Well things are looking up for the E&N Railway. Two Southern Railway of BC GP9 locomotives, numbers 110 and 119 are on the shop tracks at Wellcox in Nanaimo, they came over on the barge this morning. The SRY is supposed to take over operations July 1st. I have to say the MRL/SRY paint scheme looks much better on the island than the Rail America red white and blue. Just 2 units for now, once traffic picks up more locomotives will be sent over. Photo by Bob Winkler.
This is very good news. From everything I know and have seen of those related companies, they do an solid job of running their operations. I hope the future has now brightened significantly! :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: Boxcab E50
Dave Wheatcroft caught the SVI Rail Link on their first freight run(3rd day of operations). Here they are at Koksilah, just south of Duncan switching Top Shelf Feeds. The RailAmerica units are apparently still sitting at Wellcox, rumor is SRY is considering purchasing them.
Looks like the line is a little weedy. Time for a little spraying? How much work does the rest of the line require? :sad: Boxcab E50
The entire railway, except for the tracks belonging to the Alberni Pacific Railway is in the same condition. SRY is planning to cut/spray the ROW as the authorities are threatening to shut the E&N down if things do not improve. Currently because of the thick vegetation there are many 5 MPH slow orders up and down the line.
I hope those "authorities" will give SRY a few minutes. In order to get oriented, and organized! :sad: Boxcab E50
This kinda' reminds me of the Seattle & North Coast RR when they took over the Milwaukee Road's former Port Townsend to Port Angeles line. Hope this outcome turns out better!!
In a nebulous way, I can see what you're saying. SNCT people at the very top, weren't appropraitely skilled, didn't have the financial abilities, didn't have a realistic business plan. The WashCorp folks may be the very best possibilty, to make it really happen. Too bad they couldn't have been in there first. So side effects of RA weren't being suffered. And, be glad it's not Watco. Or, next week, they'd already be lifting those rails! Boxcab E50
OK. That's what I was wondering. Any progress on the weed control work, etc? Signs that the new operators are gearing up for some improvements? Boxcab E50
Apparently one RDC, probably 6133, was dropped at Stockett Junction for pick up by the freight. It's apparently going over to the mainland for some work.
Most of the maintenace is done by Herzog in Victoria, the 33 is probably going in for a rebuild, possibly Industrial Rail Services in Moncton or SRY in New West.
Moncton? Meaning back to New Brunswick? Seems like that would be a long trek. If you find out more, I'm curious! Boxcab E50
That's where the other 2 went for their rebuilds. BTW apparently 6148 suffered an engine fire yesterday, they are down to one operational car again.
Is one car sufficient for present passenger numbers? Can they "borrow" something off the mainland? Such as an ex-BCR unit from CN? Boxcab E50
