Not many people are familiar with the history of Canadian narrow gauge lines of the 19th century. My self-published book, “Narrow Gauge Through the Bush” (ISBN 978-0-9784406-0-2) relates the history of the narrow gauge Toronto Grey and Bruce and Toronto and Nipissing Railways in the period 1865-1883. It has taken me 20 years of research and 9 years of writing. I am fascinated by Ontario pioneer history and want others to share it. The book contains the story of the promotion, building, and operation of the first public passenger carrying lines in North America, the Toronto Grey and Bruce to Owen Sound and Teeswater, and Toronto to Coboconk; and includes much detail about the campaigns in villages and townships to raise tax bonuses to get the railway built.
Since the book is fully researched and documented, and mentions many Canadian, British, Australian, and American personalities and companies involved in the political, promotion, engineering and construction campaigns it will be of interest to people researching local and family Ontario history, as well as railfans.
Many new photographs, and drawings never before published, with a colour section showing how the railways might have appeared in those far off days. A large format book, nearly 400 pages long, beautifully hard bound so that it will become a historical reference.
Available at Credit Valley Railway Company:
http://www.cvrco.com/whatscoming-ex.htm
for $65 + GST +Shipping and handling
Rod Clarke
Whitby, Ontario
[email protected]
“This is a stunning achievement for anyone interested in the history of railways. It’s an absolutely delightful book that includes much original colour artwork…The research and the documentation are impressive”. Derek Boles, Toronto Railway Heritage Group Historian
