Gaspé Train Site Now Live

There's a new web site devoted to the return of VIA Rail to the Gaspé peninsula  - www.gaspetrain.org.

I've been working with Bernard Babin to build the site and it is now live. Please visit and share with friends!

Please visit this page and download and sign the petition (direct link) to show your support. There are sample letters / petitions there as well.

Thanks for your support.

www.gaspetrain.org

Gaspé Train Calendar

Bernard Babin is offering a 2011 calendar featuring trains from the beautiful Gaspé Peninsula.

"This calendar will display quality pictures of passenger and freight trains to and from the Gaspé area. It’s also a great way to advertise and promote rail services and the amazing scenery of the Gaspé Coast."

"Hurry up and order your 2011 calendar for only $15 CAD + postage fees if applicable. Quantities limited. Contact: Bernard.Babin@yahoo.ca"

I haven't seen the calendar but any photos featuring the Gaspé are going to be beautiful. It is an amazing place.

PS: Don't forget my calendar. :)

More VIA Derailment Photos

Bernard Babin took more photos at VIA derailment scene in St-Charles, Quebec (first set here) on Saturday, February 27.

I fear for VIA 6400. Maybe the damage is only to the cowl but it looks bad. In this photo you can see her trucks have been removed and she is sitting on the fuel tank and ends.


Bernard's words: "All equipment is still present on site, the 6400 is standing in loco, cars are near the scene of the accident, in the siding. Note that two sleeping cars are there in the subdivision Levis, where the sub leaves Ultratrain Levis to get on Montmagny subdivision. The cars are very close to 0.68 MP not far from the crossing."

It almost looks like a burn mark on the outside of the Skyline car under the "Canada".

By comparison, VIA 6457 looks pristine... but only by comparison. Still, from this photo the damage looks relatively superficial.


Thanks again to Bernard for the photos.

VIA 15 Derailment Photos

Bernard Babin very kindly gave permission for me to post these photos of the VIA 15 derailment site. He and his friends went to the site a few hours after the derailment and took some photos in the falling snow.


Workers at the scene of the derailment.


VIA 6400 on her side. 6400 was the lead engine of the train. Note the ladder propped against the nose, probably to help the crew get out of the cab.


The Skyline car and the coach were still upright after the derailment. Note the destruction to the house on the right, as well as the downed power lines.


The junction of VIA 8620 and 8140. It's amazing that they stayed coupled together.

The train had the following consist: engines 6400 and 6457; baggage 8620; coach 8140; Skyline 8507; diner 8401 Acadian; and sleepers 8225 Chateau Rouville, 8211 Chateau Laselle, 8222 Chateau Richelieu.

The line was reopened the same day, around 6 PM local time.

Bernard and friends host the Trains en Gaspésie web site. Check it out!