tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18600515.post7211711201600352793..comments2023-07-02T09:22:57.566-05:00Comments on Confessions of a Train Geek: Miramichi Port Spur Torn UpCanadian Train Geekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05525092107895665275noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18600515.post-70626475291730547072013-03-11T20:52:32.833-05:002013-03-11T20:52:32.833-05:00Regarding CN's purchase of the NBEC line, ther...Regarding CN's purchase of the NBEC line, there are two schools of thought.<br /><br />The first says that the QRC told CN that they had to buy all of the lines owned by the QRC or none. There are certain segments of the former QRC system that were profitable. In that line, the NBEC was purchased not for its own value but rather as the dross for a greater prize.<br /><br />The second says that the line was purchased as an insurance policy of there was any failure on the Edmunston to Moncton line. There are a few bridges that would pose some problems if they went out of commission. The only problem with this thinking is that the line cannot handle double stacked container trains out of Halifax.<br /><br />In 2005, the handwriting was on the wall with the collapse of paper mills in the Campbellton area and at Miramichi. Between 1998 and 2005, the Miramichi lost some 15000 carloads per year.<br /><br />In 2006, the Acadian Railway and the NBEC entered into a series of discussions that would have seen the former enter into a partnership with the latter on the operation of the Bathurst to Moncton section. Eventually, discussions were held with Marc Liberte of QRC to see what options were available. It was concluded that if the NBEC was being sold by QRC then the Acadian line would have the first right to acquire the NBEC. Unfortunately, the terms of the first right did not contemplate the wholesale sale of the QRC system.<br /><br />The Acadian Railway has been in discussions with both CN, the provincial government and select regional economic development bodies to see what can be done.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18600515.post-83498694860895274842013-03-11T15:10:20.273-05:002013-03-11T15:10:20.273-05:00Hi Jake, yes, CN bought the line back from the sho...Hi Jake, yes, <a href="http://blog.traingeek.ca/2008/11/cn-purchases-nbec-cfmg-ocr-cogema.html" rel="nofollow">CN bought the line back from the shortline Quebec Railway Corporation</a> back in late 2008. At the time many wondered why... and probably still do. Clearly CN had a notion that they were going to increase traffic but it did not pan out.Canadian Train Geekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05525092107895665275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18600515.post-7138519137986465482013-03-11T14:58:20.785-05:002013-03-11T14:58:20.785-05:00Am I correct that CN bought the railline back from...Am I correct that CN bought the railline back from a shortline. If the answer is yes, the next question is why? CN would know the carloads being shipped.unles some big shipper was moving into NB.<br />jakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03167746447887248513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18600515.post-42413084495896277422013-03-10T21:44:46.629-05:002013-03-10T21:44:46.629-05:00Hi "Unknown", I totally agree that those...Hi "Unknown", I totally agree that those 700 cars would not be enough.Canadian Train Geekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05525092107895665275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18600515.post-41628920789411119812013-03-10T18:34:21.272-05:002013-03-10T18:34:21.272-05:00According to Professor Joe Due study into branchli...According to Professor Joe Due study into branchline viability, a line requires 100 revenue car per mile of track to remain viable in the long term. At progressively lower carloadings, the probability for failure grows at an incrementally faster rate as operators struggle to find capital to replace motive power and upgrade lines.<br /><br />The portion of the Newcastle subdivision would require 13000 carloads to become viable. The Miramichi Lumber traffic would not sustain the line. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com