Gunflint and Lake Superior Railroad

The Gunflint and Lake Superior Railroad (G&LS) is a defunct Minnesota logging railroad that operated in the Thunder Bay District of northwestern Ontario and in Cook County of northeastern Minnesota.

Gunflint and Lake Superior Railroad
Overview
HeadquartersOfficially Duluth, Minnesota but operationally Port Arthur, Ontario
Reporting markG&LS
LocaleOntario Minnesota
Dates of operation1902–1909
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Length6 mi (10 km)
Former corduroy log trestle alongside Bridal Falls on Gunflint Lake, photographed in August, 1997.

The G&LS was built in 1902 by the Pigeon River Lumber Company to harvest primarily white pine and norway pine from the eastern side of Gunflint Lake. The logs were then transported to the company's sawmill in Port Arthur to be processed.

The line originated at the Canadian Northern Railway-Duluth Extension (PAD&W Railway) at Little Gunflint Lake, crossed the Canada–United States border, travelled along the east side of Gunflint Lake south to Crab Lake, and then east to Whisker Lake. This line was used until 1909 when it was abandoned and a forest fire destroyed a 1000-foot trestle on the PAD&W at North Lake and severed the line. The rails were removed circa 1915-1916.[1]

Locomotives

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NumberBuilderTypeDateWorks numberNotes
1Baldwin Locomotive Works4-4-0April 18733242Formerly Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway #28. Purchased by the G&LS in December 1903
2Lima Locomotive Works2-truck, 3-cylinder Class B ShayDecember 1901683Purchased from the Alexander-Edgar Lumber Company (Iron River, Wisconsin) in May 1905.

References

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