rainy River Ont. Inside the baggage car are various historical artifacts pertaining to the history of the Canadian National Railway in the surrounding Rainy River/Fort Frances area.

   Another view of the baggage car at the Rainy River Heritage Square Museum in Rainy River Ontario.

   Early wooden cabooses were numbered and then assigned to conductors. It became his home away from home, and was often decorated to suit his personal tastes. The caboose would have been equipped with a pot-bellied stove, ice box, and three beds which would have been used by the conductors and...

   A closer view of the caboose at the Rainy River Heritage Square Museum. Each caboose was numbered and assigned to a conductor. In the early years, the caboose was equipped with a pot bellied stove, ice box and sleeping quarters for the trainmen on the train. With the 'Run Through', sleeping...

   The flagman's principal job was the protection of the train. His position was at the rear car of the train where he could see any approaching train and with the flagging equipment, use signals in compliance with the rules of the railway. This flagging lamp can be seen at the Rainy River Heritage...

   The Canadian National Railway coal docks in Rainy River, Ontario, opened in 1901 and closed in 1960.

   The famous '4008' Locomotive was built in 1916 by Dunkirk of Montreal. It was a Sante Fe type locomotive, which carried 200 pounds of steam pressure and weighed 144 tonnes(288,000 lbs). The '4008' was 81 feet long x 14'11' high and 10'95/8' wide.

   A view of the Sante Fe, type 4008. This was the largest engine used by the C.N.R. because the trip to Rainy River and Atikokan was hillier than the average prairie landscape and required more power. The final run for the '4008' was on December 2, 1958, with engineer John Sirman and fireman Don...

   Standing in front of the '4008' locomotive is engineer John Sirman (left) and Fireman Don Marchuk (right) of Rainy River, Ontario. These men took the steamer '4008' on its final journey, December 2, 1958.Brother Sirman was the last engineer to drive the C.N.R. second heaviest steam driven...

 1935  This is the C.N.R. rail yard in Rainy River as it appeared in 1935. It is quite a contrast from the current operation. Today the yards handle tonnage far in excess of what was handled during the 'steam engine' days. This is done without the benefit of the shops, coal docks, turntable, freight...

 1935  A view of the Canadian National Railway yards as it appeared in 1935, looking east in Rainy River, Ontario. This is quite a contrast from today's local operation which handles tonnage far in excess of the 'steam engine' days, without the benefit of the shops, coal docks, turntable, freight shed,...

 1900  Aerial view of Rainy River showing the importance as a major lumbering centre as early as 1900. Rainy River was the mid point transfer for shipment of grain from the west and lumber to the east, for shipment to far off markets.

 1973  On September 3,1973, a historical plaque commemorating the Canadian Northern Railway was unveiled at Rainy River. Shown from left to right-John Sirman (C.N.R. Rainy River), Arthur Solomomian,(Clerk-Treasurer Rainy River), Lloyd Gooding, (Area Manager C.N.R.Winnipeg), C. Olinyk (Mayor, Rainy...

 June 2002  In this photo we see the damage to C.N.R. tracks, hydro lines and culverts that resulted after the heavy rainfall in June 2002. This aerial photo was taken two miles from Flanders Station near Rainy River, Ontario.

 June 2002  Aerial shot of damage caused near Flanders Station.

 June 2002  Aerial view of the washout of the tracks on the Seine River near Flanders Station, Ontario.

 June 2002  Coloured photo of the rise in river flow after the flood in June 2002, Rainy River Ontario.

 June 2002  An aerial view of the damage to the C.N.R. tracks over the Seine River, June 2002. This aerial photo of the Seine River, was taken two miles from Flanders Station.

 June 2002  Damage to the railroad tracks was caused by heavy rainfall in the area of Rainy River-Fort Frances.

 June 2002  Aerial view of the damage to C.N.R tracks over the Seine River after a heavy rainfall. Photo was taken on June 11, 2002.

 June 2002  Coloured aerial photo of C.N.R. train tracks buried in erosion caused by the heavy rainfalls that occurred in this Northwestern region during the month of June 2002.

 June 11 2002  Aerial view of damage to C.N.R. tracks submerged by tree boughs and debris from overflow of the river.

   The gentlemen that wore these hats were conductors for the railroad. In this position, they were the most visible of the railway men. They were responsible for assisting the public traveling on the trains. Their principal task would have been to punch the tickets. The conductor's punch was...

   An earlier glimpse of the C.N.R. depot in Rainy River. Rainy River was the division point between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg. The dimensions of the 129'x30' depot is unique as it has the absence of a bay window, commonly found in other C.N.R. terminals. This station was built in 1918 and there are...

   The above chart is a diagram of the braking system used on the Santa Fe 4008.