Orangedale

Orangedale is a rural community in Nova Scotia steeped in history. Founded by Orangemen in the Denys Basin of Cape Breton Island’s Bras d’Or Lake, the community was originally a collection of small farming and fishing operations. In 1886, the construction of the Intercolonial Railway of Canada mainline from Sydney to Point Tupper changed the community forever. The railway line brought a new era of economic growth and development, and Orangedale was transformed into a Victorian-period two-storey railway station. The station and its surrounding grounds included a post office, a telegraph office, an express office, and a store. The station also included a freight shed and a large yard complete with a turntable and a roundhouse. With the railway line, Orangedale became a hub for transportation, communication, and commerce.

For decades, the Intercolonial Railway (ICR) connected the town to the rest of mainland Canada. In 1918, the ICR became part of the Canadian National Railways, and in 1993, CN sold the line to the Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway.

Unfortunately, passenger rail service ceased in the area the 1990 by Via Rail Canada. Despite this, the community of Sydney still maintains a strong connection to the railway industry, and its history has been preserved throughout the years.