CMQ Operations

Has CMQ run to Newport VT since they took over? Reports on
the VRS Yahoo Group seem to indicate that interchange traffic
between CMQ and WACR has been close to non-existant. Said
traffic was way down also during the latter days of the MMA.

Dick,
Yes, they have been running, although they are still officially being operated by MMA (until Fortress closes on the MMA Canadian assets). Train on both the MMA Newport Sub train and WACR continue to be short, as there continues to be very little interchange (as has been the case since the Lac Megantic disaster). Yesterday's MMA 710 had six cars, including at least two empty boxcars for the WACR. Today's WACR northbound had only three cars, two of which were bound for online customers (not sure about the third). There's been very little traffic from Lac-Megantic going south on the WACR.
Cheers,
Fritz

P.S. I meant to mention that yesterday's MMA (CMQ) Newport Sub train was led by B23-7 2002 in Santa Fe blue and gold. Interestingly, all the MMA markings have been removed (the six ex-ATSF B23s were included in the sale to Fortress I believe).
Best,
Fritz

Has a date been set as to when the CMQ is to assume the Canadian operations? Are they running any through trains between Montreal and Brownville jct. or is limited to operations within the State of Maine?

On or after June 1st.

Nothing has moved across the border yet...

Its now June 13th has CMQ signed agreements with Canadian or Quebec authorites yet? The transaction was supposed to happen on the 1st. Also, is CMQ operating with those new lease locomotives or still using MMA's
junkers?

A mix of both. They're still using some of the ex-MMA B23-7s. More info in the CMQ Motive Power thread.

When did they change the rules about American crews not being able to work in Canada? When CDAC was in operation Maine crews often ran all the way to Sherbrooke.
I even saw a crew change at Scotstown. Both places are way over the border.
Also, what does the Steelworkers Union have to do with train crews?

As of Monday CMQ is fully integrated both in the US and Canadian side. I would expect track work to begin by a contractor fairly soon in Canada.

mkittredge wrote:When did they change the rules about American crews not being able to work in Canada? When CDAC was in operation Maine crews often ran all the way to Sherbrooke.
I even saw a crew change at Scotstown. Both places are way over the border.
Also, what does the Steelworkers Union have to do with train crews?

For a two year period, from 1994 to 1996, CP crews ran from St. Luc to Sherbrooke and handed their trains over to crews working out of Brownville Jct. Once CDAC took over out of Farnham they went back to Megantic as the crew change point.

As for your question about the Steelworkers Union, that is the union the running trade employees at MMA in Canada chose to represent them.

There was an article that a CWR train is coming to the Canadian side and that 25,000 ties have been ordered. There is a rush to get ready for the coming winter season, and try to eliminate slow orders before then.

gpp111 wrote:There was an article that a CWR train is coming to the Canadian side and that 25,000 ties have been ordered. There is a rush to get ready for the coming winter season, and try to eliminate slow orders before then.

Could you provide the link(s) please.

It was in the last Atlantic Northeast Rails & Ports, which requires a subscription.

Here's a similar article found in today's WSJ (which may also require subscription to access):

http://online.wsj.com/articles/after-le ... TopStories

What is CMQ running for trains since integrating the whole system? Are they running an east and westbound daily?