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The Glengarry & Stormont Railway
Location: The line is located in Eastern Ontario, extending between the community of Cornwall on the banks of the St Lawrence River, northeast to Soulanges, Quebec on the Winchester Subdivision of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
History: By the early 1900's, the Town of Cornwall was a growing community well serviced by two railways, the east-west Toronto to Montreal Grand Trunk line and the north-south New York Central route to Ottawa. To the north, however, was located the Montreal to Toronto main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Local business viewed the CPR as a tool in breaking the rail monopoly the GTR held in the community for products and passengers passing between the country's two largest cities. Accordingly, officials petitioned the CPR to construct a branch line into their town, a request that resulted in the formation of the Glengarry & Stormont Railway (G&SR) in May 1912. Like many other Canadian Pacific related companies, it was merely a paper company set up to deal with government railway ownership regulations of the time.
The line was proposed to be built from Cornwall east to a point near St. Polycarp, Quebec on the CPR. Surveying of the route began during 1912 and progressed into 1913 while pressure was placed on the Government for grants and subsidies. In spite of such not immediately being provided, the company proceeded with construction in 1914, utilizing the services of the Glengarry Construction Company and the Atchison Company. A station was built at the intersection of Pitt and 6th Streets in Cornwall in conjunction with a freight shed, engine house and turntable to serve the company. In May 1915, the line was officially opened for freight and passenger traffic. Subsequent to the opening of the railway, the directors of the company leased the line to the Canadian Pacific for a period of 999 years.
Approximate Mileage: 29 miles.
Current Status: Known as the Cornwall Subdivision, the line was abandoned by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1995.
Principle Stations: Cornwall, Williamstown and Soulanges (formerly St. Polycarp Junction).
Remaining Stations: Glenbrook has apparently been moved as a private residence four miles from its original site, unconfirmed. All other stations along the line have been demolished.
Last Updated: December 31, 1997
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