Comments on: Standing at the recently constructed Woodgrove super elevator, 836 is about to pass by with 3 lonely hoppers and approx. 3 times that many loads of jet fuel. This is one of the largest trains of tanks I saw heading out to Cold Lake, a lot of thirsty jets in the next few days. This new elevator now served a large radius of farms, it also brought about the end to many of the elevators located within towns.

By: SD70Dude

SD70Dude — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 21:34:47 +0000

Thanks, I’ll have to go have a look. The trestle maintenance compound at Rochfort Bridge also has some neat old cars, but I think the American crane that used to be based there got scrapped after its boom struck a power line a couple years ago.

There was a plain bearing depressed centre flatcar that sat in a backtrack near Valemount for the longest time, but it disappeared a couple years ago and I suspect it was cut up.

By: bcr_766

bcr_766 — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 21:28:35 +0000

SD70Dude… There is another flat car sitting at Morinville on the Westlock sub which has been sitting there as long as I can remember.

By: Brundle

Brundle — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 20:57:36 +0000

It’s neat that it is still running around after all this time with the same number. Because their work description has changed somewhat, I wonder if they will eventually be renumbered into a different series.

By: SD70Dude

SD70Dude — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 20:43:57 +0000

Basically no grain traffic left on the Coronado and Lac La Biche Subs. Boyle hasn’t gotten cars in many years, and it is rare to see Gibbons or Duagh (Alberta Oats) ship anything directly by rail, though Alberta Oats does load a lot of intermodal containers. All the grain must get trucked to the super elevators at Westlock, Morinville, Star, or various locations on the Vegreville Sub.

When I last drove through the area the rail was still in place as far as Waskateneau, but the crossings are not maintained and the one at Highway 831 has been ripped up and paved over.

There is also an ancient plain bearing flatcar left at the very end of track just east of Waskatenau, RailAmerica must have forgotten it there and CN never noticed it.

By: jknott86

jknott86 — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 18:55:16 +0000

4716 has been elusive. Either long hood forward, stuck in the middle, or no sunshine.

By: Aitch

Aitch — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 18:42:15 +0000

4716 just pulled into Stuart Street yard in Hamilton on the returning 0700 yard job. Certainly not looking as fresh as it did 31 years ago.

By: bcr_766

bcr_766 — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 18:36:40 +0000

I dont even think the elevator takes cars anymore. All the stub is used for now is meets between L556 and L557 sometimes.

By: Brundle

Brundle — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 17:19:02 +0000

It’s hard to believe all this fuel traffic went to trucking. With the expansion of petroleum in the Lloydminster/Cold Lake area over the years, I imagine they must be refining the fuel there instead of shipping from Edmonton. 1990 was the beginning of the end for the Coronado. All 1st generation diesels were in very short supply, all trains looked exactly like this one. Only difference was type of cab, standard or comfort. Rail Link will take over in a few years time. Regardless, the line just kept shrinking. To eventually become a short stub from Kerensky to this super elevator.

By: Jacob Estrin

Jacob Estrin — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 16:16:02 +0000

Back when the 38′s were nice to see, now they’re either repainted, or have horrible E-bell’s.

By: bcr_766

bcr_766 — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 16:00:24 +0000

ITs too bad there wasn’t revenue service at Cold Lake for this line to survive!!