tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18600515.post8726777695195532694..comments2023-07-02T09:22:57.566-05:00Comments on Confessions of a Train Geek: Newcastle Sub To Be Abandoned?Canadian Train Geekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05525092107895665275noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18600515.post-80090237506582743132011-09-17T10:07:06.354-05:002011-09-17T10:07:06.354-05:00In the rationalization of Class 1 carrier networks...In the rationalization of Class 1 carrier networks starting in the 1980's, railways first shed their branch lines. This was quickly followed by the severing of the secondary mainlines. In Ontario, this included the London - Stratford - Kitchener - Toronto line. In NB, this obviously was the former Intercolonial line. The sales of the latter line made sense to CN some 15 years ago. <br /><br /> <br />Why did they buy it back one could ask? Perhaps, they wanted an insurance policy if there was an operational issue on the mainline. That would be rather expensive given its condition and the dependence on the bridge traffic. My sense is that they needed to buy back the line as a condition for CN's purchase of the other QRC lines.<br /><br /> <br />In doing work for the Acadian Railway study, we did look at the conditions of the Bathurst to Moncton section. Realistically, about $ 60 million is required to bring the line up to the accepted mainline standards between the Miramichi bridge work as well as ballast, tie and rail upgrades. I am aware of the used ties that were purchased for the line about 5 years ago as a means to defray maintenance costs. From CN’s perspective, if they retained the line, there would also be need to add longer passing tracks should the volume develop.<br /><br /> <br />Having said this, it is not in CN's commercial interest to retain this line. <br /><br /> <br />Should the government bail out the line? That is a tricky issue. The Province clearly has no money. The federal government could consider it but it begs the question is the line in the national interest or purely a NB issue. Rather than looking at an investment in rail infrastructure, any payments could be used as a subsidy to shippers thus increasing the volume on the line or as a labour creating initiative.<br /><br /> <br />As far as the Acadian Railway project is concerned, we would look at buying part of the line and providing CN with running rights over it. As part of the quid pro quo, there would need to be offsetting running rights elsewhere. <br /><br />The Acadian Railway did have a number of conversations and meetings with QRC and NBEC prior to the announcement of CN's buyback. In essence, it would have seen the Acadian buying outright or doing a joint venture with the NBEC the line from Bathurst to Moncton.<br /><br />I have been involved with parties in the North to see what can be done in terms of new volume. However, there is much work to be done to validate the shippers commitments to a new line as well as the approval necessary to construct and operate a line.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18600515.post-25729525671782859212011-09-16T23:10:48.949-05:002011-09-16T23:10:48.949-05:00I have never understood as well why CN bought back...I have never understood as well why CN bought back the line. NBEC was always looking for ways to attract smaller shippers, something CN never had much interest in. <br /><br />So what will happen when they have to close the NTR in the spring because of flooding along the St. John river? NBSR?Luc Mallethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16512740897611331974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18600515.post-2892054797505639852011-09-16T21:22:26.037-05:002011-09-16T21:22:26.037-05:00CN is still running the ultramar consists here in ...CN is still running the ultramar consists here in miramichi every now and again,if we lose the Ocean, we'll be one step closer to a ghost town... Unless they actuialy get our airport a 10,000 foot runway....D--Gabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16771040800189674532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18600515.post-28687743589879678592011-09-16T17:20:18.536-05:002011-09-16T17:20:18.536-05:00Nick Moore could have been sent to Miramichi or ev...Nick Moore could have been sent to Miramichi or even rogersville to report for CTV but i think this was a late breaking exclusive so they got rick grant to report it and he was able to get comments from the CN VP. However today they did send a video crew to take pictures but of course it was mostly just signage and the station and shots of downtown miramichi.Cory Kamermanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03498037942761797316noreply@blogger.com