Portage Flyer timetable
This 9×17-inch document shows the 1942 summer schedule for the Huntsville & Lake of Bays Transportation Co. steamboat services east from Huntsville, Ont. Note that, although connections with Canadian National mainline trains at Huntsville are shown, there’s no mention of the “Portage Flyer” railway — just arrival and departure times for the boats at North Portage and South Portage. Classic Trains collection
This 9×17-inch document shows the 1942 summer schedule for the Huntsville & Lake of Bays Transportation Co. steamboat services east from Huntsville, Ont. Note that, although connections with Canadian National mainline trains at Huntsville are shown, there’s no mention of the “Portage Flyer” railway — just arrival and departure times for the boats at North Portage and South Portage. Classic Trains collection
Portage Flyer engines 1 and 2
0-4-0T’s Nos. 1 and 2, built in by H. K. Porter in 1888 to a gauge of 3 feet 8.5 inches, simmer at the South Portage dock on July 12, 1944. Robert S. Brown photo
0-4-0T’s Nos. 1 and 2, built in by H. K. Porter in 1888 to a gauge of 3 feet 8.5 inches, simmer at the South Portage dock on July 12, 1944. Robert S. Brown photo
Huntsville & Lake of Bays ‘Algonquin’
The S.S. Algonquin, which plied Fairy Lake and Peninsula Lake on the run to North Portage, stands at the Huntsville dock in July 1942. L. C. Riley photo
The S.S. Algonquin, which plied Fairy Lake and Peninsula Lake on the run to North Portage, stands at the Huntsville dock in July 1942. L. C. Riley photo
Portage Flyer’s homespun rolling stock
A close up shows the rough-hewn nature of the Portage Flyer’s rolling stock; the couplers were primitive versions of the link-and-pin type, and there were no air brakes. L. C. Riley photo
A close up shows the rough-hewn nature of the Portage Flyer’s rolling stock; the couplers were primitive versions of the link-and-pin type, and there were no air brakes. L. C. Riley photo
Rerailing the Portage Flyer’s engine
Men ponder the plight of Huntsville & Lake of Bays Transportation Co. saddletanker No. 5, which has derailed its four wheels at South Portage in July 1949. Wood blocking and jacks — plus sweat and muscle — will have her back on the rails. R. E. Tobey photo
Men ponder the plight of Huntsville & Lake of Bays Transportation Co. saddletanker No. 5, which has derailed its four wheels at South Portage in July 1949. Wood blocking and jacks — plus sweat and muscle — will have her back on the rails. R. E. Tobey photo
Portage Flyer power
A crewman looks out of the generous cab of tiny 0-4-0T No. 2 in the early 1940s. H&LB locomotives had whistles and bells — but no headlights. Robert Holden photo
A crewman looks out of the generous cab of tiny 0-4-0T No. 2 in the early 1940s. H&LB locomotives had whistles and bells — but no headlights. Robert Holden photo
South Portage ‘terminal’
In a scene from after the 1948 arrival of 0-4-0T No. 5 (which occasioned the regauging of the portage railway to 3 feet 6 inches) the new engine rests at South Portage. The railway’s switches — all six of them — were of the ancient stub type. Carl T. Grimm photo
In a scene from after the 1948 arrival of 0-4-0T No. 5 (which occasioned the regauging of the portage railway to 3 feet 6 inches) the new engine rests at South Portage. The railway’s switches — all six of them — were of the ancient stub type. Carl T. Grimm photo
