“I hear the train acomin’ it’s rollin” round the bend”-Johnny Cash I never expected to see a train coming around the bend. OnJuly29 a group of 25(13ATV’s)traveled from Waterville to Limestone Siding and unloaded at Grace and Anthony’s who would be our guide tothe Salmon River Train Trestle. Leaving their place we bumbled the managed trail along the West River Road passing the Grand Falls Generating station, Beton, Armour transportation System and many other businesses. This trail takes us to Main Street, Grand Falls where we continue along with the vehicle traffic passing by the Grand Falls Gorge-very little water coming through the dam and over the rocks. We bumble along Evangeline Street which will connect us with the managed trail again. It is a beautiful day-abit overcast and 22 degrees – When we stop for a rest to stretch our legs we can see the train trestle way off in the distance. Now I am getting excited to see it up closer. Break over and time to bumble on. A little further and here we are. Looking down the track it looks like it will never end. Most of the crew walked along the tracks while Brian and I decided to explore abit which took us to the bottom of the trestle looking up. I am taking a picture at the same time trying to figure out what the bright light is I am seeing through the lens. IT IS A TRAIN coming around the bend. What are the chances? I am still in awe at how we managed to be there at the right time.There were 207 containers and three engines. Some containers were Armour, Canadian Tire and even one from China.The trestle was completed in 1911 at a cost of $815,070.87. It is 4000 feet (1.22KM) long and 200 feet high. During the wars it was heavily guarded as it is the main freightline between Halifax and Montreal. The trestle was built as a part of a $15 million National Trans Canada Railway Agreement between the federal government and the Grand Pacific Railway Company. This has got to be one of my best bumbles. Now on to lunch. We pull off to the side of the trail and enjoy a relaxing lunch. We then pack up and bumble back to Evangeline Street but before leaving Grand Falls we stop at Dave’s Market for a treat of icecream. Thank you Grace and Anthony for a wonderful day. HappyTrails.
Salmon River Train Trestle by Linda McHatten
