I grew up in Atikokan, Ontario and witnessed a busy area of operations for CN in the 1960's and 70's. Iron ore unit trains from two local mines and grain trains from the prairies were a constant feature in our town. Plus there were general freight trains passing through. Local crew changes, a maintenance facility and extra motive power were typical scenes on a day to day basis.
Fast forward to today, and I have had zero success finding any railfanning photos / articles from CN's operations in Atikokan. Anyone out there that can help? Thanks in advance.
A few of us had a discussion on Atikokan and area in the Trackside Guide Forum, one of them titled "Thunder Bay". It is still there on the main page. There was also at least one other, perhaps titled Atikokan. Using " Search the community" should help.
Atikokan Retro Railfan I grew up in Atikokan, Ontario and witnessed a busy area of operations for CN in the 1960's and 70's. Iron ore unit trains from two local mines and grain trains from the prairies were a constant feature in our town. Plus there were general freight trains passing through. Local crew changes, a maintenance facility and extra motive power were typical scenes on a day to day basis. Fast forward to today, and I have had zero success finding any railfanning photos / articles from CN's operations in Atikokan. Anyone out there that can help? Thanks in advance.
You're not alone on these Forums! There are a few Canadians, that check in around here ! Maybe someone will clue the rest of us on how to pronounce Atikokan ! Also clue us in as to its location....
About halfway between International Falls, MN/Fort Frances and Thunder Bay. Back in my bachelor days, a buddy of mine and I went on a motorcycle joyride during April 1979(?) and rode through there. Still snow piles everywhere...
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
I did a five-month stint with INS as a seasonal inspector in Grand Portage back in 1976. I never made it to Atikokan but it appeared to be the only town of any size between Thunder Bay and Fort Frances. The CN line handled mostly grain traffic into Thunder Bay and hosted a tri-weekly mixed train.
samfp1943 Atikokan Retro Railfan I grew up in Atikokan, Ontario and witnessed a busy area of operations for CN in the 1960's and 70's. Iron ore unit trains from two local mines and grain trains from the prairies were a constant feature in our town. Plus there were general freight trains passing through. Local crew changes, a maintenance facility and extra motive power were typical scenes on a day to day basis. Fast forward to today, and I have had zero success finding any railfanning photos / articles from CN's operations in Atikokan. Anyone out there that can help? Thanks in advance. Atikokan Retro Railfan, Welcome ! You're not alone on these Forums! There are a few Canadians, that check in around here ! Maybe someone will clue the rest of us on how to pronounce Atikokan ! Also clue us in as to its location....
Atikokan Retro Railfan, Welcome !
Johnny
Deggesty-- Thunder Bay was two seperate communities of Port Arthur and Fort William. The name did not exist until 1970 when they amalgamated.
Fort William was CPR territory, Port Arthur was CNR territory but really CPR was the big player.
Atikokan was strictly CNR, former Canadian Northern trackage.
Yes, even an Ignorant Old Man can make an error on geography.
What goes around comes around.
Thank You.
NDG Yes, even an Ignorant Old Man can make an error on geography.
NDG, if an ignorant old man reads that his feelings might be hurt. (You did hurt my feelings.)
I'm not surprised there are very few photographs out there. Most folks from other parts tended to follow the main lines, mostly CP through Ignace and Kenora with perhaps a few excursions up to the CN to the north. Atikokan was perceived as having fewer trains and mostly limited access to the tracks. I have quickly passed through twice only out of a number of drives across Canada (in 1979 and 2015) and saw no trains either time. Perhaps some railfans out of Winnipeg may have made a more serious effort to photograph in the Atikokan area, but in-depth coverage will have largely depended on local railfans, if there were any others in town.
cx500.....in-depth coverage will have largely depended on local railfans, if there were any others in town.
I agree. I guess I'm hoping someone was around back then, taking pictures and notes. For such a small town, Atikokan (A-TEE-COKE-IN) was rich in railroading.
The CN line through the town was the less-used 'southern route' east-west across the Ontario wilderness. Even so, the variety of rail traffic and motive power was impressive. Not to mention, I can recall a few locomotives still adorned in the green & gold in the late 60's/early 70's.
Sure, we are in Canada but flip it around and we become northern Minnesota. Same landscape. Same resources. Iron ore everywhere!
If you Google map it, you will see the spur line that services Steep Rock from Atikokan. It's back in use for a power generating plant, I believe?
Anyway, childhood memories were all coated in a rich red-brown dust. LOL
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