Weston Subdivision "The North Mountain Line" or "the Weston Line" 1914-1961

The Weston Subvision ran 14.5 miles west from Centreville, on the Cornwallis Valley Railway branch, to Weston. Trains originated in Kentville.

History

Started in 1910, the 14.5 mile Weston Subdivision was completed in 1914. It was officially known as the North Mountain Railway, but often called the North Mountain Line or the Weston Line. The roadbed was built by Kirk and Cooke, contractors while the stations were built by J.H. Hicks of Bridgetown. Intermittent freight service began in September 1914 with the first passenger train and full train service beginning on December 1, 1914 when the line was completed at a cost of $413,000.(2) It was often known collectively, with the Kingsport Subdivision, as the CVR (Cornwallis Valley Railway). The Weston line offered modest passenger service but hosted heavy freight volumes during the fall and winter apple season. However the decline of the Annapolis Valley's apple industry and the growth of highways caused a dramatic drop in traffic in the 1950s.

The Weston Line was unique in several ways. Instead of station agents, it employed a travelling agent who rode with each train, selling tickets and settling freight and express as he went. The station wickets were seldom used as most business was done aboard the train, although each station did provide a waiting room with a stove and built-in benches.(3)

Every North Mountain Line station, except Somerset, served as dwellings for the Section Foremen and their families.(1) These stations were all slightly modified versions of the standard CPR Station No. 4 Plan.(4) The Billtown Station, which still survives today, was a typical example. The only other surviving station is Somerset, which was moved to Berwick, heavily modified and converted to a private home.

On January 31, 1961 the entire Weston Subdivision was abandoned as the CVR was reduced to a spur from Kentville to Mill Village.

Trains

Train No. 21 Noon to Kentville

Train No. 22 Morning to Weston

Train No. 23 Evening to Kentville

Train No. 24 Afternoon to Weston

Gallery

• 

  "Atalanta" at Weston with driver Dan Deloughry.

• 

  The Billtown Station, used for storage in Lakeville, April 6, 2008.

• 

  "The Station Master", a groundhog in the Billtown Station, April 6, 2008.

• 

  Topographical map of Weston Subdivision

References and Footnotes

(1) Letter Alex Ferguson Inspection Engineer, Dept of Railways and Canals, Jan. 14, 1916, Library and Archives Canada RG43-A-1-12, Vol. 227, File 3125

(2) Mrs. John Horsnell, typescript history "North Mountain Line", Weston binder, Kings Historical Society, Kentville

(3) The Weston Branch and Margaretville in Nova Scotia by Elizabeth M. Clarke, page 13 and addendum insert

(4) Station No. 4: General Arrangement at Canadian Pacific Historical Association and Station No. 4: Cross Section & details at Canadian Pacific Historical Association

External Links

• Ivan Smith's History of the CVR at ROCA.
• Ivan Smith's History of Railway Companies in Nova Scotia
• 1949 Dominion Atlantic Railway Passenger train service schedule at Ivan's Smith's site
• Ivan Smith's North Valley Railway Overview.
• Mike's CVR Fruit Warehouses Photo Page and Slide Show
• Mike's CVR Fruit Warehouses Google Map]

Locations

Locations categorised under "W" are on the Centreville to Weston leg (west). <math>Insert formula here</math>