Saw log loading at Middleton and S Maitland

[Chuck Conway]

Hello again fellows,

Here's some more questions for you concerning the two views listed below. In the view from Middleton, we can see saw logs being loaded into a CN outside braced boxcar. And looking at the S. Maitland picture, there is a stack of saw logs next to the siding, which appear to be awaiting loading into a car. What will this wood be used for? Paper making? Second, where might it be destined to? And third, why would they use boxcars, when it would seem more efficent to use open cars like gondolas?


http://dardpi.ca/wiki/index.php?title=I ... No._22.jpg
http://dardpi.ca/wiki/index.php?title=I ... d_1956.jpg

Any input greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Chuck

[DARMIDLAND]

Hi,
From what I have been told by the older generation that all pulp wood (wood for paper) was shipped in boxcars.These were the days of inexpensive labour and sidings were everywhere.Alot of the wood was 4ft in length which would be easy to load in a boxcar.Back at this time mills were near rivers (floating logs to mill)or built near the area the trees were growing then the lumber was loaded on trains.
If this was pulp it would be heading to Bowater Mersey Mill Liverpool N.S. via CNR at Middleton.Andrew

[Paul Charland]

Hi All,

Andrew may be right, this may be pulpwood, but I've been thinking about the two photos and the length and diameter of the logs make me wonder if they are fence posts used along the railway right of way, used to hold up page (paige ?) wire... just a guess though.

Paul

[stem]

I'm impressed by the stuff you fellows pick out of the photos! These type of observations about operations add so much colour to the railway!

I have added as a result another operational category here:
http://dardpi.ca/wiki/index.php?title=Pulp_Logs

[Bev Buchanan]

Hello Everyone;
This is my first post so please bare with me.
I worked on the DAR in the 60's and 70's as Station Agent and Operator. At that time I worked in Hantsport and later as Agent in Kennetcook, among many other stations. During this time Minas Basin Pulp and Power received 4ft pulp wood for the "Ground Wood Mill" in Hantsport on Bulkhead Flat cars designed for that purpose. One of the origins was South Maitland.
I feel the idea of the Middleton photo of pulpwood loading into a CN box is probably correctly described as Bowater Mersey traffic.
The linehaul for this load was CN and the DAR would get only a switch to the "team Track" in Middleton thus the CN equipment.
Hope this helps!!
Bev Buchanan

[Chuck Conway]

Hi Bev and DAR'ers,

Welcome to the list and thanks so much for your input! It's always great to have a railroaders point of view to go with what everyone observed trackside.
So from what you and Andrew have noted, there were at least two destinations for these saw logs. Does anyone remember seeing the bulkhead flats Bev describes? I don't recall seeing one in any of MacIntosh's views.
Bev, while I'm thinking of it, could you tell me what if any industries the mixed train in this picture at Kennetcook might have been switching?
http://dardpi.ca/wiki/index.php?title=I ... n_1958.jpg
Or is it more likely he's getting out of the siding after a meet? Any thoughts would be of interest. Thanks again to all for their input. Take care.

Chuck Conway

[Bev Buchanan]

Hi Chuck;
After looking at the pix you fwded, I would suggest this is train 21, mixed freight from Windsor to Truro. It is on the main line (not the siding) just arriving at Kennetcook. The siding is the trackage shown at the left in the picture. As to industries served by the railway at Kennetcook, there were only two during my time as Agent there (1968 - 1970). The south end of the through siding Imperial oil would take tank cars of oil & gas. The other was Russel White's sawmill who shipped high sided gondolas loaded with wood chips to Bowater Mersey in Brooklyn, Queens county NS. The routing on this traffic was DAR Middleton CN. The agent at Kennetcook also controlled traffic to and from South Maitland during my time there. If I remember correctly the only CL traffic there was inbound loads of coal to heat the school in that area.
There were only two trains on the Truro sub. during my time. NO 21 and NO 22. 22 was southbound in the morning and 21 was northbound in the afternoon. I do not remember having a meet during that time.
Have a great day!
Bev

[stem]

Hi Bev!

Welcome to the DARDPI site. I'm loving this conversation you're already having! As discussions break out here I often create corresponding categories and articles on the wiki.

I have created as a result of this conversation a new article on operations for Pulp Chips:
http://dardpi.ca/wiki/index.php?title=Pulp_Wood_Chips

Thanks and keep up the great conversations!