We invite you to send your questions and comments:
Please email us at:
editor@canadianrailwayobservations.com

 


COVER PHOTO

Walter Pfefferle caught one of the newest GE's roaming through Beachville Ontario as CN 3063 was the leader on CN 394. We see it passing through the quarries on its way eastbound. April 16 2016


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Although parts of the QNS&L are very scenic, and only accessible by rail, Mai QC is not noted for its scenic beauty.  Note the ex-CP boarding car on the welded rail train, and a rare National Steel Car caboose built new for the QNS&L in the 1950's. 

The QNS&L is controlled from Sept-Iles, QC.  Since we were there in 1992, the CTC has been removed from Ross Bay Junction to Schefferville, and the former QNS&L north of Ross Bay Junction (Emeril) is now TshieutinRail.

 Cheers,

 Phil Mason, Ontario

 


Some brilliant O Gauge modeling of LS&I and GTW locomotives! This is the gorgeous work of Tom Cox of Red Pine, an amazing modeler who can capture the prototype with incredible detail and accuracy.  

This certainly makes me consider switching from HO, to O scale! (WB)

 CRO.


Island Corridor Foundation 

The Island Corridor Foundation is very pleased with the strong support for rail on Vancouver Island expressed by local government at the annual convention of the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities held April 8th and 9th at Nanaimo. A motion calling on the federal government to release the committed $7.5 million in federal infrastructure funds was overwhelmingly endorsed. The $20.9 million track infrastructure upgrade from Victoria to Courtenay is awaiting the final sign-off from Infrastructure Canada. 

The ICF Directors have met with AVICC executive in the past and will continue to meet with them to build their relationship and work on common issues. "The ICF and AVICC has always had a very positive relationship and we value their input", said co-chair Dr. Judith Sayers.

The Independent Not-for- Profit Corporation has also established a 'Local Government Liaison Committee' whereby members of councils and electoral area directors and the ICF can exchange information. 

The committee stems from changes to legislation/court proceedings that have compromised the report back at the local government level, impacting clear and transparent communication i.e. elected officials are perceived to be in conflict when ICF or matters relating to the Corridor are addressed at their respective Council tables. In recent months, ICF Board Members have excused themselves from ICF presentations, stating a conflict and left the room. 

"The ICF Board is and remains committed to working in partnership with stakeholders to meet the increasing interest in the ICF operations. With 11 First Nations, five regional districts and 14 municipalities and many community groups there are obviously varying regional and local concerns," stated Sayers. 

About the Island Corridor Foundation

The Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) is a self-funded, non-profit organization established specifically to preserve the 319 kilometre rail/trail corridor between Victoria and Courtenay, Duncan to Lake Cowichan and Parksville to Port Alberni. The corridor includes both rail and trail initiatives. Formed in 2003, the ICF is a registered charity, run by a Board of 12 Directors, representing 11 First Nations, five Regional Districts and two Directors-at-Large comprised of stakeholder communities along the Corridor.

Jenn Houtby-Ferguson   Victoria, BC


 

FROM THE EDITOR

 The "NEW" CRO: 

 By now you will have by no noticed the changes implemented this month courtesy of our CRO Webmaster and my colleague Walter Pfefferle.  The Shortlines are now in alphabetical order as is the Museum Section in order to help you better find you favourite railways.  As well, Walter has added "Quick Links" on several pages  allowing the reader to skip over sections at the touch of a button. 

 Again the month, we welcome our new contributors on board, and we thank everyone for their CRO support.  Some of you still have advertising banners in CRO to renew as well as obtaining your new passwords for 2016.  Please make sure to contact me with any questions you may have by email.
 


A great little video of restored CN MLW-built  S-7 8223 switcher with both riding on board, and trackside views. On August 1st, 2015, the Cooperstown and Charlotte Railroad held their annual railfan day in Milford, NY. The video compilation from the day has footage from the ground, in the cab and even on a operating Jordan spreader. The Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad also have an MLW built S-4, formerly CN 8181, and have restored it into a Delaware and Hudson black and yellow scheme and numbered 3051.  

I thought this was a brilliant Video. I just wish we had a CN switcher in this paint scheme at the CRHA Exporail museum in Montreal!  They always to repaint their CN donated locomotive in the 1950's CNR green and yellow  scheme.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjzujaXIEP0

Here is an interesting Tourist Train operation in France, Originally built to transport materials and personnel at the Artouste Dam from from 1924 to 1932, the train was converted for tourism in 1932. It now enables tourists to experience the stunning landscapes of high Ossau Valley, Quebec its lore and wildlife including friendly hedgehogs!  In 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE2bUuNcgLI


Again this month, we welcome our new contributors on board, and we thank everyone for their CRO support.

Some of you may have advertising banners in CRO to renew as well as obtaining your new passwords for 2016.  Please make sure to contact me with any questions you may have by email:


Thank You to all our Contributors-

Aaron C. Schlegel,  AMT,  Andy Cassidy,  Andy Perrin,  Avrom Shtern (AMT News),  Bem Lomon,  Bernard Babin,  Bill Edgar,  Bob Heathorn,  Bob Krone,  Brian Peters (CRO),  Bruce Chapman,  Buddy Burton,  Cal Murray,  Carl Luther,  Chris Gertz,  Chris McMahon,  Christopher Bodkin,  CN,  Cor van Steenis,  Craig Walker,  Dan Braun,  Daniel Dell'Unto,  Darren Doss,  Dave Schauer,  Dave Setting,  Davey Robinson,  David W. Brandenburg,  Denis,  Dennis Weber,  Derek "Buffie" Brown,  Don McQueen (Froth),  Earl Minnis,  Earl Roberts (Branchline),  et Antonio,  et tous mes contacts a CP,  Francois Gagne-Audet,  Geoff Elliott,  Giulio,  GO,  Guillaume-Raymond Lavasseur,  Guy-Pascal Arcouette,  Ian Campbell,  James,  James Gardner,  James Hoffman (ONR),  James Lalande,  Jason Noe (Railpace),  Jason Tarasenko (J&L),  Jean-Francois Turcotte (CRO - AMT Editor),  Jeremy Davy (WCRA),  Jim McPherson Bruce Mercer,  Jody Moore (Green Locomotive News),  Joe Ferguson,  John,  John Eull,  John Jeffrey (CRO GO Editor). Francois Jolin,  Jordan Hood,  John Read (CRO),  J P Cadieux,  Justin Spencer,  Ken Jones,  Ken Reiss,  Kenneth Borg,  Kevin Argue. Eric Aucoin,  Kevin Dunk,  Kim Kafura,  Marc,  Mark and David Zulkoskey,  Mark Forseille,  Martin Baumann,  Martin Mirabel,  Martin Simane. Paul Smith (CP),  Matt Landry,  Metrolinx,  Michael Berry (CRO),  Michel Kleist,  Michel Daoust,  Mike,  Mike and Mark Mautner,  Mike Garza,  Mike Robin (ONR),  Neil Compton,  Patrick,  Patrick DeLarue,  Paul Burgess,  Paul Cotterell,  Paul Donovan (CRO Eastern News),  Peter,  Peter Murphy (Exporail-CRHA),  Phillip Mason,  Pierre Milot,  Railpictures.net. Merci a Mac,  Randy Zarowny,  Ray Farrand,  Ray Kennedy (Old Time Trains),  Rich Jacobson,  Richard,  Richard Marchi,  Rob McCormack,  Roman Litarchuk (CRO),  Ron Ellison (CP),  Ron Visockis,  Shane Deemer,  Steve Bradley,  Steven Rathke,  Ted Ellis (ACR),  Terry Muirhead (VIA News),  The Bridge Line Historical Society,  The Canadian Trackside Guide,  Tim Hayman (CRO - VIA News Editor),  VIA,  Walter Pfefferle (CRO),  Warren Calloway,  Wayne D. Shaw (ONR),  Wayne Koch,  Wilco van Schoonhoven (CPR Diesel Roster).  If we missed you or there are errors please Contact Us

MAILING THE EDITOR:

If mailing me CRO material or payments please note my CRO office Address, and contact info. Any CRO payments sent to me by check, must be payable to William H. Baird, and not to CRO. As well be sure to include your full name, phone number and email address in the letter.

WILLIAM H. BAIRD
Managing Editor - CRO
2137 Rue Dubois 
Montreal, QC 
H4E 1W6
CANADA 

HAVING TROUBLE WITH YOUR CRO PASSWORD?

Be sure to email me right away with any CRO SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL, PASSWORD, LOGIN issues, or other questions.

I will reply as quickly as possible. 


SUBMITTING PHOTOS TO CRO

The size should be no larger than an image width of 1000 pixels.  We can no longer accept over sized photos.  Always include the date, location, train number (if known), and other pertinent information in the photo caption.  Photos and complete captions need to be submitted before the 20th of each to be included in that months issue. If used, VIP Free access to CRO is granted to all who provide their photos and news. 

 As our vignettes segments are very popular with our readers, please continue to submit railroad photos from the past, and send along suggestions for future Vignette subjects, and ideas for CRO Special Reports.

Our CRO readers are primarily male and made up of railfans in the 21-71 age group living in Canada and the USA. 

We have many subscribers who are in the railway industry, railroad management and employees, Locomotive parts and repair shop contacts, railway museum curators and volunteers, Tourist train operators and employees, professional photographers, model train dealers and hobby 

Shops.  These individuals are entitled to free VIP CRO access once approved by our CRO management.  Contact me by email. 

 The mission of CRO is to keep our readers informed of pertinent Canadian locomotive and industry news, which is compiled and verified over the month, and updated as needed.  The accurate information we post each month is obtained and confirmed from our reliable sources. However errors can occur, and we welcome your input in this regard.  I am humble enough to say I do make typos and have inadvertently misspelled a name or misplaced a photo credit.  I will always compensate the photographer and do what is needed to keep all of our contributors happy and satisfied.   CRO is a vehicle to showcase locomotive shots submitted by our readers, credit them, and help promote their photography. We never post photos, without asking the photographer for permission, and once granted, they are given free CRO access for as long as this sharing relationship continues. The same goes for our valued news sources. 

 Take care all,

William H. Baird

CRO Managing Editor

Montreal, QC



HOBBY SHOPS - RETAILERS - TOURIST RAILWAYS

Are you a Hobby Shop, DVD distributor, Railway Museum Tourist Railway, Rail Photographer, and wish to tap into our railfan demographic?    Contact us to learn of the advertising and promotional opportunities in CRO.  

SUBMIT AN OBSERVATION

New issues of CRO are posted each month on our website. News stories pertaining to Canadian railways, photos, comments, favourite links, and questions are always welcome. Please send us your photos, newsworthy sightings and railway stories and if used, will be placed in the CRO newsletter.  Please indicate if you wish your name to be withheld. If your own website pertains to Canadian railways, please contact us.

Submissions should be sent to CRO Editor William H Baird

Copyright CRO May 2016