There were eighteen miles of timber trestles on these lines in Ontario. To date about one-half of this mileage has been disposed of.
The same policy in respect to timber trestles was followed on the Canadian Northern and Grand Trunk Pacific Railways in the West.
There are many large timber structures on the Grand Trunk Pacific between Winnipeg and Prince Rupert, and also on the Canadian Northern between Warden and Brazeau in Alberta. Again, on the line between Wayne and Calgary there are many comparatively small trestles but about one-third of them have been replaced. There are also quite a number of timber structures on the Canadian Northern between Edmonton and Vancouver, but most of them are small. All large openings are crossed by heavy steel bridges.
STATIONS AND OTHER BUILDINGS:—The only large stations that have been constructed are terminal buildings at Levis, Capreol, Hornepayne and Rainy River. Ordinary stations have been erected at intermediate points either to replace ones destroyed by fire, or under order of the Board of Railway Commissioners to meet the demands of increased traffic.
The roof of the train shed at St. John collapsed in 1919 as a result of age and corrosions, and was entirely removed, temporary wooden umbrella shelters over platforms being substituted. The station building itself has also suffered to some extent, apparently through the settlement of foundations. Plans have been prepared for a new station of different type, suitable to the peculiar topographical conditions, but as grade separation and the cutting down of grades are involved, an agreement with the City is necessary before any work can be undertaken.
Numerous enlargements of freight sheds and express buildings have also been made, to provide for growing traffic.
Owing to labor shortage, it was exceedingly difficult to maintain section forces, largely on account of lack of living accommodation at isolated points. It was found necessary to build section houses each year. This policy will necessarily have to be continued for several years before the lines are completely equipped.
On account of the newer main lines running through thinly populated territory, and the terminals being located where no previous settlement existed, it has been necessary to build cottages for our employes, notably, Napadogan, N.B., Parent, Que., Capreol, Hornepayne, and Atikokan, Ont., Kamloops and Boston Bar, B.C. No further large expenditures in this connection are anticipated, except at Edson, Alta., on account of the Canadian Northern and Grand Trunk Pacific consolidation.
On account of rapid development of lumbering and mining north and west of Sudbury, the lack of accommodation for unmarried employees at Capreol became acute. Adopting the practice of the Grand Trunk and Canadian Pacific Railway, a building was erected at that point and turned over to the Railway Y.M.C.A. to operate. This institution has been of great benefit to the employees, and has undoubtedly resulted in improved morale and better service. Several other points on the System greatly need some facility of this kind.
WATER SUPPLIES:—East of Winnipeg good water is so abundant that the only work required was to ensure the regular supply, or in a few instances, to provide new supplies to facilitate traffic movement, or to substitute gravity or hydraulic ram operation instead of pumping to reduce the cost. This applies also to western Alberta and all of British Columbia.