The North Door

Last week, I went looking again for the east entrance to the Merritton Tunnel (aka the Grand Trunk Railway Tunnel, aka the Blue Ghost Tunnel) under the Third Welland Canal. I failed to find it last year and got lost in the bush south of Black Bridge (the CNR steam-powered swing bridge.)See photo 1.


After studying the 1921 Digital Air Photos at Brock University map library website, I could clearly see the east and west entrances to the Merritton Railway Tunnel. The east entrance is at the south end of Lock 18. Click on dot #91
www.brocku.ca/maplibrary/airphoto/1921/NE%20Section.htm
At the top middle of the photo is Lock 16, then the CNR line, then Locks 17 & 18 south of that, then Locks 19 to 21.
Zoom in on Lock 18. You'll see the tunnel entrances.

Also at the top of the photo is another tunnel going under the canal. This is St. Davids Road, going from the town of Thorold to the village of St. Davids. The east side of that tunnel is block up and is now part of the Royal Niagara Golf course. See photos 2 & 3.


At Lock 18 I rediscovered the east end of the old Merritton Tunnel. I visited it years ago. Last year I looked for it again, but could not locate it. The entrance to the railway tunnel on the west side of the canal is difficult to find, but the east side entrance is very well hidden. You'll find it just below the south end of Lock 18--if you can get to Lock 18 through all the trees and brush.



other links:
www.welland.library.on.ca/digital/clipping/source/third/4006.jpg
www3.sympatico.ca/oldwellandcanals/website.htm
www.drgordsworld.com/WellandCanalsThirdintro.html