On Friday October 9 the first train went (back) to Calais, Maine to service the Domtar plant in Woodland. NBSR 2612 was left there to do the switching.
I suggested that NBSR 3703 would be going down to switch the plant. That rumour is true; however 3703 is not ready yet. She had her cab taken apart two and a half years ago, and then lay dormant in Island Yard in Saint John. It should be painted this weekend and be restored to service in a week or two after that.
This was the first train in Calais since the last train left on May 1, 2009. It's good to see rail service return to the town.
Showing posts with label calais. Show all posts
Showing posts with label calais. Show all posts
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
New Rail Line in Maine?
CBC news is reporting that the city of Eastport, Maine is applying for federal funding to rebuild a railway line from Eastport to the Canadian border at Calais.
The Maine Central Railway abandoned the Eastport branch line in 1978. I understand the state railbanked a portion of the old Calais branch, but the portion from Ayers Junction to Eastport was totally removed.
There is an engineering study posted on the Eastport Port Authority web site. Zipping to the bottom line, we find the costs estimated to be between $26 million and $44 million, depending on what level of track is deemed to be required.
All I can say is "good luck".
The Maine Central Railway abandoned the Eastport branch line in 1978. I understand the state railbanked a portion of the old Calais branch, but the portion from Ayers Junction to Eastport was totally removed.
There is an engineering study posted on the Eastport Port Authority web site. Zipping to the bottom line, we find the costs estimated to be between $26 million and $44 million, depending on what level of track is deemed to be required.
All I can say is "good luck".
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Last Train From Calais
The last train left Calais, Maine yesterday, May 1 2009. I was fortunate to be able to see it in Saint Stephen in the afternoon.
Some Maine railfans were on the scene in the morning and saw Maine Central engine 321, snowplough MEC 73 and a few empty boxcars on the international bridge between Maine and New Brunswick. I understand the NB Southern "south job" was supposed to head down in the morning. However, I found out from McAdam that NBSR 2319 had been sent to Fredericton Junction in the morning to fetch a car, before heading down to Saint Stephen. They didn't leave McAdam until 11 AM.
My father-in-law, my two sons and I left Fredericton around 14:00 and headed down toward McAdam and Saint Stephen. I placed a quick call to one of the Maine railfans and found they were not leaving any time soon. I drove down to Saint Stephen and arrived at the Milltown border crossing at 15:30. There was a long string of cars, snowplough MEC 73, and NBSR 2319 and MEC 321.
The NB Southern crew were using MEC 321 to shunt a few boxcars.
I was told that NBSR 2319 was not working well, so it was good that MEC 321 was available to run! The conductor told me that they were going to shunt the flakeboard plant then head up the road to McAdam. They had to book off by 18:00 so it was questionable whether they would make it on time.
Here are the railfans!
They marshalled the train and the two engines pushed up to the flakeboard plant, with NBSR 434919 leading. Here's a video I took as they entered the plant.
I had to head back to Fredericton, so I grabbed one last shot of the train before heading up the road.
Some Maine railfans were on the scene in the morning and saw Maine Central engine 321, snowplough MEC 73 and a few empty boxcars on the international bridge between Maine and New Brunswick. I understand the NB Southern "south job" was supposed to head down in the morning. However, I found out from McAdam that NBSR 2319 had been sent to Fredericton Junction in the morning to fetch a car, before heading down to Saint Stephen. They didn't leave McAdam until 11 AM.
My father-in-law, my two sons and I left Fredericton around 14:00 and headed down toward McAdam and Saint Stephen. I placed a quick call to one of the Maine railfans and found they were not leaving any time soon. I drove down to Saint Stephen and arrived at the Milltown border crossing at 15:30. There was a long string of cars, snowplough MEC 73, and NBSR 2319 and MEC 321.
The NB Southern crew were using MEC 321 to shunt a few boxcars.
I was told that NBSR 2319 was not working well, so it was good that MEC 321 was available to run! The conductor told me that they were going to shunt the flakeboard plant then head up the road to McAdam. They had to book off by 18:00 so it was questionable whether they would make it on time.
Here are the railfans!
They marshalled the train and the two engines pushed up to the flakeboard plant, with NBSR 434919 leading. Here's a video I took as they entered the plant.
I had to head back to Fredericton, so I grabbed one last shot of the train before heading up the road.
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