posted
I thought I posted this before but cannot find it:
Has anyone heard anything about the Maple Leaf being in danger? I saw some posting somewhere that said whoever maintains the bridge by Niagara Falls (Canadian freight line I think) didn't want the property any more. I wonder if this is true or just some Internet rumor?
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
CN plans to discontinue a short section of their Grimsby Subdivision at Niagara Falls which is the track across the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge used by the Maple Leaf. (This has been posted on CN's web site)
The bridge is owned by the Bridge Commission and they want CN to maintain the track. CN rarely uses the bridge now and routes all their freight traffic over the bridge at Fort Erie/Buffalo.
It would be at least a year before the line could be abandoned and it must also be offered For Sale to others.
There is another route available to the Maple Leaf: CN’s freight route, the Stamford Subdivision from Clifton (actually in Niagara Falls) to the International Bridge at Fort Erie then into Buffalo at Black Rock. This is the bridge once used by Amtrak’s trains to Detroit and the Conrail/TH&B/CP Dayliner to Toronto.
The Maple Leaf could continue to stop at Niagara Falls, Ontario by backing into or out of the current VIA Station from Clifton but there would be no Maple Leaf on the US side from Niagara Falls, NY to Buffalo.
(Perhaps Amtrak and VIA will just cancel the through service and require a taxi transfer between stations at Niagara Falls, Ont & NY. It's about a mile)
Posts: 239 | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
I don't understand what you mean when you say "there would be no Maple Leaf on the US side from Niagara Falls to Buffalo." Would the Maple Leaf be able to continue toward Albany and NYC east of Buffalo?
People are apparently afraid that Amtrak will cancel the through service, esp if Amtrak has to pay the freight line through the nose to use the other bridge. Instead Amtrak might simply end the train in Niagara Falls--i.e., no Maple Leaf.
The problem with taxi service is that there is apparently no guarantee they will matching up the trains. To wit: You now have to stay overnight if you want to go from Port Huron Michigan to Sarnia and catch the train there. There is no matchup of schedules. Of course, staying in Niagara Falls over night is not the worst thing in the world, but it still would add time and expense to the trip.
I believe the ferry from Rochester, NY, to Toronto isn't running any more either; they never seem able to make a go of it. Plus, the ferry is not near the train station in Rochester; one must take a taxi. Plus, one would probably have to stay overnight in Rochester to ensure catching the ferry, if it ever starts up again. And anyway, it would only be seasonal.
Alternative is to go to Montreal and then catch VIA Rail to Toronto but again, that means spending a night in Montreal. Not a hardship, except on the pocketbook. . . .
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:Originally posted by sojourner: I don't understand what you mean when you say "there would be no Maple Leaf on the US side from Niagara Falls to Buffalo." Would the Maple Leaf be able to continue toward Albany and NYC east of Buffalo?
In the scenario I presented above, the Maple Leaf would be rerouted on the Canadian side between Niagara Falls, Ontario and Buffalo NY. So there would be no Maple Leaf equipment availabe on the US side to run between Niagara Falls, NY and Buffalo. (Unless a connecting train was run) Once the Maple Leaf reached Buffalo it would just assume it’s usual route on to Albany and New York City.
Posts: 239 | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
Well, if your scenario is all they do, that is fine with me! There are other trains each day that run to (and turn around in) Niagara Falls, NY.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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