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Morrissey, Fernie & Michel Railway (MF&M)

The Morrissey, Fernie, & Michel Railway (MF&M) was constructed in 1897-1898 to transport coal from the Carbonado (Morrissey), Coal Creek and Michel mines to the main CPR line. CPR operated it until James Hill, with his expanding influence over the Crow's Nest Pass Coal Company, incorporated the MF&M as a subsidiary of the Coal Company in 1903. James Hill then used his influence in the Coal Company to increase coal exports to the USA over his new GNR branchline.

Coal Creek "station," FDHS (P25)

The MF&M’s task was to fill the coal trains with coal and transport them to the CPR and GNR mainlines where they would be shipped to customers in Canada and the USA. In addition, it transported miners between Fernie and Coal Creek, as well as other passengers and various goods along all its

Map of rail lines in Fernie

extensions. The MF&M operated a total of 24 miles of track: five miles at Morrissey and Carbonado, five miles from Fernie to Coal Creek, and four miles of yard track at Michel, along with several miles of yard track at both Fernie and Coal Creek. The MF&M employed about 50 to 60 men at its peak, making it an important employer for Fernie and an expensive operation for the Crow’s Nest Pass Coal Company. It continued operation until 1958 when the Coal Creek Mine was closed.

Railroads		Passengers & Freight