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    The Canadian National Railway bridge was almost complete in this photo that was taken in 1901.

    Railroaders would have to dig into their memory to recall the above scene. The name on the train in the photo reads 'North Pacific Manitoba'. The roundhouse or turntable was used at the C.N.R. shops

    These men are driving pilings at the C.N.R. bridge across the Rainy River in the 1900's. These pilings are part of the platform which permits the turning of the center span of the bridge to allow hig

    Proof of Rainy River's importance as a major lumbering center in the early 1900's is evident from this photo. Thousands of board feet of lumber are piled and ready for shipment to far off markets.

    A miner's lamp ensures the burning of a protected flame in the presence of an explosive gas by regulating the necessary supply of atmospheric air and by allowing the products of combustion to pass th

    Warning lanterns were used by the trackmen to signal oncoming trains, and track conditions. A red lantern was a signal for danger. This meant that approaching trains should avoid some obstacle or acc

    The focal point of the Heritage Square in Rainy River Ontario is the '4008', a 2-10-2 Sante Fe type steam locomotive built by Dunkirk in Montreal, 1916. This locomotive was used to haul 65 cars of fr

    The conductor's job was to punch tickets of passengers with his personalized punch. A conductor could recognize a punch in the ticket and know if it was valid. At his retirement, the conductor would

    The '4008' was a 'Santa Fe' type locomotive. In it's lifetime, it pulled 65 cars and carried 5000 tons of grain from Thunder Bay to Atikokan (143 miles). It was often called the 'pig' as it used 20-2

    A look at the inside of the baggage car at the Rainy River Heritage Square Museum. Inside this exhibit are various tools used by employees of the railway. Enginemen's torch, tallow pot, Carman's lant

    A photo of the Baggage Car exhibit outside at the Rainy River Heritage Square Museum located in Rainy River Ont. Inside the baggage car are various historical artifacts pertaining to the history of t

    Another view of the baggage car at the Rainy River Heritage Square Museum in Rainy River Ontario.

    Early wooden cabooses were numbered and then assigned to conductors. It became his home away from home, and was often decorated to suit his personal tastes. The caboose would have been equipped with

    A closer view of the caboose at the Rainy River Heritage Square Museum. Each caboose was numbered and assigned to a conductor. In the early years, the caboose was equipped with a pot bellied stove, i

    The flagman's principal job was the protection of the train. His position was at the rear car of the train where he could see any approaching train and with the flagging equipment, use signals in com

    The Canadian National Railway coal docks in Rainy River, Ontario, opened in 1901 and closed in 1960.

    The famous '4008' Locomotive was built in 1916 by Dunkirk of Montreal. It was a Sante Fe type locomotive, which carried 200 pounds of steam pressure and weighed 144 tonnes(288,000 lbs). The '4008' wa

    A view of the Sante Fe, type 4008. This was the largest engine used by the C.N.R. because the trip to Rainy River and Atikokan was hillier than the average prairie landscape and required more power.

    Standing in front of the '4008' locomotive is engineer John Sirman (left) and Fireman Don Marchuk (right) of Rainy River, Ontario. These men took the steamer '4008' on its final journey, December 2,

    This is the C.N.R. rail yard in Rainy River as it appeared in 1935. It is quite a contrast from the current operation. Today the yards handle tonnage far in excess of what was handled during the 'ste