Building the QNS&L
https://www.nfb.ca/film/road_of_iron/
Interesting on a number of levels.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
And the cost, back then in 54, Canadian dollars or American, 200 plus million was not chump change.
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My moms brother, my uncle, was a helicopter pilot for the Iron Ore Company. He tragically died up there, along with several IOC officials, on one of the first jet Ranger type helicopters. The main bolt sheared on the rotor, never had a chance.
When I graduated from college, with my Mining Diploma, I took my first real job with the IOC at Schefferville. Man was it cold. $550 a month salary, I thought I was King Farouk. Got a hundred and one stories from those days. Guess I should write a book as they say.
40 mins. long - will have to watch over the weekend instead of lawn work . . .
Lengthy article in Trains from back then too:
"Tomorrow's railroad - Quebec North Shore & Labrador" - includes sidebar "Why a railroad?" by Greendwood, F. M., & Smith, E. N., from Trains, November 1960, pg. 34 &etc.
Similar article on Minnesota's Reserve Mining RR in the later 1960's, too.
Visting / riding it is on my 'bucket list'. I know 2 guys in this area who've done it !
- Paul North.
The other thing this film highlights - successful railroads don't get built for short term mineral haulage - QNSL has now been hauling iron ore for 60+ years and the world still needs steel.
Although it kinda fits the heading "but we knew that," it's interesting to see all that work going on without the benefit of many safety devices we take for granted today - hard hats, high visibility apparel, safety lines, even ROPS (roll over protection structure) on the heavy equipment.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
tree68 Although it kinda fits the heading "but we knew that," it's interesting to see all that work going on without the benefit of many safety devices we take for granted today - hard hats, high visibility apparel, safety lines, even ROPS (roll over protection structure) on the heavy equipment.
Watch some railroads 40's & 50's safety films - many of the 'safe' procedures those films push would get you fired on today's railroads.
Thank You.
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