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Gallery - Great Gorge Route

The electric operation known as the Great Gorge Route was actually started in 1891 as the Niagara Falls Park & River Railway, running from Suspension Bridge to Table Rock. In later years, after the American operation, known as the Great Gorge Route started, the name was changed to the Niagara Belt Line, as well as the International Railway Company. The Canadian operation ran along the top of the gorge from Falls View to Queenston, and the new Queenston-Lewiston Suspension Bridge. On the American side, the route ran through the gorge at river level, under the GTR & MCRR bridges, and then began to gradually rise up the gorge wall to Niagara Falls, New York. It followed the top of the gorge to the Falls View Bridge (Honeymoon Bridge) and then crossed back to the Canadian Side. The gorge route was very difficult to construct, and to maintain, with rock falls and accidents. On September 11th 1932, the Canadian operations ceased, and, after a tremendous rock fall at the Whirlpool rapids, the American operation was suspended in 1935.

The NFRM has in it's collection a large number of Great Gorge Route items, among these brochures and postcards. Below is a number of links to pages (currently there is only one) that will showcase some of these items.

Brochures:
Niagara Gorge Belt Line Brochure

Tickets and Tokens from the Great Gorge Route



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Great Gorge Route car 6 is upbound passing Giant Rock.

C-1908 - Niagara Railway Museum Inc. Collection

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One of the most scenic and recognizable locations on the entire line was Giant Rock, just downriver from the Whirlpool.

C-1909 - Niagara Railway Museum Inc. Collection

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Different scenes along the route on both sides of the river.

C-1900's - Niagara Railway Museum Inc. Collection

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Great Gorge Route car and trailer heading down river towards Lewiston near the Whirlpool.

c-1910 - Niagara Railway Museum Inc. Collection


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