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Letters
(Prairie North CNR - Commentary by Richard Gibbons),
Led by the Mayors of Lloydminster, North Battleford, Yorkton, Vegreville and Warman together with 16 First Nations belonging to the Yorkton Tribal Council, the Battlefords Tribal Council; the Battlefords Agency Tribal Council and Onion Lake First Nation, Via Rail has been asked to have Canadian National conduct a line capacity assessment. This report could result in a re routing of Trains #1 and #2 north at Melville to Yorkton and Canora and west to Edmonton over the CN secondary main line, called the Prairie North Line. Via Rail does not agree.
The line is non-signalled (dark) territory yet Via Rail runs the Winnipeg Churchill train (trains 690,691, 692,693); the Montreal Halifax train (14 and 15) and the Montreal Herve train(601-606) over non-signalled territory safely every day. Via thinks that Watrous, Biggar, and Wainwright on the mainline will oppose; but when contacted they agree not to oppose. Via Rail says there is no money for new station facilities for the Prairie North route, the proponents say the "garden sheds and bus shelters" currently on the main line can easily and cheaply be reproduced on Prairie north. Clearly Via Rails management has not taken Trains #1 and #2 and has no idea of the current poor facilities. Via Rail seriously complains that the speed limit of 80 Kph on Prairie North is not sufficient; the proponents say 80 kph is rarely average speed on the current mainline route. It could be on the Prairie North.
The proponents point out that the current route on the mainline has up to 40 trains per day. Via Rail staff call the portion Melville to Saskatoon "The Bermuda Triangle" holding that trains who enter this portion of track are never seen again. Prairie North has 3-6 trains per day which means that On Time Performance will significantly improve. This will mean lower operational costs and increased customer satisfaction and more passengers. Tours using Via Rail will return. There is no scenery Melville to Edmonton over the mainline; the Prairie North takes the Saskatchewan Valley route with many bridges and river views. There are no tourism sites along the CN mainline and a low population. Prairie North has multiple tourist attractions and 120,000 more people. This is a Business Plan for passenger rail in the West.
The proponents say the biggest issue is supply chain management. In addition to the current freight congestion devastating Via Rail's On Time Performance, BHP Billiton is constructing the world's biggest Potash mine at Jansen and CN has built a branch line to the mine site from Nokomis on the CN mainline. With a projected production of 17 million tonnes per year we anticipate two 90 car trains per day on the mainline when the mine is at full production.
We are advised Canadian National Railways is not opposed to the passenger train move but will take no position publicly.
This is essentially the New Brunswick Model where the passenger train is diverted off the mainline to centres with population, scenery, tourist sites and low volume freight traffic running safely in unsignalled territory.
Richard Gibbons -NorSaskLaw
William:
I thought you would enjoy these two Boston & Maine F-7's (belonging to the 470 Railroad Club of Maine) The pair are idling in front of the North Conway, NH depot, the day before our all-day trip up to Mt. Washington.
Paul Donovan - CRO Eastern Shortlines and Regionals News Editor
This is great Paul! Love the B&M as it was my Fathers Favourite RR… Here is B&M 4265 and an interesting lash-up in matching livery at the CP St-Luc Diesel Shop Back in the day. WHB.
Hi William,
Attached is a 3-picture sequence I took back in the fall of 1976… The VIA Rail Turbo Train mural painted at the base of the CN tower, VIA Rail Turbo Train exiting westbound out of Union Station in Toronto, and VIA Turbo Train & Turbo Train mural 'nose to nose'. :-) Maybe something you could use? Have a great afternoon & weekend.
Paul O'Shell - Ontario.
From the Editor
Hello Dear friends,
If you would, please send a warm thought out to our dear CRO Colleague… Mr. Earl Roberts, who during November has been in hospital in Ottawa. We wish him love, health and a speedy recovery.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS Everyone and please stay safe out there.
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