Greater Napanee publishes CN spur line history as trail debate continues

The Town of Greater Napanee published a timeline of the CN spur line on Jan. 15, 2026, tracing its origins to an 1881 railway and its municipal ownership since 2010. The corridor remains municipally owned north of Highway 401 and local debate continues over whether to pursue an off-road connection to the Cataraqui Trail or prioritize in-town routes.

The Town of Greater Napanee has posted a history of the Canadian National (CN) spur line on the municipality's website. The timeline notes the corridor's origins in 1881 with the Rathbun family's Bay of Quinte Railway and records municipal ownership from 2010 onward. The spur line crosses farmland on the town's east side and has been the subject of community debate about future uses. Some residents favor a recreational connection to the Cataraqui Trail while others point to incidents of vandalism, theft and people camping along the corridor. Key facts: - The town announced the full history was posted online on Jan. 15, 2026. - The corridor traces to 1881 and the Bay of Quinte Railway, later absorbed into Canadian National (CN). - The municipality began pursuing acquisition in 2010, approved a purchase of the municipal portion in 2011, and received title in 2012 under a gifting agreement with CN. - In May 2021 the council approved removal of rail iron from parts of the bed, and the town later received an unsolicited offer to purchase the north-of-Highway 401 segment in 2023. - An Ad Hoc Committee on Trails made recommendations in 2024 and 2025 focused on in-town routes; the draft 2026 budget includes funding for in-town trails and the north-of-401 segment remains under municipal ownership. Summary: The published timeline adds historical context to an ongoing local discussion about the former CN spur line. Council-approved work on in-town trails is advancing with draft 2026 budget items, while the question of extending a connection to the Cataraqui Trail remains under consideration. Further updates will be posted as additional reports are brought to Council.