Hamilton and NorthWestern Railway Letterbox Cache
This Letterbox Cache, is at the Posted Coordinates.
As a Letterbox Cache, it holds a stamp, that is not a trade item. If you would like to use the stamp, please bring your own ink pad
This cache is placed along what is now known as the Waterfront Trail, through Burlington. Prior to this, this trail was owned by the Hamilton and NorthWestern Rail Road (HNWRR). Railway tracks were laid across Burlington Beach in 1875 and this shuttle service greatly improved industrial transportation at the head of the lake. In June 1879, the Hamilton and North Western merged with its competitor to become the Northern and Northwestern Railway. The Grand Trunk Railway gained control in 1887, and was later absorbed by Canadian National in 1923. Service continued along this rail line, through Burlington until the early 1980s, when the line was no longer needed. In time, the rails and ties were removed, and the line through Burlington was converted to a Multi-Use Waterfront Trail.
A Little Bit More:
The Hamilton and Northwestern railway was a standard gauge railway in southern Ontario. Based in Hamilton, it’s creation was meant to help Hamilton compete with Toronto. This branch of the rail line, the one that once ran past this cache location, went northwards towards Barrie, with a sub-branch splitting and proceeding to Collingwood. Towns serviced include Brampton, Beeton, Tottenham, Alliston, Lisle, Creemore, Glen Huron.
The Additional Reference Point:
This spot takes you to one of only 4 remaining Hamilton and NorthWestern Rail Road (HNWRR), Train Stations, built in 1875-1877. I have lived in Burlington, all my life and was in this building as a child. I sensed there was more to this unique Building then I was aware of, and with a bit of research, this mystery was solved.
Just a short Distance from Dex4’s geocache placement, “W”, (GCX3NB), is a Hamilton and NorthWestern Rail Road Station, located at 431-443 Brock Avenue. One half of this building was the rail station, and the other was home of the StationMaster. I found it interesting to learn, that this station is where visitors to the nearby “Brant Inn” would arrive. Their luggage was transferred to the Inn, from the train station, on a smaller railcars, and would be waiting in their rooms when they checked in. Another interesting piece of Burlington’s History, right in our own back yards.
Good Luck and Happy Letterboxing!