GTP/CN-Graham Subdivision MP 26-26.7 II (Dona Station)

Video of the former Grand Trunk Pacific Railway-Lake Superior Division, Canadian Government Railways-Fort William Subdivision, Canadian National Railways-Fort William/Lake Superior/Graham/Crest Subdivision at Kaministiquia, ON. Features the grade along Silver Falls Road with rock cuts, an unusual mystery foundation and the remains of the section house and water tank at Dona Station.
Part 2 of 3.
Active, 1908-1925.
For more information on Dona Station, please visit:
padwrr.com/gra...
For more information on this portion of the Grand Trunk, please visit:
padwrr.com/gra...
Topographic Maps:
borealisdata.ca/
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[@kam75]

13:27 found a few short square nails here must have been used to attached the wood siding to the tower....some rail spikes too.

[@kam75]

mmmm 2:00 thats different.....That road went into an active gravel pit mid 70's and back, may have had a weigh scale setup on the in road...I can't quite recall, need a resident that lived here pre 1975. One I knew is gone now. He lived close by and seen everything I bet.

[@padwrr]

Yes, it's a bit of a mystery. Seems too far away from the grade to be something railway related, but who knows.

[@154Colin]

A lot of the grades you, you kids and Luna have traveled could be looked at as the "Appalachian Trail of Canada."

[@padwrr]

Well, I'll have to take your word for it as I've never visited that trail.

[@154Colin]

@@padwrr I haven't either. The terrain you have encountered is not as rugged, but there are elements there that are a challenge nevertheless.

[@padwrr]

The Canadian Shield is beautiful, but not easy to get through. There are plenty of documentation of how brutal construction was in this part of the country.

[@foamer443]

Section house!! That's huge!! I'm used to some small, basically sheds. Big enough to hold maybe two giggers and various hand tools with maybe one having space for the foreman's desk, chair and filing cabinet. Was this meant to actually be 'home', with living facilities for the section crew? Or multiple crews?

[@padwrr]

I'm not quite sure what the situation was, but I'm guessing it was meant to more of a home. You can see a photo of it on my website: padwrr.com/grand-trunk-pacific-railway/dona/

[@kam75]

15:00 on website photo shows a tool shed to the right of this tower base in this view...

[@padwrr]

Yes, I forgot to talk about that. It could have also been the pump house for the tank. Sometimes I have so much stuff running through my mind when I do these explorations that I'll forget things. That's why I carry those pieces of paper with info on it.

[@chooch9816]

Where exactly did the GTP line terminate to the west when the 26 mile section was abandoned? I assume around the Sunshine area if I understand correctly. As well is there video and or photographs where it exactly met up with the CNR line?

[@padwrr]

It was located near Sistonens Corners and was called Conmee Junction. The junction was there from 1924 when the new section of line opened until 1994 when the Graham Sub was abandoned. The videos are mostly done for this area, but I want to go back in the fall to get some new drone footage. You can see some photos and maps on my website: padwrr.com/grand-trunk-pacific-railway/ padwrr.com/canadian-northern-railway/canadian-northern-railway-west/conmee-junction/

[@chooch9816]

@@padwrr Thanks! I will definitely check it out…