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Caption: We've heard recently of the loss of considerable trackage by both the GEXR and the SOR in Ontario before the end of the year 2018, but also the G&W is threatening once again to shut down the Huron Central Railway before the end of the year. Money badly needed via the government so far has not been put on the table, and without $46.2M over 5 years the railroad cannot undertake badly needed track maintenance. So it is a wait and see what happens situation for the time being. The line is in rough shape. It was leased from CP back in 1997 and sufficient money to keep the road up to snuff has not materialized. Adding to the problem is declining tonnage over the 283KM track from SOO to Sudbury. Main customers are Essar Steel (Algoma) out of the SOO, and forest products from Domtar (Espanola) and Eacom (Nairn Centre). Shipping of 13,000 carloads a year all told apparently is not enough to keep the line economically viable. Pictured is a typical daily train (one each way) westbound crossing the Spanish River, roughly between McKerrow and Nairn Centre. Power is HCRY 3012, 3010 and 3011.
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Nuts, won’t be much left of G&W Canada if this all comes to pass..
What’s the typical schedule of this train to/from the sault? Looking to head up this way this summer.
As Chris Vander Heide suggested on the Facebook ‘Ontario Branch Lines’ group, if the line doesn’t come to pass the Sault Ste Marie steel mill freight would have to go up the Algoma Central to interchange with CP then back down to Sudbury. The room for cars at the Franz Interchange is questionable. So that would leave OVR and Quebec Gatineaue and a couple of wee lines in Labrador.. And to think I just received my $300 G&W model locomotive.. hope I didn’t put the hex on the operation!
Great shot Arnold! HCRY is better days!
The original GEXR will still be there, and SOR will have a presence still in Naticoke. Don’t forget the CBNS as well as the St.Lawrence and Atlantic is a part of G&W Canada Region.