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Caption: The last CSX Train (to date) is reversing across the C&O Drawbridge over the Sydenham River in Wallaceburg complete with it's C&O markings. Not only was this the last CSX Train to Wallaceburg, the C&O Built (Typical of them per Bruce Mercer - cheap cinder block construction) RTC office pictured at left also closed on this day with the line changing to rule 105 territory on the 3'rd. By this time the CSX dispatchers were all consolidated in Jacksonville except for this tiny office, which also housed the Bridgetender's equipment. A clerk would have to come down from Sarnia to operate the bridge, joining the dispatcher for a visit prior to the train's arrival and to ensure the bridge was properly closed and safely secured for trains to pass over. The Region of Chatham-Kent bought the line the next day and has since sold it to a numbered company - the rails are still in place, but it will cost millions to bring the line back to service and 13 years later as I write this, nothing has operated south of Sombra since. The track from Dresden south to Chatham also hasn't seen a train since 2006 and is also still in place. What do you think the future holds for this line? I'd love to see another train and this is NOT the last train to Wallaceburg. Add a comment below to add what you'd like to see happen.
Bonus: Let's go back into the white C&O cinder block Dispatchers office again.RTC asks a train to clear track for the next northbound where they clear mile 43. then this happens Clearance nine
Audio recorded July 15 2005, back when the Sarnia division had about 60-80 employees on the payroll and started 8 to 10 crews per day. Now they have about 6-7 employees and run 1 to 2 crews per day. Sigh.
If you are interested in more recordings, check out This pic at Whitebread and More wallaceburg and you just might find more photos. I've posted more than half of my stuff from this line, but still more to come!
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And to see some video action by my friend Brian Switzer, who was one of the many I dragged out to see this operation before it all ended, check out his youtube channel which itself is old enough to drink! Yay Brian! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyNk9AHjg1N4OrGoR2HBG1WF_BrKePtIY
Very cool capture Stephen! Does CSX still operates the line to Sombra?
If you are asking me… I would love for CPKC and CN to stop being so duopolistic in southern ontario, and let CSX/NS or some regional compete with them. They allow BNSF in MB and BC, they allow CSX and NS to run in Quebec, why is Ontario the place where they feel the need to hoard all of the traffic? CPKC is the one that honestly baffles me the most. Saying they treat most of their mainlines here like like an afterthought would be a MASSIVE understatement. I could easily see CSX run the Hamilton Sub at the minimum. A bit of a ramble here but it’s something I am a bit passionate about
As I am a fan of CSX
Yes Ian, CSX does still have to Sombra in service – but I don’t think they get frequent service, probably a couple times a month. I could be wrong, there’s only a couple customers south of Corunna so service south of Corunna is very very very infrequent now if at all.
5756, it can be easily said the CN-CP purchase of the CASO was their way of getting rid of the american competition, it just took a long time to actually get rid of them. I have heard american companies may have wanted to buy the CASO… at the time CSX didn’t own a route to Buffalo other than through Salamanca (a very long route)
The division of Conrail which was coming by the mid 90′s really negated CSX’s need to run to Buffalo through Canada, and it shows as they basically got out. NS has their kick at the can and ran for far longer than I would have expected, running 10 years longer through Ontario compared to CSX.
The only reason NS still runs to Fort Erie is because CN doesn’t have to do it – it’s NS obligation hence their cost. Saves CN lots of money..
Only the continued mergers of the railways will force any hand competitively and if the KCS merger didn’t force anything, I highly doubt anything else will. It’ll be the next round when the 6 Class 1′s go down to 3 where we will probably consider what’s left… american..
I too hope for a somewhat revival of this line. Wasn’t that long ago, crossing infrastructure and rails were removed at McNaighton street here in Chatham, and the infrastructure poles were recently removed along Grand Ave. (although the tracks and crossing lights on firemrntionrd poles were removed shortly after I moved here in 2016). Opiniionated, i think this line is still profitable, but as we know money rules. Costs to rejuvenate vs. actual customers…its be a big undertaking. But as shortlines have proven here in Ontario, they can turn a profit.