I just took a look at the Proximity Issues rail map of Ontario. I was looking to see if Algoma Central was still around. Did they got bought out by Canadian National or were they always a part of the CN rail system[?]
AC was purchased by Wisconsin Central, which itself became part of the Canadian National CN system.
Funny that two of the major railroads in Wisconsin are “Canadians”… then there’s all those geese too…
-Mark from “Canada South”
Milwaukee, WI
www.fuzzyworld3.com
The Algoma Central was purchased by the Wisconsin Central Feb 1, 1995, and CN bought WC October 9, 2001.
ACR had one of my favorite paint schemes-
http://algomacentral.railfan.net/algoma1.htm
Similar to EL-
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoList.aspx?id=EL
TheAntiGates says Minnesota is the most Canadian State.
They do have a NHL team, and better curlers ! [;)]
But how do they pronounce “about”?
In the northern 2/3 of Minnesota, it’s pronounced “uh-boot”, don’t cha know.[;)]
The Algoma still has a fleet of Great Lakes vessels, sailing under the Algoma Central stack colours.
Does anyone know if CN is operating these vessels in addition to the U.S. Steel great lakes fleet?
The “Tin Stackers” still operate under their old Colours. Although they are owned by CN.
Its pronounced aboot… you heathan.
Kurt
This website says the parent company sold the railway to WC and has bought more ships.
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ca~hf1.html#acm
Wasn’t the slogan of the Central “The route of the Black Bear.”
No,no,no. Canada WANTS to be Minnesotan.
YA FOR SHURE!
MAX - YOU’RE CRAZY!!!
Doghouse - Yes, I do believe it was something like that, and they did have a black bear on their shield.
This is another of those railroads that I only discover after they’re long gone - And I don’t discover that they’re long gone until long after I discover them…
The Algoma Central was definitely long on scenery but it doesn’t look like it was the easiest railroad to operate. No long grades but lots of curves and a fair amount of wilderness along the way. It was probably a smaller version of the British Columbia Railway.
Doghouse: you’re right about the slogan.
I saw some old, broken down AC passenger coaches sitting in NW Iowa a couple years back. How long ago was it that they ran passenger trains?
Good news-
CN is still operating the passenger trains on the former ACR
http://www.algomacentralrailway.com/
Just a note. U of Wisconsin men’s and women’s hockey teams each won the NCAA championships this spring.[:)]
AC livery sort of reminds me of Erie Lackawana.
Is AC still running; track still there? Back in 70s I dreamed of riding the AC but didn’t have enough money to get out that way.
Ahh, the Algoma Central. WC was very classy when they bought them. The F units were put on the passenger trains, and it was still the Algoma Central pretty much. CN came, bye bye F Units. I agree, what a paintscheme they had, nice colors. I mean, where can you go wrong with maroon?
Alec
Did the AC have any route miles in Maine?
Well, sort of… CN still runs the ACR operations, though not quite the same as days gone by, but you’ve still got your chance.
No, it pretty much went straight north from Sault Ste. Marie. Only connection between AC and Maine is MMA’s owner (?), Ed Burkhardt.
Not that I know of. They run from Saute Ste Marie to Hearst. Mostly flag stops. They do run a spectacular day excursion trip to Agawa Canyon. They drop cars off in the canyon and the train coming down from Hearst picks them up in the afternoon and brings them back to Saute Ste Marie. Spectacular trip and a great way to see the railroad. Was strange stopping in the middle of the forest and seeing a group of hunters get off and head down a foot path. What a way to run a railroad!
I remember an article in Railfan and Railroad 10 years ago about AC’s last F-Units, and with the exception of LTV Steel, defunct since 2001, AC must have been the last operator to run F-Units in scheduled freight service. Oftenly the F-Units weren’t alone as they were mixed with Geeps, but 10 years ago it was still possible to see an F-Unit heading a freight.
The author of the article was then remembering the same F-Units (wearing Soo Line’s paintscheme) at the same location when he was a youngster.
Dominique