Ottawa Valley operations

[MikeCDN]

Sorry to do this,

However, has anyone heard anything else as to the future of the OVR lately?

I'm really intrested in this section of track.

M

[Ken V]

I haven't heard/seen anything new on the fate of the OVR in quite a while. CPR does have six months (from last April) to consider any offers from potential new operators so we may find out something in the next month or so.

[Ken V]

Surprise! Surprise! Rail America has reached a five-year agreement with Canadian Pacific for continued operation of the northern portion of the Ottawa Valley line between Sudbury and Mattawa/Temiscaming. Rail America made the announcement October 4th.

So far, there's no news on the fate of the southern part of the line to Smiths Falls,

[MikeCDN]

Thanks for the update.

I wish there was at least a tour train that ran on the line. It goes through some beautiful territory and would be amazing to see from the a train.

Has anyone out there ever riden or worked on this line between Smith Falls and North Bay or anywhere else on the OVR?

I'd love to hear your stories or see pictures.

Thank you in advance,

M.

[Montrealrail]

I don't know if this line was passing by Merrickville,this line have been demanteled..
I'm not sure if it was a part of the OVR railway,but it a kind of thing to see..

a very old disaffected railway bridge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epJVMRFYCmo

[Ken V]

The OVR is still intact and has not been dismantled. The bridge in the video is on the abandoned portion of CN's Smiths Falls Subdivision which ran between Ottawa and Napanee (west of Kingston) This was formerly part of the Canadian Northern Railway's Ottawa-Toronto mainline. More information and photos from this can be found at http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ances ... sfalls.htm.

The rail line through Merrickville ON is Canadian Pacific's Winchester Sub which is very much alive.

[Ken V]

In other news, it's been reported by the Pembroke Daily Observer that the CPR has been unable to find a satisfactory buyer for the portion of the Ottawa Valley route between Smiths Falls and Petawawa and will offer this to the various levels of government before tearing it up. CP is still in negotiations with a prospective purchaser for the remainder of the line from Petawawa to Mattawa.

[stuart_iowa]

OVR is gone, CPR could not find a buyer and the line is slated for removal, the local counties Lanark and Renfrew counties are looking to purchase the line but no firm money is being discussed or funned as of yet. Line is snowed over and no traffic on the line in months

[MikeCDN]

Anymore news of this?

Have the tracks been removed? I wonder if CN will reconsider re-laying tracks on it's right-of-way now that business is booming.

Mike

[stuart_iowa]

Tracks have started to be pulled between Pembroke and Petawawa, first 25 miles of steel is to be pulled and the rest to be done next year
last trains thru the valley are soon as work trains pull the track up

[labaienordique]

Two thirds of the 34.7 miles of CP track between Renfrew and Pembroke will be lifted no later than next week (August 1st, 2011).

http://www.facebook.com/notes/eco-expo- ... 4525751970

[labaienordique]

Fighting to preserve the rails
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/Fi ... story.html

Last week, Canadian Pacific Railway began the process of taking up their rails that run through the Ottawa Valley.

They started removing rails between Renfrew and Pembroke and intend to continue with this action this year and next, until all rails have been removed between Smiths Falls and Mattawa. This section will never be replaced.

Such is not the case for the local Canadian National rail line. Fortunately for the Ottawa Valley including the Pontiac, Renfrew County and the City of Ottawa, a dedicated group of volunteers, comprised of business leaders, municipal representatives from Pembroke, Whitewater, Laurentian Valley, Portage-du-Fort, Litchfield, Clarendon, Campbell's Bay, Bristol, and Ottawa, have been working on acquiring the CN line known as the Beachburg sub.

This group incorporated as Transport Pontiac-Renfrew (TPR), has a very detailed business plan and has recruited experienced and highly qualified staff committed to joining the business. TPR has enjoyed the co-operation of CN since the beginning of this process. TPR is incorporated as a not-for-profit business and plans to begin freight operation in early 2012, followed by tourism rail service and commuter service soon thereafter.

The line travels from Ottawa, through the Pontiac, into Renfrew County and on to Pembroke. It is also hoped that the link to Mattawa can be preserved, in order to maintain Canada's cross country line and to preserve national security through the vital service to base Petawawa. Right now, CP plans to remove this link next year and few objections have been voiced despite there being considerable shipper demand for freight service on the line.

It is important to recognize the vision of people who have had the foresight to save this vital part of our heritage and the very valid tool for economic development and employment in the area.

It is interesting to note, as well, that rail transport is an important and key feature for a green future for our children and grandchildren.

If you interested in more information regarding TPR, visit our website at www.transportpontiacrenfrew.ca, or phone 1.800.665.5217.

Harry Gow Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, Quebec

[glenfieldwestern]

It is sad to see the posts that the cp rail removal has begun. I am curious if the reluctance of federal intervention might have something to do with plans for eventually extending the 417 highway through the valley to the west. For over 25 years one of the exciting things about traveling through the valley was the railway scenery and the thrill of catching sight of a passing train.

[stuart_iowa]

Tracks are now removed from just west of Cobden Ontario to Renfrew Ontario.

The cwr is all gone by rail now to the west for relaying. Ties are being sorted all over the place to be trucked down the ROW to avoid the need for highway premits and such.
Last train across the Bonnechere River bridge just west of Renfrew was on Saturday 17 September 2011 around 1350 hrs local time. I recorded the images for myself and for the engineer who I made friends as I watched him drive the locomotive for the final trip as they pulled the rails up.
I have pictures on my facebook page
search for stuart warren gghg1at hotmail.com

[glenfieldwestern]

Stuart thanks for sharing your photos. The shots of the bearing repair on the cwr removal car were interesting. Did the road crossing rails come out also or did they leave those for later removal?