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In the 19th century, railroad building was a labour intensive
undertaking. One crew had to survey the road. Another crew followed to clear the roadbed of bush and trees. Stone or
gravel was laid and graded. Then the rail line was put in. First wooden ties were laid two feet apart across the road.
Then steel rails were laid 4 feet 8 1/2 inches apart down the length of the road. The rails were fastened to the ties
by plates and spikes. The labourers who built the rail line were known as
"navvys".
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