| This massive project was designed by
railway engineer Henry Ketchum as a short and safe route between
Chignecto Bay and the Northumberland Strait. The 500 mile
journey around Nova Scotia from New England to the St. Lawrence
would have been shortened to just 17 miles.
Two locomotives running side by side on
parallel tracks would pull a 200 wheel railcar which carried the
ship. The project was nearly complete in 1891 when financing
collapsed.
Tidnish Bridge Visitor Centre
Visitors can see artifacts and photographs
of the project and learn more about the engineering problems
presented by crossing the marshes of the Isthmus of Chignecto. [map]
Tidnish Dock Provincial Park
This is the northern terminus of the
railway. Here the rail bed slopes down the into the waters of
the Northumberland Strait. Visitors will find interpretive
panels here, as well as picnic benches and a beach. [map]
Henry Ketchum Hiking Trail
This trail runs for 4km between Tidnish
Bridge Visitor Centre and Tidnish Dock Provincial Park, and
follows the route of the Chignecto Ship Railway. It crosses an
historic bridge and a modern suspension bridge which crosses the
Tidnish River and offers great views. [map]
Links
Chignecto Ship Railway, a virtual exhibit from UNB
History of the Chignecto Ship Railway
The docks at Fort Lawrence
Chignecto Marine Transport Railway fonds Archival collection
of Cumberland County Museum and Archives
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