Re: @Kurt Moose, I too like the post for info. Sad times for many. Too much of this happening over the years. Is there a "National Economic Doctor" in the house?
Although the facility had been modernized, was any effort made to diversify the product offerings? The milk and juices I buy are all now packaged in some form of plastic containers.
In the case of the Canton mill's owner, Pactiv Evergreen, I think they are exiting the business because of the competition from plastics exactly as you describe. A few years ago, they shut down a paper machine at their Pine Bluff (AR) Mill that made milk carton stock, leaving the Canton, NC mill as their sole producer. Now it too is gone. Most of the major pulp and paper companies have quit diversification efforts in favor of concentrating on fewer, specific markets like linerboard (corrugated), uncoated free sheet (aka Xerographic, business papers), fluff pulp (diapers), coated groundwood (magazine papers), etc.. Canton's closure fits the industry strategy to either be a significant player in a segment or to quit it. A paper machine can be rebuilt to produce different product, but it's a very expensive commitment and it seems one that Pactiv Evergreen was unwilling to make.
Hmmm, that lovely bridge shot in the first of @Point353's posts looks like Bellaire, OH, seen with a big dose of special effects in the movie Unstoppable.
That's my favorite! I love the stone arch viaduct. And the train popping out between buildings. One could set up a nice railfanning spot on the roof of the building with the white upper floor.
Love the C&NW shot, banjo signal, smiley face on the nose bell, et al. As a kid I recall seeing banjo signals at Dundee, IL on the (then) lightly used line from Elgin north to Crystal Lake, but never thought to take a photo of one. Smiley faces were a common sight on C&NW power, this one at Barrington, IL from about 1976.
Caught this morning during a downpour was a Warbonnet on NS 15R at Ridgeway, SC. This is a BIG deal arount these parts. I had a really nice spot picked out and the light was pretty good .... until 15R was delayed, the rains came and I had to settle for this grab shot as I ducked out from my parked car. Dig the 4711's battery box cover, borrowed from another BNSF unit.
The above photo was taken at Friesland, WI, northwest of Milwaukee, on a line that ran through Rochester and Mankato MN, then Pierre SD and ended at Rapid City.
