Comments on: One of those places nobody visits. Well, almost nobody. I posted a shot from here once before, however this more head on image has a little more detail. Smooth Rock was where the Mattagami Railroad used to connect with the ONR. It was a 3 mile line that serviced the Abitibi operations in Smooth Rock Falls. All of that operation, including the railroad, is now history. In this image, eastbound VIA 6760 with two cars has stopped at the Smooth Rock “station” (blue building) and a couple of passengers are boarding. Lets presume they are going into Cochrane and might transfer to the Ontario Northlander which is the connection to Toronto. (Both this train and the Northlander no longer operate.) In the scene on the right is the railroad’s “office”. The track on the right a connection to the Mattagami. On the left is a section shack with Fairmont motor (built 1976) out front, and my Sidekick of the day taking backup photos in case of any problems. After all, this is not particularly a place I wanted to visit very often. The evening mosquitos were ferocious, to put it mildly. And this was at sundown.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:02:58 +0000

Thanks for the comments, guys. I especially like to hear from those who can relate to such a scene personally (tspurr) as I am sure it brings back some memories, good or otherwise. )

By: Ian Malenfant-Picard

Ian Malenfant-Picard — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 03:04:36 +0000

She’s a beauty! This scene must have been worth the trip!

By: tspurr

tspurr — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 01:04:26 +0000

Beautiful photo! This train is surely the Kapuskasing-Toronto “Northland” which I rode several times as a child. In its final years, it ran with coaches and sleeping cars only between Kap and Cochrane. The southbound would pick up baggage and cafe cars at Cochrane for the rest of the overnight trip.

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 22:07:25 +0000

He was a Smooth Operator in Smooth Rock.

By: rsmith

rsmith — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 21:41:49 +0000

I am truly impressed you convinced a sidekick to go all the way to Smooth Rock with you to photograph trains!

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 16:10:57 +0000

Great shot Arnold! Lots of CN operating departments represented in this photo. Transportation, Engineering Track, Work Equipment, and B&B.