Comments on: It was interesting news this January past when the switcher that worked the pulp and paper company in Iroquois Falls for so many years under Abitibi and eventually Resolute Forest Products, has now returned after a stint in Thorold South, last with Bioveld. Abitibi bought the unit from CN in 1993. Iroquois Falls mill closed in 2014 and the unit was relocated to Thorold. Now, under great fanfare, it has returned to “The Falls” as the resident switcher for the new Abitibi Connex logistics hub, which has taken over the old pulp and paper lands. The 14 mile line from Porquis Jct to Iroquois Falls has been upgraded and now in service. The image I have posted shows the unit back in its earlier days as it comes up to a switch. Note the mass of logs in the background. The loss of the forest products business devastated the community and it is nice to see that life has returned by way of this new logistics company I understand the 1305 sports a brand new attractive paint scheme, making a side trip while in the north this spring a worthwhile adventure.

By: Ian Malenfant-Picard

Ian Malenfant-Picard — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:40:48 +0000

No problem Arnold! You are free to contact me whenever you want!

By: awmooney

awmooney — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 23:16:53 +0000

Okay, thanks for that. I might want to lean on you for information later on as those photos you submit have given me the urge to do some exploring in an area I have neglected for some years. )

By: Ian Malenfant-Picard

Ian Malenfant-Picard — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 22:33:06 +0000

I’m from Rimouski

By: awmooney

awmooney — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:28:16 +0000

Paper Mills are an endangered species, thats for sure. Out of curiosity, your hometown is ????

By: Ian Malenfant-Picard

Ian Malenfant-Picard — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 03:58:53 +0000

Nice picture Arnold, its always sad to see the old paper mills go down. Here they used to make most of our rail traffic with long strings of these nice looking CN, CV and DWP boxcars. Out of the 10 paper mills that used to be served by CN in the area, only 2 remains, and if they both close, that could spell the end for the railway going through my town…