The Canadian Northern Railway

Photo by Michael Dube - July 10, 2006

Plaque Location

The District of Rainy River
The Town of Rainy River
Beside CNR steam locomotive 4008, Highway 11, just east of the international border, Rainy River

Plaque Text

Incorporated in 1899 under the leading railway promoters Sir William Mackenzie and Sir Donald Mann, the Canadian Northern undertook construction of a line from Winnipeg to Port Arthur. Avoiding Lake of the Woods, the rail line left Manitoba at Sprague, crossed a small portion of Minnesota, and re-entered Canada at Rainy River. Construction of a rail bridge at Rainy River in 1902 coincided with completion of the railway to Lake Superior. By 1906 the Canadian Northern had acquired rail lines and traffic rights to the east coast, and in 1915 reached Vancouver, thus becoming a transcontinental line. It played a significant role in the development of northwestern Ontario and the Prairies. The line eventually formed part of the Canadian National Railway.