Comments on: Another piece of history, gone. The Townline Spur, which dated back to the NS&T days of the early 1990′s. It went strong under the service’s of CN from 1959 until 1999, and Trillium from 1999 until 2007. In 2007, a bridge in the first mile of the line was burnt by arson and Trillium didn’t have the money to repair the bridge and left abandon for some years. Between 2010 and 2011, Trillium gave back the track ownership of miles 1.78 to mile 3 to CN. CN of course started ripping out the trackage, and just recently dug out this part of the spur. Underneath was a very old bridge that also got ripped up. This line was one of Niagara’s most famous lines, dubbed “The High Line” by some. It was the last line to feature road running in Niagara. Luckily, those tracks are still in place, and still owned by Trillium…maybe they have plans for them?

By: Paul Snyder

Paul Snyder — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 23:45:25 +0000

Same here. Between growing up watching these trains on this spur, Pine St, or in Thorold south before the bridge over the canal was dismantled, for someone who loved trains I sure never thought to bring a camera. Took that time for granted given the state of things locally where railroading is concerned.

Sure glad so many on this site have shared pictures from the past.

By: DoctaPinklaces

DoctaPinklaces — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 23:33:47 +0000

My pleasure. I spent much time as kid watching trains tackle the escarpment and roadrun up to the papermill. Of course, I never thought once to bring my camera.

By: Paul Snyder

Paul Snyder — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 22:46:03 +0000

Thank you for sharing DoctaP! Many good memories from the 80′s & 90″s on the townline spur. Like you, it’s sad to see it go.

By: DoctaPinklaces

DoctaPinklaces — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 18:29:42 +0000

Thanks Mr Mooney. I threw it up just incase somebody wanted to learn about the High Line, and just for us folks in Niagara. It’s sad to see it go.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 14:20:41 +0000

A 25 day run thru the American Mid-west will do that to ya, Snake. But now I have returned, with great memories and plans for the next trip. Oh, and in case you wonder, I went Solo.

By: snake

snake — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 14:01:59 +0000

Hey AWM…you’ve been awfully quiet on here lately…. : )

By: awmooney

awmooney — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:08:25 +0000

Not too much of an image for those with little knowledge of the area, Docta, but certainly a great history documentation on the old High Line. THAT was a famous landmark in my opinion.
Nice of you to bring it to our attention.

By: DoctaPinklaces

DoctaPinklaces — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 02:10:19 +0000

Correction…not 1990′s, 1900′s.