Algoma Central!!!!
Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2022 9:59 pm
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:
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.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385875
Sequence Shot #2 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385877
Sequence Shot #3 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... id=5385879
Sequence Shot #4 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385880
Sequence Shot #5 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385881
Sequence Shot #6 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385882
Sequence Shot #7 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385883
Sequence Shot #8 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385885
Sequence Shot #9 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385886
Sequence Shot #10 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385887
Sequence Shot #11 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385888
Sequence Shot #12 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385889
Sequence Shot #13 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
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! His face was all red!!!! My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=4616925
My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... id=4616924
My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
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):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... id=4592696
Sequence Shot #2 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Vivitar® 35mm point-and-shoot):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... id=4592693
Sequence Shot #3 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Vivitar® 35mm point-and-shoot):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... id=4592694
Sequence Shot #4 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Vivitar® 35mm point-and-shoot):
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!
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:
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!
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:
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! 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: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4610737
I (RLJ II) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.), 2-10-2002:
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:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5631440
I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm SL.R.):
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: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385899
I (RLJ II) took (Canon® 35mm) this of our train preparing to depart from Hearst, 2-21-2005:
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: 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.): http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385895
Sequence shot #2 I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... d=5385896
Sequence shot #3 I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
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
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:
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.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385875
Sequence Shot #2 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385877
Sequence Shot #3 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... id=5385879
Sequence Shot #4 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385880
Sequence Shot #5 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385881
Sequence Shot #6 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385882
Sequence Shot #7 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385883
Sequence Shot #8 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385885
Sequence Shot #9 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385886
Sequence Shot #10 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385887
Sequence Shot #11 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5385888
Sequence Shot #12 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385889
Sequence Shot #13 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
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! His face was all red!!!! My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=4616925
My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... id=4616924
My Dad (RCJ I) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
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):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... id=4592696
Sequence Shot #2 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Vivitar® 35mm point-and-shoot):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... id=4592693
Sequence Shot #3 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Vivitar® 35mm point-and-shoot):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... id=4592694
Sequence Shot #4 My Dad (RCJ I) took (Vivitar® 35mm point-and-shoot):
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!
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:
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!
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:
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! 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: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4610737
I (RLJ II) took (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.), 2-10-2002:
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:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5631440
I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm SL.R.):
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: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385899
I (RLJ II) took (Canon® 35mm) this of our train preparing to depart from Hearst, 2-21-2005:
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: 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.): http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5385895
Sequence shot #2 I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showP ... d=5385896
Sequence shot #3 I (RLJ II) photographed (Canon® 35mm S.L.R.):
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