Gananoque Junction is the name of the station located on CN's Kingston Subdivision north of the town of Gananoque. Beginning in 1871, the Thousand Islands Railway (TIR) served the town of Gananoque, running southward from the GTR/CN Montreal-Toronto mainline to the town on the St Lawrence River waterfront, over a 5 mile-long spur. Likely a Keith Hansen photo from an online auction site, CN 3708 approaches the station in October, 1986 (top photo). Keith also shared several photos for this post on CN's Gananoque Spur.
This news photo from the Queen's University Archives (V25.5-39-33) George Lilley Fonds, showed a wintry east-end view of the station on February 19, 1970 (below). In January of that year, CN sent a letter to the town Council sharing its intention to remove the agent position and leave only a caretaker position in place. Centralized Traffic Control was about to be installed. The station was initially leased by two 'Gan' businessmen who opened a restaurant in the station building.
Michael Shufelt kindly shared this photo taken of a westbound VIA train at Gananoque Junction in the 1980s:
I hadn't been to 'Gan Junction' for awhile until I made it there in September, 2024. It was a gloomy morning (above and below) and my impression of the station quickly turned gloomy. A model railway club had been using the building, and some of the layout has been removed. A scanner bleeped and squawked happily, audible through the closed operator's window. Here's where the spur to the town of Gananoque originated, behind the station enabling cross-platform connections from mainline GTR/CNR trains:
Some efforts had been made at modern signage and local tourist advertising. The east end of the station sagged and the roof shingles badly needed replacing. Unfortunately, the station does not present an informative window on visiting or investing in Gananoque. In fact, a few business cards for a local taxi service and a one-sheet map of the area, visible through a trackside window are all that guide arriving passengers to town.
You wouldn't find this in an airport...a schedule nine years out of date? Just visible to the right of the advertising poster, above.
This poster is now gone.
Some of the rails on the spot are positively antique!
Looking east back towards the station (above) and west (below):
I liked it so much that I visited Gan Junction again in March, 2025. A younger couple dropped off these two older folks who ended up waiting 90 minutes for their train to arrive - VIA No 53. The wind was cold and the train was late. They're from London and needed to connect with their train home at Toronto. They remarked on the lack of facilities here - no indoor seating, current schedule, phone access or basic safety information. Fortunately, they had access to VIA status updates and train location information on their cellphone. That allowed them to at least know their train was coming, albeit late. Twice, other passengers placed their suitcases too close to the track, and one VIA engine crew loudly indicated before departure that was not a good idea for the passengers' safety - CN No 305 was approaching on the south track!
The couple related the status of various VIA stations in Southwest Ontario to me - like Ingersoll and Woodstock - as well as the condition of some of the track VIA operates on. Fortunately, they got to travel in Business Class and would soon be ensconced and warming up!
Bonus image - screenshot from a YouTube video taken aboard VIA No 65 this month. The 'chapter' caption is for the entire chapter and did not change very often. Cornwall was miles ago!
I think I've enthusiastically and exhaustively (but not exhaustingly) explored the photographic possibilities at Gan Junction on these two visits.
Running extra...VIA Rail Canada edition
RDC fans, this Budd's for you. Lion Liu kindly shared these photos taken on July 22 of VIA No 300 taking VIA RDC-4 6251 to CAD Industries bracketed by VIA 6405 and 6401 - like Thomas the Tank Engine's day out - this is 6251's first venture outside of the MMC since November 15, 2017. If 6251 can be put back into Sudbury-White River service, two RDC-4/RDC-2 sets can be operated, allowing one to head to maintenance at Mansour (formerly DES) in Sudbury, and with the option of the RDC-1 or a second RDC-2 added if required. Update: Really a day out...back at MMC and coupled up to Glenfraser less than two days later!
Cue the VIARailfan rumours! Super Continental expert Elijah Warner Hall's video posted to social media includes ex-BCR Panorama car 1721 deadheading east on VIA No 2 on July 22. Many railfans are telling VIA to use 1721 as well as 1720 and 1722, the latter two at the MMC currently 'being worked on' on the Ocean to Halifax and there'a s a chance VIA is listening!
First past the post...
Lance Brown, railroadiana-dealer and reasonable-pricer extraordinaire, has a CP customer list from Smiths Falls on its way to me. I'm looking forward to finding the information for the ex-Kingston & Pembroke Kingston Subdivision. The year? 1978. It's great to have sellers intent on sharing their material, not over-pricing it!
At the Gan Jct stop, if the VIA train stops on the north track, assuming the correct door gets aligned with the crossing pad of the south track, how do they manage a situation with an approaching train on the south track to ensure safety of those (un)boarding? Passengers appear to have to climb down to or from what looks like near top-of-rail level with baggage, possibly assisting others. Then again in that Train 185 documentary they were doing just that, onto the other track, with canoes and cases of supplies for a whole expedition. At Kingston station the signs certainly say to not cross the tracks! Maybe it is known how much time till the train on the south track will come?
ReplyDeleteInteresting article, cheers!
Referring to your below reply: Thanks Eric, indeed, I see now in CROR:
Delete107. RESTRICTIONS AT PASSENGER TRAIN STOPS
Unless otherwise directed by special instructions, a movement must operate with extreme care
when passing along side a train carrying passengers that is discharging or receiving traffic.
It must not pass between such train and the station or platform, unless the movement is properly
protected.
Passengers shall be allowed to entrain and detrain only after positive protection has been provided
against movements approaching on any main track they must cross when moving between the
station and the train.
I will never forget my first impression of Gananoque, while riding my Via train either to or from Ottawa, where I was at Carleton U. at the time. I wondered to myself, "What kind of one-horse town is this?" I carried that initial impression of Gananoque with me for years until I took my family to the actual town to see a play at the Thousand Islands Playhouse. If the town is serious about tourism, and I know it is, you would think there would be serious efforts to create a better impression for people who might choose to visit this town by rail. Sadly, this depot's condition can't do anything to help the town.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike,
DeleteThe RTC will issue Rule 107 protection for the stop, ensuring that any approaching trains protect against the train stopped at the station and do not pass by on the other track. This is no longer possible at Napanee as the between-the-tracks pad has been removed. Watch for an upcoming post!
Thanks for your comment,
Eric
Hi Michael,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your assessment of Gan's tourist marketing by rail. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of locals using the stop, but out-of-towners really have to work at making a connection to the town. Even if the station is not in good shape, a lot can be done with signage. Especially since VIA has just a level crossing or sign at many of its lesser stops. The days of heating, lighting and staffing a substantial building are gone.
Thanks for your comment,
Eric