Hi , I am a locomotive engineer for Grand Trunk (CN) in Port Huron Michigan and there have been these CP Trains #503 westbound and #504 eastbound running daily between Port Huron and Battle Creek . I was wondering if there would be more trains in the future , it creates more work for us and more job security if you know what I mean . Anyone know if there will be more ? Thanks .
Hello Dave, Welcome to Trainboard That brings back memories for me, I had to get off the train at Port Huron, to got to the immigration cabin to fill out some immigration papers when we were travelling from Toronto to Flint, Mi. in 1985. The conductor told the engineer on his radio that we were ready to go when we were still some yards from the train, and I had to climb aboard after the train had started to move The first US locomotive I ever saw was a GP9 switching at Port Huron I assume these CP trains run through the tunnel from Sarnia, and points beyond? Perhaps Toronto? ------------------ Alan Curtis. Moderator. Member #12 The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.alancurtismodels.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
Hi Alan , I know these trains are going to Toronto from Sarnia . Actually the CP crews are handling these trains over CN's Strathroy Sub . I have had to pilot a CP engineer through the tunnel at Port Huron . As of now there are 2 trains a day like I mentioned earlier . I never been through the old one , I was working as a switchman in the Flint Yard when the old tunnel was still in operation . Now I go through the new tunnel just about everyday . [This message has been edited by Davecn5623 (edited 30 January 2001).]
Best place to get good reliable gossip is from two magazines, the american one...Trains...and the Canadian one Branchline. Seems to me that it has been announced that CN and CP want to do more joint running. BUT, will this be affected by a CP sell off, as has been hinted at. Personally I don't think so, because out west in British Columbia, as you are aware there is directional running in the Fraser Canyon. All east bound on one side, west bound on the other, rather than CN on CN track, etc. For them to break this off would be disasterous to grain delivery. They have both had court cases against them by grain farmers for untimely delivery of goods. CN has committed to a speedier delivery so they will be looking at whatever they need to, to reduce time, to compete better against trucking. They are bragging about reducing haulage time from east to west by one day. So I can't see them going back to old ways. And they are doing something stupid out here, and if you get lucky they will do it out there. They are removing every other siding, where there is joint running with CP. They figure this will reduce costs, this sounds great until they have a major washout, then I think administrative heads will roll, although apparently this idea has been foisted on management by the President, who's philosophy is my way or the door way.
For a while now CP hasn't been pleased with the way CSXT moved the CP #500 trains running from Montreal to Chicago/Minneapolis via the Detroit River Tunnel -CR- to Delray and then CSXT to Chicago via Grand Rapids- as a result CP has struck up a deal with the CN to operate (I think) 2 trains each way from Sarnia/Port Huron to Chicago via ex GTW. In the past, CP has talked to CR about running those trains ex NYC Detroit-Porter but nothing ever came of it except this past summer 1 test train was operated but didn't fare too well. Currently, CR/CSXT/CP/MDOT are working on a connection track off the CR (ex NYC) Michigan Line up to the CSXT main that would avoid the Delray & Rougemere bottleneck. This connection (CP-LOU) is to be in service sometime this coming March.
CP has built a connecting track at Komoka diamond to facilitate trains being operated out of London over the CN to Sarnia. They are in the process of training crews on the route and as soon as the Collective Agreement issues (read pay) are straight there is expected to be another 2-5 trains a day going over that route. Not sure if the current re-routes over the CN from Toronto to Sarnia will continue or if they will be moved to CP tracks Toronto to London then onto CN to Sarnia and points beyond.
Thats what I was wondering Wyldkat Right now I do know that the 2 CP Trains that are being ran are being handled by CP crews on the CN main-line in Canada , but when they get to Michigan , us GT employees are operating these CP Trains . I just heard that there was going to be more , hopefully in the near future , thanks for you input .
