Caption: An A Train of semi-trailers bearing two 20' Terra Transport containers is seen in Johnstown, Ontario in April 1984. The containers were new within the last five years with the advent of Terra Transport in September 1979. Many of these containers lasted well beyond the end of the former Newfoundland Railway in September 1988. A Ford tractor is in command at the Johnstown grain elevators. For decades these elevators were the site of grain transshipments between 'Lakers' and 'Canallers.' Prior to the opening of the Seaway in 1959, the small size of the locks between Cardinal, Ontario and Montreal precluded the use of 'Lakers' due to their larger size. Winter storage continues to be a long-time feature of the elevators. As well, boats were often wintered here when the lakes and Seaway were closed to shipping. In the background, the M/V Cartiercliffe Hall is in winter layup. The M/V Cartiercliffe Hall was built in Hamburg, Germany, in 1960 for service as an ocean ore carrier. In 1976 it was converted for use as a dry bulk carrier for Great Lakes service. In June 1979 downbound to Port Cartier from Lake Superior, it was involved in a fire in the crew quarters that killed seven of 23 crewmembers. More details of the tragedy may be found here: http://continuouswave.com/misc/cartiercliffehall.html. Sold and renamed AlgoOntario, the boat was sold for scrap in 2009.
The covered hoppers are on National Harbours Board tracks which were served by CN off the Kingston Sub and CP Rail off their Prescott Sub prior to its abandonment in 1997. It was an interchange point between the railways and the switches were interlocked to prevent collisions.
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Great shot Bill! Terra Transport…years ahead of it’s time. – Ken