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TheParry Sound Colonization Railway Company (PSCR) was a Canadian railway that operated inOntario. It originally intended to connect the town ofParry Sound to theNorthern and Pacific Junction Railway but ran out of funds shortly after starting construction. The line was purchased byJohn Rudolphus Booth in 1892 to form the western end of hisOttawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway. Failing to come to an agreement on the location of an associated port, the line ultimately bypassed the town completely, running toDepot Harbour, acompany town.
The PSCR was formed in 1884 by the citizens ofParry Sound with the intention of encouraging a railway line to be built to the community.
On January 16, 1886, a public meeting was called in Parry Sound regarding a proposed railway line.
On February 5, 1886, a deputation waited upon theOntario Government to ask for a subsidy to aid in construction of a line to Parry Sound. The Parry Sound line was described as being an important feeder for theNorthern and Pacific Junction Railway (N&PJR), which was under construction at that time fromGravenhurst toCallander. The PSCR was to be built from Parry Sound in an easterly direction to connect with the N&PJR nearBurks Falls. Beginning atScotia Junction some work was done as far asBear Lake before construction was halted due to lack of funds.[1]
In 1892 the PSCR was acquired byOttawa lumbermanJ.R. Booth and merged with hisOttawa, Arnprior & Parry Sound Railway which was being built from Ottawa toGeorgian Bay. When Booth selectedDepot Harbour as the western terminus of his railway, the citizens of Parry Sound felt betrayed.
Following acquisition of the PSCR by Booth, the locomotive from hisNosbonsing & Nipissing Railway was used for construction of this line, west of Bear Lake, during the winter months when that line was shut down for the season.
