Railway Museum

All Aboard

A Brief Chronology
of
the
Harbour Grace
Railway

The building of the railway line in Newfoundland caused debate, controversy and heartache. The first mile was built in 1881. But, for some years before that, the idea had been discussed and as usual, opinion was divided. There were several points of view. Some were less than happy over the prospect that a railway would lay financial burdens on the already overburdened shoulders of the mercantile class. Others saw it as an inestimable benefit to Newfoundland. By far, the most supportive group were made up of professional men like the Scottish geologist Alex Murray and Clergymen/Writer, Irishman Rev.M. Harvey. They saw in a railway the key to unshackle the chains which, for centuries, had bound Newfoundland to dependence on an uncertain, and Impoverishing industry, the salt cod fishery.

Among the political leaders, Sir William Whiteway, who in 1875 was the M.H.A. for the district of Trinity and the Solicitor General was one of the strongest advocates of building a railway.

But his enthusiasm and opinion was not shared to any high degree by some of his colleagues. Among The more cautious was Premier Sir Frederic Carter. Nevertheless, Premier Carter recommended to the House of Assembly, that money be voted for a survey. Thus, railway legislation was passed and the vote taken for a survey approved.

1847 In its May 22 edition, the Morning Post advocated the building of the First rail line in Newfoundland.

1868 Stanford Fleming, an engineer for the Canadian Inter-colonial Railway made a proposal to the Newfoundland Government for a trans-island railway.

1878 Sir William V. Whiteway led the Liberals to victory in the general election on a platform that included a promise of action on a railway, a promise he fully intended to keep. He set up a joint committee of the Legislative Council and House of Assembly to study the question.

1880 The committee report of April 2, recommended that a narrow gauge railway be constructed.

1880 First Railway Act, was passed by the Legislature, in the Spring and Survey commenced under the supervision of Stanford Fleming.

1880 On June 26, the inhabitants of the south shore of Conception Bay, believing that all evils would happen to them if the rail line went through their lands, stoned the engineers, took away their instruments and drove them from their work. This five day riot has become known as the "Battle of Foxtrap." Later that summer the men of Tilton were away at the Labrador fishery, so the women turned out in force to oppose the railway.

1881 Nineteen engineers and helpers arrived in St .John's on the S. S Nova Scotia on July 7 for work on the rail line.

1881 Work commenced on the Railway to Harbour Grace on August 9 and at the end of the working season, Twenty miles were graded, and ten miles metalled.

1881 The first steam locomotive for the Harbour Grace line arrived in St. John's by the S.S. Merlin on December 5.

1884 On Saturday , October 4, the line to Harbour Grace via Whitbourne was completed. It was known as the Harbour Grace Railway, ‘Southern Division'.

1884 One week later on Saturday, October 11 the Harbour Grace Branch of the Newfoundland Railway was officially opened.

1912 Harbour Grace train reached St. John's February 29, after having been 13 days getting around the bay through the heavy snow drifts.

1982 On February 15, Canadian National Railway applied to the Canadian Transport Commission on behalf of Terra Transport to remove the agent and station building at Harbour Grace.

On September 20, 1984, the last train left Harbour Grace for St. John's . The train was headed by a pair of G.M. 875 H.P., Road Switchers, Nos.804 and 800. The crews were....Jerry Maddigan, Engineer, Gordon Smith, Conductor, Tom Carew, Gerry McGinnis and Job Blackmore, Trainmen.

1985 By Motion on August 7 , Council authorized the Mayor and Town Manager to sign purchase documents with Terra Transport for the railway station at the cost of $1.00.

1996 On March 11, the Harbour Grace Historical Society applied to Council for custody of the station with a view to inside restoration and making it a museum. Custody of the station was given to the Society on May 13.

1996 Historical Society began inside restoration and grounds. maintenance, August 5.