First of the out-of-service rails to be resurrected
Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 4:19 pm
IT's ALIVE! The Barron Subdivision, that is. This line runs from Poskin, WI
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Poskin,+ ... n&t=m&z=15
to Ladysmith. The portions from Poskin to the west side of Barron, and the east side of Cameron to the junction at Ladysmith had been out of service since 2003 or 2004. Most observers fully expected the line to become an ATV trail within the next few years. The establishment of a frac sand mine at Poskin (and perhaps eventually others in the area) changed all that quick! CN really wanted the business so bad that they went through and replaced the rusty, weedy stick rail from Soo Line days with 115# welded rail, as well as completely replacing the ties and ballast, upgraded many bridges, and even installed at least one defect detector!
Here is a video posted by a local railfan of the first revenue (non-MoW) train on the line, which ran today:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Poskin,+ ... n&t=m&z=15
to Ladysmith. The portions from Poskin to the west side of Barron, and the east side of Cameron to the junction at Ladysmith had been out of service since 2003 or 2004. Most observers fully expected the line to become an ATV trail within the next few years. The establishment of a frac sand mine at Poskin (and perhaps eventually others in the area) changed all that quick! CN really wanted the business so bad that they went through and replaced the rusty, weedy stick rail from Soo Line days with 115# welded rail, as well as completely replacing the ties and ballast, upgraded many bridges, and even installed at least one defect detector!
Here is a video posted by a local railfan of the first revenue (non-MoW) train on the line, which ran today:
