Regionals & Shortlines

Eastern Region

Edited by Paul Donovan

Thanks this month to Michael Shawn Dempsey, Chuck Hastings, Jody Robinson, Brian Barchard, Ryan Cranke, Matt Landry, and Lucas Leighton for information and photos. If you have any current news or photos regarding the Eastern regional railways, please contact me at cdonovan32@aol.com. Thanks!

Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway

CN announced on November 1st that it had "purchased a stake in the Cape Breton & Central Nova Railway" to expand its reach in the Maritimes. Left unsaid about the stake: Why and how much. What is still operated of the CB & CNS, essentially the line from CN's Halifax main line at Truro to Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, was wholly owned by Genessee & Wyoming Industries. The line from Port Hawkesbury to Sydney, Nova Scotia is, charitably speaking, "out of service", but is so overgrown and contains so many washouts as to be prohibitively expensive to reactivate. The developer of a proposed container port in the Sydney area which would have required restoration of the northern portion of the line has turned their focus to offshore wind. However, another developer is now proposing a container port closer to the end of the active line, at Port Tupper. Given that worldwide container shipping is dramatically reduced post-pandemic, the odds of any of these new container ports actually taking root seems to be low – at least for now

However, correspondent Chuck Hastings reports container traffic is forecast to pick up in 2024. An important element that may also change the outlook for rail land-bridge container movement across North America is the current state of the Panama Canal. Container traffic for East Coast ports passing through the canal competes with containers unloaded on west coast Canadian and US ports and which then travel by rail across the continent, are reloaded on ships, and continue to Europe. It's cheaper to ship to Europe from the Pacific Rim on an all-ship route and avoid trans-shipping containers on both coasts. Currently, the canal is suffering an incredible backlog due to lack of water in Panama. Much of the water used to operate the locks and keep water levels high in Gatun Lake, which is utilized as one link in the canal, comes from fresh water sources in upland Panama that are severely depleted by climate change. There is apparently no short-term fix in terms of the water supply, as annual rainfall in Panama has dropped off precipitously. Dredging is not a solution either, due to the time needed and a continued decline in water levels. In sum, more container ports may eventually evolve in the Canadian Maritimes, but right now, the traffic is not there to support the two large ports already in operation, Halifax and Saint John. CN obviously believes this will change.

CBC's short piece on the CN purchase of a stake in CB&CNS is in the link below:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cn-investment-nova-scotia-railway-could-affect-cape-breton-subsidy-1.7016735

Eastern Maine Railway

Eastern Maine Railway, in concert with its eastern sister road, New Brunswick Southern Railway, appears to be about to embark on major upgrades to its rail structure next summer, including installing continuous welded rail (or at least poor-man's welded rail – stick rail welded at each joint). Also in the pipeline for next summer are new switches and rebuilt crossings across the 100 miles of the line in Maine. The 40 mph speed increase is a rumor that has lasted through my 15 years in this part of the world, and I doubt that it is really in the cards.

Lucas Leighton caught Maine Northern train 909-19 passing the site of the new 2-mile long Knight's siding east of Brownville Junction, Maine November 19th. Eastern Maine Railway and Maine Northern Railway trains will soon be stored off the main when necessary to avoid congestion at CPKC's yard in Brownville Junction, Maine. Lucas reports that land clearance and grading is nearly complete. It will be a race to complete the siding before freeze-up, but this is apparently the goal. It will certainly give EMR some much-needed operational flexibility. (Lucas Leighton photo)

On that theme of operational flexibility, Lucas is shedding some light on proposed changes to EMR traffic patterns likely to result from the reopening of the Mattawamkeag Interchange. Apparently, a BJCT turn to Mattawamkeag will do all the switching of east and westbound traffic to and from CSX at Keag. This will bring back four trains a day operation over EMR, but just the segment from Brownville Junction to Mattawamkeag. EMR is operating a sporadic "as needed" extra from Oakfield to McAdam and back – what trains 907 and 908 used to do, but the frequency is currently hovering around once a week each way.

Not much moving in daylight over the Mattawamkeag Sub of EMR lately, aside from the occasional extra. Here's a shot of mine of a westbound extra at Bancroft, working to get a snow shovel to the other end of the railroad at Siberia. (Paul Donovan photo)

I always enjoyed shooting, developing and printing black and white photos, so just for a minute, I'll take us back to that bygone era with this shot of an extra from McAdam, New Brunswick to Oakfield, Maine just hitting the crossing at Wytopitlock, Maine May 6, 2023. Still a few SD40-2's around, but not many. Matt Landry reports all but two have been set aside for scrap or are in storage. (Paul Donovan photo)

Maine Northern Railway

Lucas Leighton captured this great sunset image of Maine Northern train 909 on the home stretch to Oakfield at Dyer Brook, Maine November 19th. (Lucas Leighton photo)

Lucas Leighton related that a tie gang is winding up work in Millinocket Yard and track to the former engine house will probably go down in the next few weeks. What this is now shaping up to be is a reactivation of Millinocket Yard, much like the old days when it was the center of operations of Maine, Montreal and Atlantic Railway. A Maine Northern turn from Oakfield will now interchange with a Maine Northern train operating only as far north as Millinocket, which will then turn back to Brownville Junction.

Although I may be talking about the same Oakfield – Millinocket train described in the paragraph above, the Scopan – Oakfield turn will now likely run through Oakfield to Millinocket. This may take some pressure off Oakfield Yard, which was regularly getting plugged up over the last year with traffic coming down from up north and empties headed back there.

New Brunswick Southern Railway

Matt Landry gave us this beautiful image during the annual "Christmas At The Station" in McAdam, NB on November 25th. (Matt Landry photo)

Matt also provided us with this colorful shot of NBSR 121 at Nerepsis, NB the same day. (Matt Landry photo)

Correspondent Jody Robinson photographed another cut of new 80-foot rails for NBSR at McAdam November 21st. Jody calculated that nearly 5 miles of new rail were on the six flatcars. (Jody Robinson photo)

Brian Barchard has been watching the rail welding contractor move west on NBSR, and took this photo of the team gathering at Harvey Station November 23rd. 115-pound rail and tie work are part of the mix. At this point, welded rail is east of Fredericton Junction and headed for McAdam, but we'll see whether this will continue now that winter is here to stay. (Brian Barchard photo)

Ryan Cranke was chasing the St. Stephen Branch train working to and from McAdam, NB November 9th in one of our first snows. (Ryan Cranke photos)

CSX Ex-Pan Am Railways Lines

CSX has, as of press time, not reopened the Mattawamkeag, Maine interchange with Eastern Maine Railway/New Brunswick Southern Railway. It seemed when I have gone to take a look, some small crew would be working on last details of the complete rebuild that CSX performed. It's kind of odd to see a completely empty rebuilt yard with clean ballast and dozens of newly installed items, including crossing signals and defect detectors, but no trains to activate them. Relief may be in sight: Latest prediction of startup is the first week of December. However, correspondent Lucas Leighton reports that employees are being told that operation east of Old Town, Maine will initially only be three days a week. Also mentioned was a limit on 45 cars for each interchange train from Northern Maine Junction. This is a puzzle to me, as I've witnessed past Pan Am Railways trains arriving Keag with as many as 84 cars, and the yard certainly has that capacity.

Lucas reports other CSX changes: The former NMMA/MANM (Northern Maine Junction to Mattawamkeag and back) trains of Pan Am days are going to originate at Rigby Yard in South Portland, Maine and run only as far east as Northern Maine Junction (Outside Bangor). This might mean a downgrading of operations at Waterville Yard.

Eastern Regionals Odds & Ends

Every fall, even during the pandemic, I have ridden the 470 Railroad Club charter train around Central New Hampshire. This year was the second outing for our back-to-back Boston & Maine F7's. Beautiful sun in North Conway soon gave way to torrential rain at Fabyans, New Hampshire. This year, two GP38's, both ex-Maine Central, operated on the rear of the train, which has swelled over the years to nine cars. This year, a Budd-built dome from the defunct Orford (Quebec) Express tourist train has joined Conway Scenic Railways roster, still in Orford Express paint. (Paul Donovan photos)

Ontario

Essex Terminal Railway (ETR)

New Chicago-Toronto passenger rail service on AMTRAK & VIA (with the ETR in Windsor):

A New USA CANADA passenger rail service could be returning to Windsor if this proposed expansion involving Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada moves ahead. The $44 million proposal would see passenger service between Chicago and Toronto come through the Detroit River Rail Tunnel with a third mainline on the Essex Terminal Railway line connecting the CP tracks to the existing VIA Rail station in Windsor.

"It's exciting," said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. "Because you have President Biden of the United States who supports Amtrak and wants to see big investments being made and wants to support that. So you have him investing in Amtrak on the U.S. side and Amtrak saying, 'well, you know, what, we need a connection to Toronto.'" Officials believe the project would address population and traffic increases while supporting economic growth, suggesting 66,500 passengers would use the service each year, with 14,000 passengers starting and finishing their trip in Windsor.

"This used to exist in the past, it ended some decades ago," Dilkens explained. "So all of the work is being done now to get approval in the U.S. and in Canada for a joint customs facility to be located at the Via station in Windsor, to fix the crossings that we believe need to be fixed and upgraded to eventually see service start by 2027. It's a great option to have because you'll be able to take the train from Windsor to Chicago and then once you get into Chicago, you can literally take the train to 35 other states in the United States. And of course, when you're in Canada, once you get to Toronto, you can branch out to the rest of the VIA network across the Border". Amtrak and VIA are paying for the project that includes improvements to nine grade crossings in Windsor. Dilkens said improving the safety of both passenger and freight operations could also alleviate noise concerns raised by many Walkerville residents within the last year.

These are then Proposed Stations:
• Chicago, IL
• Hammond-Whiting, IN
• Michigan City, IN
• New Buffalo, MI
• Niles, MI
• Dowagiac, MI
• Kalamazoo, MI
• Battle Creek, MI
• Albion, MI
• Jackson, MI
• Ann Arbor, MI
• Dearborn, MI
• Detroit, MI
• Windsor-Walkerville, ON (NEW)
• Chatham, ON (NEW)
• Glencoe, ON (NEW)
• London, ON (NEW)
• Ingersoll, ON (NEW)
• Woodstock, ON (NEW)
• Brantford, ON (NEW)
• Aldershot, ON
• Oakville, ON
• Toronto, ON

See AMTRAK Article: https://www.amtrakconnectsus.com/maps/chicago-detroit-toronto/

"Improving the crossings would actually make a noticeable improvement to some of the complaints that we receive with respect to train whistles, and so it's all part of the economic development progress that we're seeing here and the activity that people are seeing and improving the rail system is great because it gives us more options to travel throughout the United States and across Canada," Dilkens noted. "The plan isn't final yet but I've never seen this amount of momentum, wanting to move this project forward. Momentum from the United States and then the connection in Canada as well. So there really seems like there's a real possibility that this could happen."

Essex Railway Terminal President and CEO Tony De Thomasis said the project is still in the early stages. "I think it's a great opportunity for the region," De Thomasis exclaimed. "It provides great connectivity to the United States." "We're just very happy to play a part in this project to connecting cities and connecting people and moving cars off the roadways and moving them into different modes of transpiration." "We're in the design stages so we'll have a better understanding of what that looks like as we move the process forward. There are a number of improvements slated for this segment of rail that will play a major part in the safety of the public as well as the efficiency of that railway." De Thomasis added, "We're always happy to be moving our region forward."

Huron Central Railway (HCRY)

HCRY INCIDENT: HCRY 802 and loaded box car NRLX 402179 derailed on a siding at McKerrow, mile 41.6 HCRY Webbwood Sub. The HCRY Webbwood subdivision is 179.1 miles running between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie, ON. No leaks. No injuries. (2023/11/19)

Industrials

On September 5, 2018, at Mile 1.71, on Chemical spur Lead, Terry O'Shell clicked LTEX 1001 switching the Oxy Vinyl's Canada plant in Allanburg, Ontario.

Ontario Northland Railway (ONT)

NEW LIFE: Discontinued back in 2012… The Ontario Northland Transportation Commission announced the Northlander train will be back on the tracks in 2026. Alan Spacek, the Commission Chair of Ontario Northland, emphasized how "the government has been very supportive of this project, and of course, Minister Fedeli has been extremely supportive of reinstating that service." Both are very excited to get the Northlander back on track, and at these community information events, folks are happy to hear the news. "It's been a very positive response," Evans said, "a lot of support from all demographics and future riders of the Northlander train." To announce its pending return, and to gather feedback from future passengers, members of the Ontario Northland team are setting up shop at each stop along the track, and today's stop was at the Ontario Northland Station in North Bay. "This is tremendously exciting," said Mayor Peter Chirico. "We're one year into the program now, and we're two and half away to getting there."

It was last December, within this very station, when the Associate Minister of Transportation at the time, Stan Cho, announced he would be purchasing three train sets that would be used for the return of the Northlander passenger train service, recalled Ontario Northland's CEO, Chad Evans. "People are very excited to travel by train throughout Northern Ontario."

Ontario Residents and travelers are encouraged to offer their thoughts on the future train service as well, including the final design of the train's paint job. There are two options available, and so far, the votes are tight. Ontario Northland is also taking suggestions for its future menu, including drink suggestions. As for drinks, "good coffee" is leading the way, as are a handful of beer suggestions.

The three trains have been ordered, Evans emphasized, and they will be built in California by Siemens, which will begin building the trains early next year. The cost is $139.5 million. The new trains will have engines on both the front and the back and be designed with accessibility in mind for all riders. Ontario Northland estimates that once the train gets going, it could service between 40 to 60 thousand passengers a year. "It's a modern, state of the art train set," Evans emphasized. Brand new and built for the purpose of becoming the Northlander. Better equipped for longer distances and colder climates. Ticket prices are still on the drawing board but will be announced soon.

Riding from North Bay southward, you'll stop at South River, Huntsville, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Washago, Gormley, Langstaff, and end at Union Station in Downtown Toronto. From North Bay, it will take about two and half hours to get to Bracebridge and about five hours to Union Station. Mayor Chirico is thrilled to see another travel alternative coming to the North, and noted how council has been supportive of the project. "People need that alternative to get to Toronto, whether it be for medical, visiting family or just for entertainment." "This is going to be a great alternative," and having less vehicles on the roads will also benefit the environment, Chirico added. Asked what his first destination will be aboard the new Northlander, Chirico responded with a laugh, "if that first train coming through is going north, I'll be heading north, and if it's going south, I'm going south." "Absolutely, I'll be on it.

A NEW PAINT SCHEME: Ontario Northland are currently comparing and evaluating potential new ONR liveries for their three new Siemens-built "Northlander" train sets. Have any Ideas? I personally like this artistically-done by "WDTX", as it honours the former ONR T-E-E sets from the 1970's – WHB.

ONT SD40-2 1733 was captured ready to roll by Mike Robin at the Cochrane Shops January 15, 2020.

ONT GP38-2 1805 is captured teamed up with ONT 1804 in two different liveries at the Cochrane Shop on August 5th, 2018.

The Crewmen… MJ, Clayton, and Dave sort out some North Yard tonnage during an extra yard job at Cochrane November 6, 2017.

Northbound 213 rolls up south yard 1, with the south yard 2 switch in the foreground at Cochrane, ON, October 30, 2015.

A shot from Cochrane Shops as Ontario Northland's newly acquired APCU's 221 and 220 are being worked on by support workers from NRE on 2 track April 6, 2019.

Ontario Southland Railway (OSRX)

GREAT SHOT! Ontario Southland F-units ONT FP9A 1401 and ONT FP9A 6508 pass Putnam, Ontario with tank cars while working the "St. Thomas Job". The railway maintains three operational EMD F-units dating from 1954. Since they do not see a huge amount of use we were very fortunate to be able to catch them on a revenue earning freight during their visit A full report of his time in the USA and Canada this summer can be found at https://trains-today.blogspot.com

Good looking ex-CP GP9u Ontario Southland Railway (OSR) 1594, was shot by Walter Pfefferle rolling past some backyards as they depart Woodstock enroute to Ingersoll on November 2, 2023.

The previous month Walter Pfefferle snapped this nice shot of the same unit (OSR 1594) hustling railcars to destination near Ingersoll, ON, October 26, 2023.

On November 22, 2023, Walter caught this Ontario Southland Railway local with paired ex-CP SW1200RS's (OSR 1245 and OSR 1249), in Beachville destined to Woodstock, Ontario.

AN OSR FLASHBACK TO 2005 - (By Walter Pfefferle):

Ontario Southland Railway S13 (OSR 501) was working in the Ingersoll yard July 8, 2005. It was sold to Waterloo Central Railway in June 2018 and now runs on the tourist railway there.

OSR RS18 poses in front of the Michigan Central Railway building during "Railway Days" holiday in St. Thomas Ontario on July 3, 2005.

OSR 183 was shot working in the CP Yard Ingersoll Ontario getting cars ready for Tillsonburg, on April 4, 2005.

OSR S13 502 heading to Tillsonburg. This MLW unit was later sold to Waterloo Central Railway in June 2018.

OSR RS23's OSR 504 OSR 503 working in the CP yard Ingersoll Ontario April 15, 2005.

Waterloo Central Railway

WCR VIGNETTE: back in 2010, David Broughton caught a 70-ton locomotive originally built by GE in February 1950 as PGE (Pacific Great Eastern) #556. Serial number 30440, In January 1965 it was sold to Lake Ontario Steel in Whitby, ON and in 1997 was donated to the Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society in St. Thomas, ON. It later became WCR #1556. https://waterloocentralrailway.com

Quebec

ArcelorMittal (AMMC)
(Formerly Quebec-Cartier Mining)

In Early November, six fresh CEFX AC4400CW repaints headed down river today on the St. Lawrence Seaway on M/V Heerengracht. Two on deck and four in the holds. CEFX 1041 is in ArcelorMittal colours. Destination is the AMMC - Chemin de fer Cartier on Lease. (Photo by David Diana).

Cartier (QCM) X-23 Jordan Spreader medium front plow w/snow curls, straight side wings, raised rea platform, diesel powered hydraulic controlled cylinders, and custom cab. QCM 899 was built in 1960, and shot in Port Cartier, QC, on March 28, 2006. (Paul O'Shell photo).

Cartier (QCM) X-24 Jordan Type A, 3-175 spreader with tall front blade articulated (broken) side wings, long chassis, high rear platform QCM 900 Built 1960 and shot in Port Cartier, QC, March 28, 2006. (Paul O'Shell photo).

QCM 898 (Cartier) GMD M-16 (Mobile 16 cylinder) Power Generator Car in Port Cartier, QC on October 30, 2007. (Paul O'Shell photo).

Cartier (QCM) WE-1 Scale Test Car in Port Cartier, QC on November 13, 2003. (Paul O'Shell photo)

Cartier (QCM) WE-2 Scale Test Car in Port Cartier, QC on November 13, 2003. (Paul O'Shell photo)

QCM VIGNETTE: Bill Kalkman photographed (QCM) Quebec Cartier Mining M636 #73 on the point of a Northbound empty ore train crossing the Riviere aux Rochers at MP 9, location Able, on QCM's South Sub., at 2:30PM on July 15,1993 in the Reserve Faunique, Quebec.

Port of Montreal (POM)

POM VIGNETTE: GATX MP15AC 5000 (Is former Port of Montreal, nee-NHB 8403 MP15AC) and slug 5001 is ex-KCS) are seen just out of Metro East Industries (MEI) paint shop in East St Louis, IL, on February 27, 2014. (Taken for GATX and on MEI property by Mike Mautner with permission).

Quebec Gatineau Railway (QGRY)

Quebec-Gatineau SD70MAC (QGRY) 4015 is shown in the first photo by Leif Tillotson, taken when she arrived in horrible BNSF livery patched QGRY in St. Albans, VT. In his three other images that follow you can see how good she looked on November 13, 2023. once the G&W-Family repainting had been completed at their shop. BEFORE - AND AFTER:

Quebec North Shore & Labrador (QNS&L)

QNS&L INCIDENTS:

QNSL assignment MS126O was about to pull its cars from P-Track #2 in Sept-Iles when the crew noticed empty gondola car IOCC 3056 had derailed, upright during the unloading process at mile 1.0 Wacouna Sub. No injuries. No DG involved. (2023/11/13)

QNSL light engine movement was proceeding southward on track RX-02 in Sept-Iles yard when unit QNSL 312 derailed, upright, at mile 1.0 Wacouna Sub. No injuries. No damage. No leaks. (2023/11/10)

Chemins de Fer Sartigan Railway (CFS)

Sartigan Railway (CFS) Chemins de Fer Sartigan RS18u 1828 was shot by Dannick Fournier passing Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzon, QC, on the Quebec Central Vallee Subdivision, November 12, 2023. His second shot shows the train climbing the grade to Saint-Jean-Chrysostome, Quebec.

Dannick Fournier captured (Chemins de Fer Sartigan) CFS M420W 2044 (and an ex-OSR, exx-BCOL MLW Sibling), passing through Saint-Jean-Chrysostome, Quebec returning to Scott-Jonction terminal, on the Quebec Central Vallee Subdivision October 14, 2023.

Western Region

BC Rail Vignettes

Paul O'Shell shot BCOL 6401 an American W-150 wrecking crane (Serial No. W-3854 built 1969) in Prince George, BC May 1, 2002.

BNSF in Canada

BNSF DERAIL In Western Canada: Last Night around 2:30AM (November 19, 2023), in the North Delta Watershed Park, located in Delta, BC, BNSF northbound train (R NWE8041 18L), ran into the side of BNSF Southbound (+M VBCEVE1 18T) at the passing siding. This derailed the 2 lead BNSF units on the northbound train (R NWE8041 18L), derailed as did several railcars of both trans. Happily all but one of the Tank Cars that derailed in this incident were empty. One of the tank cars had ruptured and leaked most of its contents out. There is an arieal shot showing a large amount of liquid all over the ground by the tank car that's on its side. The empties were destined northbound into Canada for loading, so there was no spilling of Dangerous Goods. The Canadian NTSB is currently on site as are BNSF work crews.

This location is just North of Colebrook, BC, on BNSF mainline to USA - it appears from the photo, that the train with derailed locomotives may have overrun the north siding switch, causing some type of sideswipe with the train on the (main line) adjacent track. This is CTC controlled by the Train Dispatcher in Fort Worth, Texas.

Cando Rail Services (CCGX)

INCIDENT: CEMR assignment 509-14 (CCGX 1504, 2L, 2E, 0R, 360T, 240FT) reportedly derailed, upright, lead unit CCGX 1504 and loaded tank car SHPX 214254 (Corn Oil) while proceeding Westward at mile 4.6 CEMR Pine Falls Sub. No injuries. No DG involved. (2023/11/14).

Greater Winnipeg Water District (GWWD)

GWWD INCIDENT: On October 31, 2023, in Winnipeg, MB, a Semi Tractor Trailer truck (going far too fast on the icy road conditions at that time) and could not stop when the FL&B came on at the level crossing before him. The Truck driver attempted to take the ditch jack knifed and rolled over onto the track. The GWWD RS23 and 2 tank cars went on the ground and need minor repairs.

Southern Railway of BC (SRY)

This Mother - Daughter set with SRY 129 (EMD GP7u), was the Motive Power to slug SRY 121 (EMD Control Cab Slug, Ex GP9). The 129 is an oldie of 1950 vintage, upgraded of course… It was originally a St. Louis & San Fransisco (SLSF) unit, (AKA "FRISCO"). SRY 121 was a 1957 vintage Norther Pacific (NP) unit. These were shot by Andy Cassidy on October 20th, 2015. On this day in New Westminster, BC, it was before noon and my usual run through the Dock Yard there had me stop for this sequence of the SRY making a move from their Trapp Yard up to the Common in the first couple shots where they got on the CN Lulu Island Industrial Line off the CP Marpole Spur at Mile 16.0. They make their way a very short distance along the CN line to Mile 1.5 where they switch up to their own Annacis-Queensboro Branch just at Laguna Court off the Quayside Drive. Then they head up the short approach hill to the Queensboro Bridge and over to Queensborough and Annacis Island. **Note the new 'grey' roof paint versus the old Black roof.