09-08-2009, 08:19 AM
That's cool to see the juxtaposition of two once "state-of-the-art" transportation systems. Similar situation can be seen all along the Rideau Canal in Eastern Ontario. The canal was built in the early 1800s (finished in 1832?) to connect Lake Ontario with the Ottawa River, allowing a route from Toronto to Montreal out of range of US guns following the War of 1812.
However, it was only about 25 - 30 years before the first railroad (Bytown and Prescott) connected the St Lawrence River town of Prescott (within range of the now fortunately friendly US guns) and Ottawa (formerly Bytown). Today, various railroads pass over the canal several times - most picturesque are the double track bridge at Merrickville (CP) and the Scherzer rolling lift bridge (formerly CNor, now abandoned) in Smiths Falls.
Andrew
However, it was only about 25 - 30 years before the first railroad (Bytown and Prescott) connected the St Lawrence River town of Prescott (within range of the now fortunately friendly US guns) and Ottawa (formerly Bytown). Today, various railroads pass over the canal several times - most picturesque are the double track bridge at Merrickville (CP) and the Scherzer rolling lift bridge (formerly CNor, now abandoned) in Smiths Falls.
Andrew