Niagara Falls and the Lost Railroad

In Niagara Falls, Ontario, there are traces of a lost railroad. Come along with me - let's explore it and learn about its history!
Map courtesy OpenStreetMap - openstreetmap....
00:00 Introduction
00:38 Whirlpool Rapids Bridge
01:33 Michigan Central Railway Bridge
02:36 Rosberg Family Park
03:16 Highway 420
03:43 Southern trail segment
04:12 Remaining rail line
#NiagaraFalls #History #MichiganCentral #Railroad

[@366Gli]

A map in the beginning of this video and perhaps intermittently throughout it would be useful.

[@ka1133]

You missed the whole section of the former train route that went right through the tourist section at Clifton Hill. That was one of the main reasons for the train being discontinued. The disruption in the area was incredible, and the city no longer would tolerate it. And just passed Clifton Hill is where all the new commercial buildings were built along that railway right away. And let’s not forget the old Victoria Station at the top of Clifton Hill. Remnants of the building are still there and have just been repurposed and renovated. It was at one time that Houdini Hall of Fame at the top of Clifton Hill at Victoria Avenue and it currently is another tourist attraction now with a multicolored painted building.

[@goodmaro]

I love the surprise pan starting at 1:30. That's great presentation.

[@Mike-hu3pp]

Your videos are amazing. Simple history, but the dedication and commitment to teach this valuable history has me focused on every second.

[@Edwards-Videos]

I remember seeing freight trains running along that line. I also remember when the walking trail was first installed that there were still railway signs at various points.
The story as to why the two bridges are still standing is that they were going to be used for trucks to cross the border at that location. I am not sure why the never occurred or if it was an idea that was never followed through on (if the plan ever really existed.)

[@corinnelaking569]

Interesting! We spent a weekend for our 20th anniversary in Niagara Falls this past summer (2023). We stayed at the Quality Suites right across Murray St. from the casino. I didn't realize that the pathway we used to walk to the Skylon Tower and Clifton Hill was a former rail line! Thanks for the video! I've only recently discovered your channel, but I'm enjoying it very much. 🙂

[@epacm50]

Thank you so much for the info. I was just around that neighborhood today. I thought CP owned both of those bridges. Someone else told me about the usage of the Whirlpool bridge (upper deck). CP would sometimes use those tracks for alternative freights and container runs. I am planning to visit there again next year and catch the Via Rail or Go Rail to Toronto from Niagara Falls.

[@jaygatz4335]

I have a keen interest in that former rail line. I have walked it many times and recall the tracks along Victoria Ave. that crossed Clifton Hill. It would have been interesting for you to show that part of the line. The Fallsview Hotel/Casino spelled the death knell for the line - another sad event in rail history. I have found historic videos on TH-cam showing train traffic over the bridge and along Victoria Ave.

[@hippynothipster]

I was just cruising around google maps wondering about these bridges a few weeks ago, thank you youtube algorithm for serving this up 🙏

[@robmausser]

I'd love to see Niagara Falls put a streetcar on that route, at least from Niagara Falls GO station to the Casino area, or continue along the road where the rail trail meets the casino. It would be a nice addition to the beatification of the area as well as offer a better solution for the crowds of people that get off the GO train for tourism. There is a bus, but its not great.

[@jaygatz4335]

Great idea. It's a very nice route along that line.

[@AndrewMott6]

The three families that own Niagara Falls would never approve of a LRT/street car. They make money off parking, that’s why the tracks were never put to use. What they don’t realize, if an electrified train were only 1 hour away from Toronto, they would probably make more money with the increased day trippers.

[@richardhorlings3774]

This was a branch of the Canada Southern Railway which ran from Detroit to Buffalo.

[@steeplecab]

The CASO was the key to the New York Central Railroad's fast route between Boston and New York, and Detroit.

[@rockerdave1984]

Very good video.
Thanks for this :-)

[@leep5113]

I remember those trains working through Niagara Falls

[@johnpatterson4272]

Well done notsmoothsteve. I remember the rail crossing at the top of Clifton Hill Street in NF from the 70s. It was a relative busy line of both freight and passenger trains back in the day. Not sure why such an integral link interfered with the business of casinos and worn-out tourist traps? Please provide more on-location shots of this rail corridor in the future.

[@user-dh5dr7xm3r]

Well done

[@edclinch5249]

I remember the railroad there as a kid. It was wild to me that they would have built tracks through the city like that. It didn't even register to me that, the last time I was in the Falls (pre-COVID) that the tracks were gone until after we left. I miss them because there were a lot of areas the we would park for free. Guess the Niagara Parks Commission caught on to that, too.

[@tramppaints]

we only had one overpass over the rail lines in niagara falls on. it was on portage rd. was made of wood about 100 years old, it caught on fire about 30 years ago and now we have no overpasses in town. when the 100 car plus trains roll through it's bad.

[@arrghhscott2785]

Great video! I would have liked a closer map showing the locations you were filming from and how they were in relation to each other. I found it hard to visualize. Is this the railway that used to be at the top of Clifton Hill?

[@notsmoothsteve]

Thanks! Yes, this is the line that used to run through the Clifton Hill area.

[@AChapstickOrange]

Steve, I love what you do, but... could I buy you a _second_ song...?

[@intercityrailpal]

Was this MC bridge used by C&O or Wabash too?

[@epacm50]

Just imagine if CN has a monopoly in this area. You only have one bridge in existence. Don't be surprised if CN merges with CSX within the next several years.

[@TheGreatLaker]

I hope you didn't catch any ticks up on that bridge 😅

[@notsmoothsteve]

Yeah, it's a bit overgrown, isn't it? There was someone living in a tent on the bridge but I made sure they and their home weren't in the shot.

[@jamesgee3052]

Hey Steve thanks for video. I’m new to your channel. I like your informative videos. I lived in Toronto decades ago.

[@John.Mann.1941]

Interesting video, but I almost stopped it early because of the annoying chiming sounds between scenes