Good News and Bad News

[SamuelMClark]

Well lets start off with Good News, I'm now officially married have been since the 21st September. Margaret & I went to Montreal for our honeymoon and yes we went to Expo Rail. Continuing the good news they had couple of Intercolonial Railway cars that were built in Nova Scotia plus they had Sydney & Louisburg Baggage Car #4 there as well. DAR related they have the old DAR (CP) Engine 8139 there in its new form RPRX Engine 2003.

Now for the sad news, DAR (CP) Engine 999 is now in building 6 which is their off limits building for visitors as it's the building where engines and rolling stock go to be kept out of the weather and if they get the money to fix them back up again. So until they are able to get the money Engine 999 will not be seen by any rail fan anytime soon. And I couldn't even get in to see it after explaining the importance of the engine too me, and for me stating I'll wave my health and safety rights and would not hold them responsible for any injuries if I did hurt my self. I did try to get a picture of her. I might have seen her though the window in the door of the building but I couldn't be sure as there was a few Steam Engines in there and I couldn't see any of the numbers on them.

Back to good news,

We took The Ocean up to Montreal and back to Halifax. Lots of great views, and found out about some sidings which I wasn't aware of, and that in Oxford Junction they still have a little spur that's part of the Old Oxford Sub that went up to Pugwash looks like it's now just used as a siding for when they need to load MOV and equipment as they spare ties and old rails there. And on the way back to Halifax I got to be one of the passengers to extra training in how to use the emergency equipment to open the doors in case of an emergency! So I've included a photo of the emergency lock. Also found out that the cars used on The Ocean were once meant to be used for the Chunnel Run Between England and France but the rail line over there didn't want the cars any more so VIA bought them and have been using them on The Ocean since 2001/2002 since they got the cars. They have a single car between the last sleeper and the Park car that's basically open inside because it's been converted to have a standard North American coupler on one side and the European coupler on the other side to be used on the train. This is so they can continue to use the Park Car on the end of the train.

[Tedsgrandson]

Congratulations on your wedding!! It looks like you had a nice trip together and it was nice of you to share the "railfan" portion of it with us. I was surprised to see that locomotive 8139 was still in existence; I thought that they had all been scrapped. Thanks again, and I'm hoping that if you get a chance to get back to the Museum in Middleton that you'll post some more pictures. I enjoyed the last ones.

Jim Joyce
Dartmouth, N.S.

[downeastrailfan]

Congratulations Sam! Thanks for the update about 999. If anything, at least it is now out of the elements to diminish any further deterioration.

Jim, have a look at each diesel page. Where possible, we've indicated the sale and/or final disposition. I must do more research and fill in the gaps.

[SamuelMClark]

I don't know how I forgot this bit of good news, but on the way up on the train I was speaking with a passenger who used to work for the Dominion Atlantic (retired back in the early 80s) and he mentioned that his dad also worked for the DAR. I gave him my contact information and the site information in hopes that he'll join and share his memories, photos, and thoughts about the DAR. The gentleman now lives in Ontario (sorry I'm bad with names and forgot his). I found this out while talking as the last time I was on a VIA train in Canada was a RDC from Windsor to Middleton that's when he mentioned he used to work for the DAR.

Also on the way up to Montreal spoke with an older couple who were going to cycle back home to Wolfville, and they were telling me how when the train still ran though the valley they would take it to Halifax then go up to Montreal by train. But now they have to drive to Halifax.

It was great to hear of other people who miss having rail service in Nova Scotia.

[stem]

Thanks for all the news Samuel. Best wishes for many happy years of marriage for you and Margaret.

Great idea Matt to go through the diesels. Sorry I didn't get back to you recently but I've been really busy with a side project for the last 4 weeks.

Saw the news about Herb MacDonald passing on. It's a shame. He was relatively young - just into his seventies. A loss for the NS railway community. I was just getting to know him.