Old Time Trains

Xstrata Copper Canada

Formerly, Kidd Creek div.of Falconbridge Ltd., Kidd Creek Mines Ltd.,
Texas Gulf Canada Inc., Texas Gulf Sulphur Co. Inc.

On April 16th. 1964, as a result of its extensive exploration activities in the Canadian Shield, Texas Gulf announced the discovery of a zinc-copper-silver ore body in Kidd Township, 15 miles north of Timmins, Ontario. It was given the name Kidd Creek Mine. It would require a 16-mile spur to be built from the ONR mainline at Hoyle, where the concentrator was located. Daily, six 18-car trains would be operated over two shifts from the mine to the concentrator using branchline RS23 1000HP diesels built by MLW. Later, in 1976, two full-size GMD GP38-2 road switchers were added.
In addition to the open-pit mine and concentrator, a zinc plant costing over $70 million, was built next to the concentrator and began shipping zinc metal on May 1, 1972. Designed to produce 120,000 tons of zinc metal per year as well as 1,000,000 pounds of cadmium annually. Later, an underground mine, crushing plant and ore-transfer system was added, bringing employment to about 1500.
Late in 1980, the newly expanded mine became Kidd Creek Mines Ltd. a subsidiary of Canada Development Corp. (Government of Canada) subsidiary, as part of an elaborate multi-national restructuring whereby Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine of France acquired control of Texasgulf Metals Co. a unit of Texasgulf Inc. of Stamford, Conn.
December 31, 1985, Kidd Creek Mines Ltd. was acquired by Falconbridge Ltd. for $615 Million, with CDC ending up with 20% of Falconbridge and Kidd Creek's 40% interest in the Allan potash mine operated by Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan.

Late in August 2006 Falconbridge was taken over by Swiss mining giant Xstrata creating Xstrata Copper Canada to run the properties acquired. Unfortunately, major change soon came about as both the copper and zinc operations were closed down May 1, 2010 with the loss of 670 jobs (plus, about 200 contractors) with only 100 jobs remaining.

NREX 1684 ex BNSF 1684 ex ATSF 2299 GP9u EMD 21568 5/1956 Rebuilt ATSF 2/80

Xstrata Copper 055 fresh from overhaul (Feb.12/10) at NRE_Alco in Capreol. ONR Cochrane Mike Robin

Texas Gulf Sulphur, Kidd Creek Mine 051. Brand new, Timmins, July 27, 1966. Frank Vollhardt
One of three RS-23's built new for Texas Gulf Sulphur's operation near Timmins. MLW M3457-01 7/66.
Falconbridge Ltd. Kidd Creek Div. 051, doing what MLW's do best! Kidd, 6-18-91 Frank Vollhardt
Kidd 052 at Kidd, August 21, 1990 D. Boyd/Frank Vollhardt Collection.
Kidd Creek Mines Ltd. 053, Kidd, March 19, 1985 Frank Vollhardt
Texasgulf Canada 054 GP38-2 GMD A3493 10/76 Kidd, 8-15-79 A. Miller/Frank Vollhardt Collection
One of two full-size road switchers added in 1976 to handle increased traffic.
Kidd 054 at Kidd, 8-21-90 D. Boyd/Frank Vollhardt Collection

Unlettered 055 at Kidd, 4-13-88 J. Mc.Neil/Frank Vollhardt Collection

Repainted 055 at ONR Cochrane enroute back to Timmins from repairs. March 2003 Mike Robin
Flanger 100060 acq. 7/66 (ex Genesee & Wyoming) Porter Loco Works. 7-16-66 Frank Vollhardt

Back (Use your browser Back button)

Old Time Trains © 2009 2010 2011

Xstrata Copper Canada

Formerly, Kidd Creek div.of Falconbridge Ltd., Kidd Creek Mines Ltd.,
Texas Gulf Canada Inc., Texas Gulf Sulphur Co. Inc.

On April 16th. 1964, as a result of its extensive exploration activities in the Canadian Shield, Texas Gulf announced the discovery of a zinc-copper-silver ore body in Kidd Township, 15 miles north of Timmins, Ontario. It was given the name Kidd Creek Mine. It would require a 16-mile spur to be built from the ONR mainline at Hoyle, where the concentrator was located. Daily, six 18-car trains would be operated over two shifts from the mine to the concentrator using branchline RS23 1000HP diesels built by MLW. Later, in 1976, two full-size GMD GP38-2 road switchers were added.

In addition to the open-pit mine and concentrator, a zinc plant costing over $70 million, was built next to the concentrator and began shipping zinc metal on May 1, 1972. Designed to produce 120,000 tons of zinc metal per year as well as 1,000,000 pounds of cadmium annually. Later, an underground mine, crushing plant and ore-transfer system was added, bringing employment to about 1500.

Late in 1980, the newly expanded mine became Kidd Creek Mines Ltd. a subsidiary of Canada Development Corp. (Government of Canada) subsidiary, as part of an elaborate multi-national restructuring whereby Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine of France acquired control of Texasgulf Metals Co. a unit of Texasgulf Inc. of Stamford, Conn.

December 31, 1985, Kidd Creek Mines Ltd. was acquired by Falconbridge Ltd. for $615 Million, with CDC ending up with 20% of Falconbridge and Kidd Creek's 40% interest in the Allan potash mine operated by Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan.

Late in August 2006 Falconbridge was taken over by Swiss mining giant Xstrata creating Xstrata Copper Canada to run the properties acquired. Unfortunately, major change soon came about as both the copper and zinc operations were closed down May 1, 2010 with the loss of 670 jobs (plus, about 200 contractors) with only 100 jobs remaining.

NREX 1684 ex BNSF 1684 ex ATSF 2299 GP9u EMD 21568 5/1956 Rebuilt ATSF 2/80

Xstrata Copper 055 fresh from overhaul (Feb.12/10) at NRE_Alco in Capreol. ONR Cochrane Mike Robin

Texas Gulf Sulphur, Kidd Creek Mine 051. Brand new, Timmins, July 27, 1966. Frank Vollhardt

One of three RS-23's built new for Texas Gulf Sulphur's operation near Timmins. MLW M3457-01 7/66.

Falconbridge Ltd. Kidd Creek Div. 051, doing what MLW's do best! Kidd, 6-18-91 Frank Vollhardt

Kidd 052 at Kidd, August 21, 1990 D. Boyd/Frank Vollhardt Collection.

Kidd Creek Mines Ltd. 053, Kidd, March 19, 1985 Frank Vollhardt

Texasgulf Canada 054 GP38-2 GMD A3493 10/76 Kidd, 8-15-79 A. Miller/Frank Vollhardt Collection
One of two full-size road switchers added in 1976 to handle increased traffic.

Kidd 054 at Kidd, 8-21-90 D. Boyd/Frank Vollhardt Collection

Unlettered 055 at Kidd, 4-13-88 J. Mc.Neil/Frank Vollhardt Collection

Repainted 055 at ONR Cochrane enroute back to Timmins from repairs. March 2003 Mike Robin

Flanger 100060 acq. 7/66 (ex Genesee & Wyoming) Porter Loco Works. 7-16-66 Frank Vollhardt