Grand Trunk Pacific Railway - A Research Project | Chapter 9
The Rivers Railway Facilities
By Ken Storie
Related Collection: Grand Trunk Pacific Railway
This aerial view of the Rivers Yards shows the main features, as they appeared around 1945.
The C.N.R. Station, which replaced the Great Northern Station after the fire of 1917.
The Alexandra Hotel – conveniently located across from the station.
The Coal Dock – a mechanized re-fueling station. South of the station.
Water Towers – Water was pumped from a dam on the Little Saskatchewan, nearly a kilometre to the south.
The Roundhouse, built in 1908 and re-built in 1918. The standard service centre found at divisional points on major rail lines. With a turnable for turning the steam engines around after service.
This map shows the larger area.
The Rivers Grand Trunk Pacific Station, 1908 – 1917
Station Fire, March 4,1917
The Rivers Trestle Bridge, first used in 1908, shown here about 1910.
Grant’s Cut – an excavation that allows for a gentle decline to the trestle bridge.
Bell’s Crossing – important road crossing before the modern highways were built.
Modern bridge alongside the former site of Bell’s Crossing, showing the rail line curving in to Grant’s Cut.
The Pumphouse on the Little Saskatchewan River – Steam Engines needed a good supply of water.
Former site of CPR. Dam, now washing away.
Aerial Views: The dam was quite near the rival C.P. line at Cossar Crossing.
Cossar Crossing – A bridge and siding on the C.P.R. Lenore Branch