Sault Ste. Marie

[Blutorse4792]

What happens with the Canadian National & Canadian Pacific at Sault Sainte Marie?

(Left is Canadian Pacific, Right is Canadian National)

Looking at the maps of both railroads, Canadian Pacific still has a line coming in there from the Canadian side. However, their tracks on the U.S. side (the original Soo Line) are now owned by Canadian National after their acquisition of the Wisconsin Central. Do the two railroads physically meet there, or do they now terminate on opposite sides of St. Mary's River?

 

[kws4000]

What happens with the Canadian National & Canadian Pacific at Sault Sainte Marie?

Looking at the maps of both railroads, Canadian Pacific still has a line coming in there from the Canadian side. However, their tracks on the U.S. side (the original Soo Line) are now owned by Canadian National after their acquisition of the Wisconsin Central. Do the two railroads physically meet there, or do they now terminate on opposite sides of St. Mary's River?

A quick look at Bing Maps shows 2 bridges across the river. 1 is road, the other rail. My quick assumption: they connect.

 

[opus722]

The CN map isn't showing the former Algoma Central line that goes from Sault Ste. Marie to Hearst, ON. The CP intersects that line somewhere out in the boonies of northern Ontario. Someone more familiar with the area can probably elaborate on this.

 

[mhicaso]

The CPR no longer runs to Sault Sainte Marie, they leased the line to the Huron Central Railway in 1997. They run from Sudbury to the Sault, where they connect with CN's former Algoma Central. The CPR interchanges with the former Algoma Central at a location called Franz. I worked this line out of Chapleau for a couple of years, we would normally interchange about 20 cars a day. The Huron Central railway has had trouble making enough money to maintain the line in the last decade, so they have been talking about giving up the line. If that happens CP has already said they will file for abandonment, and transfer any remaining traffic to CN at Franz to take to the Sault.

 

[Blutorse4792]

Interesting. Thanks for the info, mhicaso (and all who replied).

Hopefully the Huron Central can hold out. Hate to see lines go under.

 

[RoysTrainz]

Interesting topic. Maybe one could create this to keep the line alive on trainz.
It will take some 8 more years before I reach the eastcoast not even talking about all branch lines and fallen flags to revive. Nice hobby never a dull moment.

Roy