Railroad: St. Clair Tunnel Company

This company was organized to build a single track tunnel from Sarnia, Ontario to Port Huron, Michigan. It was opened in October 24, 1891 for freight and December 7, 1891 for passenger trains. The line was 2.25 miles long, half in the U.S. and half in Canada. The road operated two stations, had six trains crews, 4 locomotives and nine conductors' way cars. The company had its own train dispatchers (3).

Built (tunnel) → St. Clair Tunnel Co. → Canadian National railroad

Built: 1891 - tunnel from Port Huron to Sarnia, Ontario. Control at incorporation by Grand Trunk Railway of Canada.

Merged: 1958 - into Canadian National railroad.

Reference: [MRRC] 

Notes

This was an electric line in the tunnel and for a section on each side of the portal. Trains going through the tunnel disconnected their steam locomotives and an electric motor was attached and pulled trains through the tunnel. Once diesel locomotives came into operation and ventilation was improved, the electric tunnel motors were no longer needed and discontinued.

Time Line

1903. This company derives all its revenue from tolls levied upon rolling stock passing through the tunnel. The company hauls trains through the tunnel with their own locomotives and traincrews, and to that extent only perform the functions of a railway company.