The End of Eastern Rail Services

Today Eastern Rail Services, the shops at Campbellton, shut down. ERS performed locomotive and car repair work out of the facility. Eight people were laid off.

Six carmen will be working out of the building to support CN's operations through Campbellton, but the days of locomotive repair are over... at least for now. The last time the shops were closed were in 1988 when CN sold the facility to the Quebec Railway Corporation.


The five RTCs will be done on May 28.

Best of luck to the former ERS employees.

RS18s in Campbellton

On Monday night I had the opportunity to tour the Campbellton yard. With permission, of course! NBEC 1819 was in the shop track, having received a new head. It was being readied for its new career.


Outside, NBEC 1845 was resting in the yard. 1845 is operational and is currently used as the shop switcher.


There are three dead RS18s around the yard, 1809, 1830 and 1855.






There were a few MOW (Maintenance Of Way) pieces around the yard. Plow NBEC 55420 was the only one left, since its sister 55419 went to the Bay.


Two cars are waiting for the scrapper. The plaque on Jordan Spreader 50955 reads "JORDAN SPREADER O.F. JORDAN CO. EAST CHICAGO INDIANA PATENTED OTHER PATENTS PENDING".


Rare flanger NBEC 56201 is also destined for the scrapper. Yes, it's a flanger, not a caboose.


A quick hat tip to CJF - it was very nice to meet you. Thanks to all the Eastern Railway Services people for your hospitality! I wish you all the best of luck.

Defective Wheel Bearing on the Ocean

VIA 615 (Halifax-Montreal) was terminated at Campbellton last night / this morning due to a defective wheel bearing. It was taken to the Eastern Railway Services (ERS) shops to be repaired this evening.

Michel Boudreau reports that they stopped at the Nepisiguit sub switch as usual, to reline it for the mainline after the ore train went through. There or shortly afterward, they received a hot wheel bearing warning, did an inspection, then proceeded to Bathurst. At Bathurst they decided to continue to Campbellton, and then the decision was made to stop there. The passengers were loaded onto buses to continue on to their destinations.

Apparently VIA 7217 (a coach) was the problem car. Michel posted a video of VIA 615 arriving and departing Bathurst. At the end of the video you can hear a report on the hot wheel.