Caption:

Built 1913 by the CNoR, and in 1928 CNR added an east end extension, the station handled the usual freight and passengers as well as customs and immigration functions.

Acquiring Heritage Building status circa 1984, the building serves as a family social services centre.

Street side east view, at the former CNoR / CN Fort Francis depot, mile 88.9 Fort Francis Subdivision, June 20, 2025 digital by S.Danko

Unfortunately the rail side view is restricted by a sturdy high fence account the busy rail yard.

Noteworthy:

East of the station, Duluth Junction (mile 88.1) is the connection to the rail bridge (Pithers Point built 1908) to Rainier Minn. (east of International Falls, Minn.) and appears to be busy with UP (run through?, witnessed a UP powered unit train westbound approaching Duluth Jct. - no pix!) and CN traffic on the former Wisconsin Central / DW&P (merged into WC 2011 (original 1901 Duluth, Virginia and Rainy River Railway)).

The former CNoR Winnipeg main line consisting of the Sprague (Symington to Rainy River, including 43.4 miles through Minnesota); Fort Francis; Kashabowie Subdivisions is fully CTC and is CN's only remaining connection to Thunder Bay.

Just east of the connecting wye (Duluth Jct) to Rainier Minn., the CNoR built lift bridge (aka Five Mile Bridge / Rainy River Lift Bridge built circa 1909) over the Rainy River, collapsed August 14, 2024 while the lift portion was being raised. The collapse severed CN access to Thunder Bay until mid September 2024 when temporary repairs were completed. A new bridge is planned and awaiting Transport Canada approval.

At bottom left note the shadow of a telegraph / hydro pole.

sdfourty