Fernie & Elk Valley Culture Guide Issue 2 Fall 2016 | Page 4

Railways and
the Morrissey Tunnel
The Canadian Pacific Railway arrived in the valley in 1898 with The Great
Northern Railway following shortly after in 1904. The local Morrissey, Fernie,
and Michel Railway brought coal to the main lines and goods to the remote
communities of Morrissey, Coal Creek and Corbin. The G.N.R. lines followed
much of what is now Hwy #3, passing through the iconic Morrissey Tunnel, while
the C.P.R lines remain in use today as a freight route.  

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