About SideTracked Caches
This cache belongs to the SideTracked series. It's a distraction for the weary traveller, but anyone else can go and find it too. More Information can be found on the SideTracked Series website at www.sidetrackedseries.info https://www.sidetrackedseries.info
About the Railway and Holyrood Station
The development of the railway in the 1880’s had a tremendous impact on the socioeconomic conditions of Holyrood. The railway suddenly made St. John’s and Carbonear an hour away by a comfortable coach. Port aux Basques became less than 2 days away and Boston could be reached overland (except for Gulf Crossing) in less than a week. Coincident with the railway was the development of telegraph communications, and changes in mail delivery. In addition to the men who became employed directly with the railway, telegraph and posts, a service industry was created to accommodate the people travelling. Holyrood’s beautiful scenery provided the backdrop for a tourist industry. Suddenly, workers in St. John’s could take holidays and picnics alongside their favorite rivers and fishing holes in little more than an hour from home. Small hotels and boarding houses developed all over the community. This tourist industry flourished in Holyrood until the 1960’s when the availability of motor cars and the construction of the Trans Canada Highway across the island opened up new opportunities to the traveling public.
The station itself has been renovated and repurposed, and is currently operated as a diner. Visitors will discover photos of past railway operations including a dining car menu and relics from the old rails.
Now the cache! It's placed 200 or so meters from the actual station. This is due to proximity issues with another cache. Should be a quick park and grab! And hey, the diner is worth the visit for the photos (and the fish & chips!)