1929
On February 10, 1929, the NS government announced plans to build a 67-mile branch line from Sunnybrae to Guysborough town, to be completed within three years. Engineering parties arrived in Pictou County in June, and the Dominion Construction Company, under the direction of Henry Falconer “Harry” McLean, was awarded the contract on October 18, 1929.
1930
The Company wasted no time, moving equipment and crews to Sunnybrae before year’s end and immediately commencing work. McLean’s men toiled throughout the winter of 1929-30. By late summer 1930, the entire rail bed, most concrete abutments and wooden trestles were in place. In addition, 22 miles of track was installed from Sunnybrae to the Willowdale area. All that remained was completing several bridges and laying the remaining rails. On July 23, 1930, the Liberal government was defeated in a federal election.
1931
The Conservative government of R. B. Bennett, facing a major economic depression, immediately stopped work on the line. The rails in place were removed and the project abandoned.
Over the subsequent decades, the rail bed disappeared beneath a covering of brush.
NOW
In recent years, local recreational groups cleared the line and erected bridges in several locations. The result is a hiking and all-terrain vehicle trail running from the outskirts of Guysborough town to Aspen.
