Alcos on the Cartier - Page 1

MLW's on the Cartier

The Last Alco Autumn

Page 1 of 3

This section is divided into three pages to provide quick loading

This section was set up on October 23, 2001.

The Cartier Railway serves the Quebec Cartier Mining Company in far eastern Quebec, hauling ore over 200 miles from the mine to the processing plant at Port Cartier. The railroad has had a roster consisting of diesels built by the Montreal Locomotive Works on designs from the American Locomotive Company, as well as motive power built by Alco itself. In spring 2002 the railroad is expected to take delivery of twelve new locomotives built by General Electric, ending the all-Alco era on the Cartier. In September 2001 I headed to Port Cartier (eight hours east of Quebec City) on what was supposed to be a week-long look at the final autumn of trains hauled solely by big MLW's.

My first day on the Cartier was September 10, 2001. I headed north from Port Cartier to scout out the photo locations along the dirt provincial park road that roughly follows the track into the wilderness. Near Baker siding, about 25 miles north of Port Cartier, I encountered my first train, a southbound with M636 No.82 on the point.

TT3801

The Cartier passes along the north side of Port Cartier, then heads for the waterfront east of town. Just east of Port Cartier, the Route 138 overpass makes for a good photo location.

TT3802

The Cartier is only running a couple of trains a day, and with the current pattern there's a mid-day lull. During the lull we check out the railroad's shop at Port Cartier (thanks to a friendly employee) where the Alco/MLW fleet has been kept in top-notch shape.

TT3803

The afternoon train heads out of Port Cartier, and we're on the Route 138 overpass to catch it on its northward trek. M636 No.71 and two sisters are revving up for the long trip.

TT3804

On the north side of Port Cartier the train approaches the Airport Road crossing, the MLW's chugging away as they accelerate.

TT3805

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