Algoma Central!!!!

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Robertrains
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Algoma Central!!!!

Unread post by Robertrains »

OK, one month ago, February 1st, was an interesting “Anniversary!!!!” Algoma Central Railway® was purchased by Wisconsin Central Ltd. on 2-1-1995! It was operated nicely by WC! Then CN bought WC in late 2001. CN has now sold most of the Algoma line between Sault Ste. Marie and Oba, Ontario!!!! As a matter of fact Watco® is now the operator as of February 1, 2022!!!! Man it is the same “Date” as when WC bought AC in 1995!!!! Both the “Agawa Canyon Tour Train” and freight are Watco® now!!!! I believe it is now called Agawa Canyon Railway! I guess the old Algoma name is retired (I know the Algoma Central Corporation® operates barges)! This railway has been around since 1899!!!!!! Now, as anyone been there to check the old Algoma (Watco®) since they started? I know border crossings are really hard at this time! Part of the Watco® deal includes operating ex CN/WC branches in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula! I am actually going to the U.P. in early April with old friend Roger! We will catch L.S.I., E&LS and Watco® (among others) for a few days!!!!! Here's an article about the CN sale: https://www.northernontariobusiness.com ... ay-3589694

Algoma Central®
holds a dear place in my heart! I hope Watco® will keep the traditional “Agawa Canyon Tour Train” alive! It would be great to have the “Tour of the Line” train reactivated to Hearst! I have ridden AC six times with my late father (RCJ I) between 1995 and 2005!!!!!

We ventured up to Sault Ste. Marie early in the morning February 4, 1995! Saw our train waiting with two Algoma Central® GP40-2 locomotives. These engines were the last AC purchased and were used. They already had Wisconsin Central® shields and numbers, 3026 and 3027! It’s very interesting since it was only three days after the purchase! These later became the “Map” and Flag” WC painted/decaled locos! In fact this meant we were riding the very first WC operated Snow Train!!!! We did not even know at the time. Well I enjoyed riding this train!!!!! At Agawa Canyon they switched ends of the locos. Here’s a picture (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.) that my Dad (RCJ I) took: Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=2485464

Here's a photo (© Ron Cady) of the same train on its way back just a few hours later: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 951&nseq=1


After riding we watched them back into the yard from the station!
Sequence Shot #1 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385875

Sequence Shot #2 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385877

Sequence Shot #3 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... id=5385879

Sequence Shot #4 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385880

Sequence Shot #5 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385881

Sequence Shot #6 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385882

Sequence Shot #7 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385883

Sequence Shot #8 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385885

Sequence Shot #9 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385886

Sequence Shot #10 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385887

Sequence Shot #11 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385888

Sequence Shot #12 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385889

Sequence Shot #13 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385890

The next day, 2-5-1995, we saw the morning “Snow Train” departure and the “Tour of the Line” train with GP38-2 #2006 backing in the station! It was 32º Fahrenheit! A guy was running down the tracks with a T-shirt on! :shock: His face was all red!!!! :shock: My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=4616925

My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... id=4616924

My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4616923

The next year my Dad (RCJ I) and I (RLJ II) went to go take the “Tour of the Line” train, 3-2/3-1996! We got there before the “Snow Train” departed. WOW!!!! The train now had four F-units!!!! The train departed late so we ate breakfast at the West Side Café®, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario! Every time here we ate at this restaurant! We missed the Snow Train departure. They had some engine problems. Our train to Hearst had an Algoma Central GP38-2! Headed north and the southbound Tour of the Line train passed first at Frater! Later, near Agawa Canyon, the southbound Snow Train passed! My how nice these F-units looked!!!!! My first time seeing four at once passing!!!!

Sequence Shot #1 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Vivitar® 35mm point-and-shoot): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... id=4592696

Sequence Shot #2 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Vivitar® 35mm point-and-shoot): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... id=4592693

Sequence Shot #3 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Vivitar® 35mm point-and-shoot): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... id=4592694

Sequence Shot #4 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Vivitar® 35mm point-and-shoot): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=4592695

We rode all the way to Hearst and stayed at Regine’s Bed and Breakfast®! My how tired I was (age 12 and no sleep the night before)! I collapsed at the restaurant from no sleep in over 36 hours! The next morning we saw Ontario Northland® and WC (AC) diesels! We loaded on the train and shortly backed to the largest “Wye” and turned around! We headed south! We waited at Franz for a CP Rail® train headed east. Also a northbound AC train! This trip was great! :D

Three years later we wanted to go back to Hearst! The Snow Train had a WC GP40 and two SD45s! We rode the “Tour of the Line” train February 20/21, 1999. This time our train had two F-units!!!! Very nice trip! Here’s a shot (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.) that I (RLJ II) took from the vestibule along Ogadaki Lake as we headed north: Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=3669679

We passed the "Snow Train" and other “Tour of the Line” passenger trains! Only the two trains to/from Hearst had F-units! Also saw some WC freight trains along the line! Stayed along the lake in a house at Hearst! Saw the Northern Lights! Very good trip! The ride back was nice! :wink:

On a good Canadian road trip with Dad (RCJ I) we decided to catch Algoma Central®! This was our return from riding the Ontario Northland® “Polar Bear Express” to Moosonee, Ontario!!!! Here’s the southbound AC “Agawa Canyon Tour Train” with four F-units, my Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.) 8-17-1999, Hayden, Ontario: Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=2485457

Man in 2002 we went with our friends Angie, Correy, Roger and Sandy! This was a cool trip! :mrgreen: This was now after CN’s purchase of WC! The Snow Train had a WC GP40 and SD45! All other trains on this line (besides ours) had CN power! We took the “Tour of the Line” train to Hearst! Stayed in some hotel! Our train was powered by WC GP40 #3005! On the return trip we stopped at at Hawk Junction, ON. I (RLJ II) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.), 2-10-2002: Image http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4610737

I (RLJ II) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.), 2-10-2002: Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=4610739

We went once on the last “Agawa Canyon Tour Train” train of the season, 10-18-2003! This was the only time we rode in any other season except Winter! This time the train had two CN SD75I locomotives! The "Tour of the Line" trains used CN GP40-2LW engines!
I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm SL.R.) the train at Agawa Canyon, ON: Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5631440

I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm SL.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5631438

This trip was good! Saw more of the “Algoma” at Salute Ste. Marie and followed a Huron Central® freight east too!!!!

In February 2005 we took our friend Snuzan on the “Tour of the Line” train! This time was a CN GP40-2LW! Went to Hearst and stayed in a hotel! Here’s a view that I (RLJ II) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.) during our northbound journey, February 20, 2005: Imagehttp://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385899

I (RLJ II) took (Canon® 35mm) this of our train preparing to depart from Hearst, 2-21-2005: Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=2485468

A good ride back to Sault Ste. Marie as always! This was my last time riding this train too! On February 22, 2005 I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.) the “Snow Train” using CN GP40-2LW locomotives at the Sault Ste. Marie, ON station: Image http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385900

Sequence shot #1 The Algoma Central® “Tour of the Line” train coming in to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, 2-22-2005 that I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Imagehttp://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385895

Sequence shot #2 I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... d=5385896

Sequence shot #3 I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385897

That’s how my trips riding Algoma Central® happened! I love this place! Now, I will add more later when I get to scanning film and/or uploading pix! I sure hope Watco® will take good care of AC!!!!!

Here’s my Algoma Central® album which includes some 2017 shots: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/archiv ... x?id=66493
Last edited by Robertrains on Sun May 01, 2022 9:55 am, edited 4 times in total.
Robert Jackson (Extreme Railfan/Bluewater and Michigan Transit Museum member)

http://cooltrains.rrpicturearchives.net/

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SD80MAC
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Re: Algoma Central!!!!

Unread post by SD80MAC »

I'll go, Ma.
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AARR
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Re: Algoma Central!!!!

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Thank you for posting the great pictures, Robert!
PatC created a monster, 'cause nobody wants to see Don Simon no more they want AARR I'm chopped liver, well if you want AARR this is what I'll give ya, bad humor mixed with irrelevant info that'll make you roll your eyes quicker than a ~Z~ banhammer...

Robertrains
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Posts: 1989
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Location: Roseville, Michigan!!!!

Re: Algoma Central!!!!

Unread post by Robertrains »

OK folkz! This is a "Historic" moment! April 1st has "Relaxed" Virus Mandates at Canadian check points! My trip to the U.P. is happening soon! I leave on April 1st! I will be gone approx. 6 days! Now the decision is to go to Canada!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: We (Roger and I) will check out the new Watco® Algoma Central® operation! Cool, this will actually be their two month "Anniversary!" WOW!!!!! Not many from Michigan have seen this yet! :shock: Well, February 1st was their start date! I find it very interesting that it is the same "Anniversary" as when Wisconsin Central® purchased Algoma Central® twenty seven years ago (2-1-1995)!!!! On this trip we'll probably see Watco® in the U.P. but my main goal is catching "Green" Lake Superior & Ishpeming® engines!!!!

OK, here now is my most "Recent" Algoma Central® catches (2017/2018)! From August 3rd through Aug. 8, 2017 I went with Gary Sample, Dave Haugan (spelled right?), Ron Cady, (who's picture of AC from 2-4-1995 is the very train I was riding: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 951&nseq=1) all went to catch the Canadian Pacific® 150 Train from west of Thunder Bay heading east! We also caught Algoma Central®!!!! Below are pix from our last day of this trip, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario!

Northbound Algoma Central® "Agawa Canyon Tour Train" with ex Rio Grande® "Ski Train" (and originally Amtrak®) F40PH units we caught going north!!!!

Sequence Shot #1 I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.) the nice train crossing the Goulais River at Searchmont, Ontario, August 8, 2017, F40PH #106:
Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385676


Sequence Shot #2 I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385684

Sequence Shot #3 I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385685

Sequence Shot #4 I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385686

Sequence Shot #5 I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385687

Sequence Shot #6 I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385690

Sequence Shot #7 I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385691

Sequence Shot #8 I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.) with F40PH #105: Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385692

Sequence Shot #9 I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385693

We also saw CN C40-8 #2100 switching the yard at Sault Ste. Marie, ON, 8-8-2017! I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385698

WOW!!!! I found out CN 2100 used to be C&NW #8553!!!! I have actually seen this engine before! :shock:
My late Dad (RCJ I) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.) this train going westbound, Toledo, Ohio, August 1997: Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385191

Also, 8-8-2017 we saw a CN GMD1 sitting in the Algoma Central® yard along with caboose, Snow Plow etc.
I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385700

I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385702

Well a "Surprise" then came on the 2018 CN (GTW) "Santa Train!!!!" They were actually using Algoma Central® F40PH #106!!!! :shock:

My friend "Mazon" and I went to Port Huron and caught it coming in the fog!!!! It "Wyed" and backed in the yard! We captured it stopped in the yard too (with permission)! Both of us got long exposures of this nice train, December 14/15, 2018! Well, is CN keeping the three Algoma Central® F40PH units? Who knows how the current Watco® "Agawa Canyon Tour Train" will run! Looks like the season only will be August through October! Maybe these units will stay in Canada! Well, anyway, catching this unit in Michigan was great!!!!

Here's "Mazon" photographing! I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5461544

"Mazon" Mason Dahlke photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5461534

"Mazon" Mason Dahlke photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5461536

"Mazon" Mason Dahlke photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5461537

"Mazon" Mason Dahlke photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5461538

You can see the rear Class Lights are lit!!!! "Mazon" Mason Dahlke photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5461545

"Mazon" Mason Dahlke photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5461546

"Mazon" Mason Dahlke photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5461547

"Mazon" Mason Dahlke photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5461549

"Mazon" Mason Dahlke photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5461543

I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5461551

I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5461553

I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.): Image
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5461552

Well some more 120 "Medium Format" pix were taken of the "Santa Train" in the yard! Someday I may scan the film! I will post more Algoma Central® pictures on this thread again! I am interested to see how the new Watco® Algoma Central® operation works out! Of course, my trip starting tomorrow shall only yield freights here!!!! Hopefully enough activity at Sault Ste. Marie!

My Algoma Central® album: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/archiv ... x?id=66493
Last edited by Robertrains on Thu Mar 31, 2022 11:40 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Robert Jackson (Extreme Railfan/Bluewater and Michigan Transit Museum member)

http://cooltrains.rrpicturearchives.net/

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Re: Algoma Central!!!!

Unread post by David Collins »

Looking great Robert, what model camera do you use? I myself use a canon EOS Rebel SL2 and I’m working on getting my old Nikon N80 working :)
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Robertrains
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Re: Algoma Central!!!!

Unread post by Robertrains »

David Collins wrote:
Thu Mar 31, 2022 11:26 pm
Looking great Robert, what model camera do you use? I myself use a canon EOS Rebel SL2 and I’m working on getting my old Nikon N80 working :)
Thanx David Collins! OK, the picture links usually have the model cameras! These were done with Canon® AE-1™/A-1™, T-70™, T-90™ 35mm! I also shoot Mamiya® RB 67 and C-220™ "Twin Lens!" I have more kinds too! Looks like I am taking at least 10 cameras on this trip (also using Panasonic® AG-456™ S-VHS camcorder)! :wink:
Robert Jackson (Extreme Railfan/Bluewater and Michigan Transit Museum member)

http://cooltrains.rrpicturearchives.net/

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Re: Algoma Central!!!!

Unread post by AARR »

Superb pictures and backstory, Robert!
PatC created a monster, 'cause nobody wants to see Don Simon no more they want AARR I'm chopped liver, well if you want AARR this is what I'll give ya, bad humor mixed with irrelevant info that'll make you roll your eyes quicker than a ~Z~ banhammer...

Robertrains
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Posts: 1989
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Location: Roseville, Michigan!!!!

Re: Algoma Central!!!!

Unread post by Robertrains »

AARR wrote:
Fri Apr 01, 2022 6:51 am
Superb pictures and backstory, Robert!
Thanx You AARR! "n=No Joke!" I am leaving for this trip today! I will be "Off the Grid" unless at a hotel lobby computer or the old laptop! I love to include stories with pix! A report of the U.P. will be in the thread I have replied on (Railfanning Information 'Upper Peninsula Railroad Operations Thread─GREEN Lake Superior & Ishpeming locos!!!!!')! :wink:
Robert Jackson (Extreme Railfan/Bluewater and Michigan Transit Museum member)

http://cooltrains.rrpicturearchives.net/

Robertrains
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Posts: 1989
Joined: Sun Sep 27, 2009 12:13 pm
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Re: Algoma Central!!!!

Unread post by Robertrains »

Well, the Canada "Border Check Point" was not easy! Even though no "Covid" test required for entry, Canada still needs an "APP" downloaded! I don't do "APPS!!!!" This is ridiculous!!!!! :shock: :!: :!: :shock: Also, we would need to have a place in Canada where we can "Quarantine" for 14 days just in case! Algoma can wait for another time after these "Mandates" go away! A report of the U.P. is in the Railfanning Information "Upper Peninsula Railroad Operations Thread─GREEN Lake Superior & Ishpeming locos!!!!!" :wink:
Robert Jackson (Extreme Railfan/Bluewater and Michigan Transit Museum member)

http://cooltrains.rrpicturearchives.net/

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