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==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | Started in 1910, the subdivision was completed in 1914. It was officially known as the North Mountain Railway, but often called the North Mountain Line or the Weston Line. The North Mountain Line Railway Company was first incorporated in 1902 | + | Started in 1910, the subdivision was completed in 1914. It was officially known as the North Mountain Railway, but often called the North Mountain Line or the Weston Line. The North Mountain Line Railway Company was first incorporated in 1902. It received a charter to build a railway in 1904 and renewed it in 1906. However the owners lacked the money to start construction. Land acquisition and right of way permissions were sought in 1910.(1) It took the resources of the Canadian Pacific Railway to complete the line after the CPR bought the DAR in 1912. The roadbed was built by Kirk and Cooke, contractors while the stations were built by J.H. Hicks of [[Bridgetown]]. Mobilization for war in August 1914 delayed construction but intermittent freight service began in September 1914(2) with the first passenger train and full train service beginning on December 1, 1914 when the line was completed at a cost of $413,000. However the terms of the federal railway subsidy program had required that the line be completed by August 1, 1914, so the CPR had to absorb the complete cost of construction.(3) The North Mountain Railway Company was absorbed by the DAR and the line became the Weston Subdivision. It was often known collectively, with the [[:Category:Subdivision Kingsport|Kingsport Subdivision]], as the CVR (Cornwallis Valley Railway). The Weston line offered modest passenger service but hosted heavy freight volumes during the fall and winter apple season. However the decline of the Annapolis Valley's apple industry and the growth of highways caused a dramatic drop in traffic in the 1950s. |
The Weston Line was unique in several ways. Instead of station agents, it employed a travelling agent who rode with each train, selling tickets and settling freight and express as he went. The station wickets were seldom used as most business was done aboard the train, although each station did provide a waiting room with a stove and built-in benches.(4) | The Weston Line was unique in several ways. Instead of station agents, it employed a travelling agent who rode with each train, selling tickets and settling freight and express as he went. The station wickets were seldom used as most business was done aboard the train, although each station did provide a waiting room with a stove and built-in benches.(4) | ||
Revision as of 19:56, 2 February 2011
Weston Subdivision "The North Mountain Line" or "the Weston Line" 1914-1961
The Weston Subvision ran 14.5 miles west from Centreville, on the Cornwallis Valley Railway branch, to Weston. Trains originated in Kentville.
History
Started in 1910, the subdivision was completed in 1914. It was officially known as the North Mountain Railway, but often called the North Mountain Line or the Weston Line. The North Mountain Line Railway Company was first incorporated in 1902. It received a charter to build a railway in 1904 and renewed it in 1906. However the owners lacked the money to start construction. Land acquisition and right of way permissions were sought in 1910.(1) It took the resources of the Canadian Pacific Railway to complete the line after the CPR bought the DAR in 1912. The roadbed was built by Kirk and Cooke, contractors while the stations were built by J.H. Hicks of Bridgetown. Mobilization for war in August 1914 delayed construction but intermittent freight service began in September 1914(2) with the first passenger train and full train service beginning on December 1, 1914 when the line was completed at a cost of $413,000. However the terms of the federal railway subsidy program had required that the line be completed by August 1, 1914, so the CPR had to absorb the complete cost of construction.(3) The North Mountain Railway Company was absorbed by the DAR and the line became the Weston Subdivision. It was often known collectively, with the Kingsport Subdivision, as the CVR (Cornwallis Valley Railway). The Weston line offered modest passenger service but hosted heavy freight volumes during the fall and winter apple season. However the decline of the Annapolis Valley's apple industry and the growth of highways caused a dramatic drop in traffic in the 1950s.
The Weston Line was unique in several ways. Instead of station agents, it employed a travelling agent who rode with each train, selling tickets and settling freight and express as he went. The station wickets were seldom used as most business was done aboard the train, although each station did provide a waiting room with a stove and built-in benches.(4)
Every North Mountain Line station, except Somerset, served as dwellings for the Section Foremen and their families.(1) These stations were all slightly modified versions of the standard CPR Station No. 4 Plan.(5) The Billtown Station, which still survives today, was a typical example. The only other surviving station is Somerset, which was moved to Berwick, heavily modified and converted to a private home.
On January 31, 1961 the entire Weston Subdivision was abandoned as the CVR was reduced to a spur from Kentville to Mill Village.
Trains
Train No. 21 Noon to Kentville
Train No. 22 Morning to Weston
Train No. 23 Evening to Kentville
Train No. 24 Afternoon to Weston
Gallery
"Atalanta" at Weston with driver Dan Deloughry.
The Billtown Station, used for storage in Lakeville, April 6, 2008.
"The Station Master", a groundhog in the Billtown Station, April 6, 2008.
Topographical map of Weston Subdivision
References and Footnotes
(2) Letter Alex Ferguson Inspection Engineer, Dept of Railways and Canals, Jan. 14, 1916, Library and Archives Canada RG43-A-1-12, Vol. 227, File 3125
(3) Mrs. John Horsnell, typescript history "North Mountain Line", Weston binder, Kings Historical Society, Kentville
(4) The Weston Branch and Margaretville in Nova Scotia by Elizabeth M. Clarke, page 13 and addendum insert
(5) Station No. 4: General Arrangement at Canadian Pacific Historical Association and Station No. 4: Cross Section & details at Canadian Pacific Historical Association
External Links
- Ivan Smith's History of the CVR at ROCA.
- Ivan Smith's History of Railway Companies in Nova Scotia
- 1949 Dominion Atlantic Railway Passenger train service schedule at Ivan's Smith's site
- Ivan Smith's North Valley Railway Overview.
- Mike's CVR Fruit Warehouses Photo Page and Slide Show
- Mike's CVR Fruit Warehouses Google Map]
Locations
Locations categorised under "W" are on the Centreville to Weston leg (west). <math>Insert formula here</math>
Pages in category "Subdivision Weston"
The following 8 pages are in this category, out of 8 total.
