Cobourg Car Works

Supplying almost all of the major Canadian railways, as well as many local regional lines, the Crossen works became the largest car company in Canada.

The move to all-steel constructed and CPR's decision to open their own works led to a rapid downturn in business, and the company closed in 1913.

The Ontario Foundry was approached by the Cobourg, Peterborough & Marmora Railway and Mining Company to build twelve wooden railway dump cars for the transportation of ore. Crossen, realizing the capabilities of his foundry to manufacture the metal wheels and under carriage components of the cars, and knowing of a nearby supply of timber, agreed to fill the order.

This tariff allowed the Cobourg Car Works to flourish, as they could provide an equivalent product at a cheaper cost to railway companies.

His son-in-law, William Renwick Riddell, a prominent Cobourg lawyer, husband of Anna Crossen was elected as the Company President.

The Gallery referenced, their source of information and materials, as obtained from a great grand daughter of James Crossen, company records and a scrapbook in her possession.

The site (northwest of University Avenue West and Division Street) still remains vacant and all buildings relating to Crossen demolished.

James Crossen Jr. President of Cobourg Car Works circa 1888
By 1948 all that remained operational was the foundry, seen in the upper left. The tracks of the Cobourg and Peterborough Railway run through the image.