Canadian Pacific in Western Maine: still running?

[Papa Bear]

When I hiked the AT 100 Mile Wilderness in 2004, we crossed the tracks of the Canadian Pacific and I recall there was one train a day. I also read somewhere (?) that a passanger/tourist service was being started along this line between Quebec and New Brunswick with a major stop in Greenville.

Anyone know does this line still run? Much traffic? Anything ever happen with that passenger service proposal?

Here's a piece of it where it nears the border: http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=45.52308&lon=-70.66726&datum=nad83&u=6&layer=DRG&size=l&s=100

 

[Fitz]

Was still running in May this Year

I was just north of the CP Line in May this year and the train came-a rumblin' through.

 

[Stan]

The AT crosses the line just north of Monson. Mike, the owner of the Spring Creek BBQ Emporium in Monson told me there was a marker along the tracks near there that marks the geographic center of the state. Being fond of maps I plotted the geographic center of the state and found it to be south of that general area. I concluded that it must mark the middle of the line across the state. Just what I need, an excuse to go find that marker, a side trip to Borestone Mountain and wrap up with a BBQ dinner.

Speaking of food, there once was a very good Italian Retaurant ouside of Greenville Junction on the road to Rockwood. Several years ago the owner retired and when I went back to see if anything had replaced it, I found the building nicely refurbished as a restaurant but with a sign stating that it was open only when the passenger train stopped in Greenville ... a rather limited market ... and sure enough, next time I went back it had been refurbished as a private residence.

I'm not aware that any passenger trains pass through Greenville anymore unless they are charters. I believe it was once on the route of the Canadian National Railway from Halifax to Montreal and on to the West Coast. However, there is still frequent freight service through the area so be careful crossing the tracks! And, expect a couple rumbles in the night if you're staying at the Wilson Valley lean-to.

I'd bet on passenger service in our generation if the Plum Creek resorts get built and the ski area (formerly Squaw Mountain, now Moose Mountain) is restored, especially if oil goes up to hundred dollar barrels.

 

[Quietman]

I was currious about this and after a lot of dead ends, I found this

The Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway

And this
The Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway Map

No passenger service.

 

[RoySwkr]

One unusual thing about this track is that it's actually listed in several hiking guides as part of the preferred hiking route to Sally Mtn. In most states, even venturing onto the edge of the ROW to take train photos will draw a hefty fine, but here you're actually encouraged to walk across a RR bridge.

This is such fast walking we went past the trail turnoff the first time.

 

[Papa Bear]

Actually, I was thinking of using the right-of-way to get from some logging roads over to the Canadian border and to some nearby peaks (like Lowell).

Anyone ever been to the RR border crossing? Is there a customs station there for the trains? Do they do the customs business in Megantic (Quebec) or Jackman instead? What about customs when they ran passenger service in years past?

Thanks

 

[Stan]

Another unique feature is the trestle over the outlet from Lake Onawa. It is the longest trestle east of the Mississippi River at 1200 ft. and 130 ft. above the stream. You can't drive to it from the north but it is a good exercise in navigation to find the best point to hike to it from the roads off Elliotsville Road.

Here is a link to an interesting website with some photos of the trestle.

Mike McCormack's website

 

[peakbagger]

I always wonder if any AT south bounders get caught unawares staying at the shelter just north of the AT crossing. The CP roars throuhg this area and the sound of it on a clear night carries for miles. For someone not expecting the midnight "concert" it must be an eye opener!

 

[RoySwkr]

What about customs when they ran passenger service in years past?

When I took the train from Boston to Toronto years ago, customs people rode the train partway and questioned passengers while it was moving - sort of like spy movies. Hard to imagine it stopped at the border near Lowelltown for very long.

 

[Mac]

Train

Years (eons) ago, I participated in a ski package that went from Truro, Nova Scotia to Greenville, Maine on the passenger train service that then operated on the line.

It was cobbled together by a fella named Raff Henderson, who I think was originally from northern Maine, but was running a rec program in northern Nova Scotia and convinced a bunch of us to join him on this expedition.

From what I (vaguely) remember , we had 3 days of powdah and one day of wet weather. It was well worth it, for both the skiing and the partying.

It surely would be nice if the new development would allow for this type of trip to occur once again. Having just spent a week skiing in Maine (and driving back to Nova Scotia), a train trip sounds just right to me.

 

[jjmcgo]

Passenger service ended in 1994

The Canadian Pacific's Atlantic Limited ran from Montreal to St. John's, N.B., from 1955-1978, when Via Canada became the national railroad and took over the route. VIA Canada extended the route to Halifax in 1979.
The line was eliminated amidst controversy in 1981 and Brian Mulroney promised to reinstate it if elected in 1984. It proved the difference in his election and the line was restored in 1985. It was cut back to 3 days a week in 1989 as was the roundabout Ocean line.
For a time, the route ran from Minneapolis into Canada at Sault Ste. Marie and then across Canada and Maine to Halifax.
All passenger service was discontinued on this line in 1994. VIA Canada now goes Montreal to Halifax six days a week via Rimouski, Bathhurst, Moncton, Amherst and Truro, the Ocean line.
In other words, all over hell and 150 miles longer than cutting across Maine. Powerful Liberal politicians kept the Ocean line going through their ridings while the Maine route had no powerful supporters.