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The Kingston & Pembroke Railway

Location: The Kingston & Pembroke Railway is located in eastern Ontario, connecting the Lake Ontario port city of Kingston with Renfrew in the Ottawa Valley. The line was never constructed beyond Renfrew to Pembroke.

History: The Kingston & Pembroke Railway (K&PR) was incorporated in April 1871 by a group of local Kingston businessmen for the purpose of constructing a rail line north to a point in the Ottawa Valley at or near Pembroke. Additional powers were also granted at that time for branch lines extending east into Quebec. The project was one of many that were floating around at the time, the intent being to secure for the community of Kingston a share in the natural resources (logging and mining) and potential markets available to the north. Financing for the project was to be taken care of by counties and communities affected, in addition to traditional government aid. It was anticipated that the terminus for the railway would be on the Kingston waterfront where yards, docks, a roundhouse and warehouse facilities would be constructed.

Surveying of the line began in 1872 with construction commencing soon after from Kingston. Progress was initially slow, however, given the rough terrain to be found to the north of the city, and the continual shortage of capital. In June 1875, the company was reorganized and the first portion of track opened 29 miles north to a place known as Iron Junction. As well, a small branch line was built east from the mainline at Godfrey into a mine at Glendower. By May 1876, the project had reached Sharbot Lake 47 miles north of Kingston while, in the fall of 1878, the railway was completed to Mississippi. In Kingston via the Grand Trunk Railway (GTR), connections were made with American boat lines, allowing for the transfer of passengers and material across to Cape Vincent, New York.

With the completion of the Canada Central Railway north along the Ottawa River Valley to Mattawa in 1876, the necessity to close the gap at Pembroke became less critical. Even at that time, there was no need for the duplication of lines in the area. Accordingly, the K&PR was granted powers to make connections with the Canada Central at any point before Pembroke. In the interim, work continued on the rail line, opening to Lavant in 1881, Clyde Forks in 1882, and Barryvale in 1883. As well, the Glendower branch was extended several miles east to Zaneville. In 1884, the mainline was open to Calabogie. It was in this area that the K&PR was forced to spend substantial amounts of money on track construction, having to deal with major trestle, fill and rock cut works. From Calabogie, there remained only fifteen more miles to Renfrew where connections could be made with the CPR. The gap was finally joined by the end of that year. This was as close, however, as the line would get to its namesake community, Pembroke.

The next major construction initiative for the company was extending its tracks south to the Kingston waterfront in 1886, portions of the right-of-way being shared with the GTR. Here, the company built a new station and other terminal buildings. Other changes to the operation of the line included the obtainment of running rights by the Napanee, Tamworth & Quebec Railway from Harrowsmith south to Kingston in 1889, a situation that continued until 1925 when Canadian National chose to suspend further use. The volume of Ottawa Valley traffic originally anticipated by the railway never really materialized for the K&PR, forcing the company to rely primarily on local traffic. This became increasingly difficult given the sparse population of the lands the railway served, in addition to competition from motor vehicles. The main sources of revenue, however, tended to be derived from lumber and some iron and ore traffic. In 1894, the company fell into receivership, a situation that existed until 1899. By this time, the CPR had expressed interest in purchasing the company, hoping to keep it out of the hands of the GTR. Operation of the line was assumed in November 1901 with a 999 year lease being entered into in 1912. Over time, the infrastructure of the company was upgraded and the road bed rebuilt. Eventually, though, the K&PR became just another spoke in the nation wide CPR transportation system.

Approximate Milage: 103 miles.

Current Status: Under the Canadian Pacific, the line became known as the Kingston Subdivision. The entire line has been abandoned in the following manner: Snow Road to Calabogie in January 1962, Tichborne to Sharbot Lake in February 1964, Sharbot Lake to Snow Road in September 1966, Calabogie to Renfrew Junction in February 1977, and from Kingston to Tichborne in 1986.

Principle Stations: Kingston, Sharbot Lake, Calabogie and Renfrew.

Remaining Stations: There are nine stations remaining from the Kingston & Pembroke Railway. They are as follows:
1. Barryvale: Moved to property on Highway 511 as a summer residence.
2. Calabogie: Moved to property on Highway 511 as an antique store, unconfirmed.
3. Clarendon Station: In situ within hamlet off Highway 509 as a private residence.
4. Clyde Forks: Moved to property nearby as a boat house, unconfirmed.
5. Kingston: In situ at 209 Ontario Street as Chamber of Commerce offices and tourist info centre.
6. Mississippi Station: Rebuilt into private residence (Trombley property).
7. Oso: Moved to nearby property as a private residence, unconfirmed.
8. Snow Road: Moved to property on in Miller Lake as a private residence.
9. Wilbur: Moved as a private residence (Richardson property), unconfirmed.

Last Updated: March 22, 1998

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