Nostalgia & History > Former Railcar Ferry In Chicago

Here’s a link to the former CN railcar ferry that now serves as the club house for the Columbia Yacht Club on the Chicago lakefront.

http://www.columbiayachtclub.com/
http://members.shaw.ca/colinluv/

This was the “Abegweit” (pronounced like: Abby-gwait) In service from 1947 to 1982 shuttling passenger trains and freight cars across the 9 mile Northumberland Strait between Cape Tormentine, New Brunswick and Borden, Prince Edward Island. A new Abegweit entered service in 1982 and continued to carry railcars until 1989 when the railway was abandoned on Prince Edward Island. Nearly 350 km of the former railway lines are now a hiking trail.

http://www.gov.pe.ca/visitorsguide/index.php3?number=1016641&lang=E

In 1997 a 9 mile bridge completely replaced the ferry service.

http://www.confederationbridge.com/

I was able to tour this fine ship when in Chicago about 10 years ago...the yacht club members on board at the time were very friendly and gracious, and showed me around the lower decks, wheelhouse and bridge, and engine room. They've done a great job of preserving and restoring this ship. Worth a visit if you're in Chicago...on the lakeshore near Navy Pier.