ONR Convention - 2018 @ Kirtland Lake - Saturday

Day 2 of the ONRHT&S convention had us reviewing the morning lineup and trying to determine which trains and locations we could photograph.  Our first train of the day was the southbound train from Englehart to North Bay.  ONR SD75I #2105 was leading a newly repainted SD40-2 #1734.  While some of the group decided to shoot this train at Englehart, Bram Bailey, Mike Robin and I opted to head south to Earlton, where we had previously seen some piles of hay bales.

Southbound train passing by Mini Farm Rd crossing at Earlton. Photo by Ken Stroebel

We chased this train southward, however, he got ahead of us and we watched him beat us to the Hwy 11 crossing at New Liskeard and broke off the chase.

Pacing shot through the farmers fields around Earlton. Photo by Ken Stroebel

We found the ditcher still working at New Liskeard after a brief lunch break at Gillies, however, the sun was mostly behind the clouds and the ditcher would soon be headed back north.

Work train at the New Liskeard station siding. Photo by Ken Stroebel

So it was back to Englehart as we tried to remain one step ahead of the northbound work train.

Work train approximately 1/2 mile east of the Englehart River bridge. Photo by Courtland Saunders

Northbound Work 1733 is captured crossing the Englehart River. Photo by Mike Robin.

ONR 1733 and 1735 at Englehart. Photo by Terry Shwetz.

Catching the work train was our last bit of railfanning for the day, as attendees had an appointment to tour the Museum of Northern History in Kirkland Lake. Located in the former chateau home of successful mine owner Sir Harry Oakes, this museum focuses on Northeastern Ontario including the Kirkland Lake area.  The site’s collection dates from 1907 to the present and includes many objects related to the home as well as mining industry and documents from the area.

Chateau of Sir Harry Oakes

Various mineral and rock specimens; note large scale on top of cabinet

Our evening presentations included a review of mining and smelting operations for Kidd Creek, Rouyn-Noranda, and Sudbury, as well as an overall review and discussion of the geology of the area and how the various ore deposits came to be.  Bill Woods then taught us how to make conifer trees using wire, hemp sisal, spray paint and ground foam.

ONR Convention - 2018 @ Kirtland Lake - Friday

This years convention was held in Kirkland Lake, with accommodations provided by the Super 8 motel.  Our thanks to Peter Ross for doing all of the planning and up front work to secure locations. Special thanks to Gerald Harper for helping to arrange our Friday morning trip to the Glencore Horne copper smelter located in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec.  The following set of blog entries recounts my impressions as well as the fun we had once again getting together to share our interest in the Ontario Northland railway.  I will try to post some thoughts and photos to summarize the daily activities. 

We begin our day after a great meal on Thursday evening at Vienna's Bar & Grill. Somewhere in the night the weather changed to rain and cooler temperatures.  A quick breakfast and we were off to Rouyn-Noranda and the Glencore Horne copper smelter.  According to our two tour guides, Glencore is one of the world's largest copper and precious metal producers, as well as North America’s biggest recycler of electronic components. 

Aerial view of smelting operations (Photo courtesy Horne website)

Copper casting (Photo courtesy Horne website)

Our tour started with an overview of the company and operations which take place at this site, as well a history and discussion of the geology of the area and previous copper deposits.  After suiting up in coveralls, safety glasses, steel toed shoes, dust respirator, gloves and ear protection, we got the chance to see the molten copper coming out of the furnace as well as seeing the copper cast.

Hey we look like miners....Check out all of that PPE on ONRHT&S members as we get ready to enter the smelter bldg

Boxcar spotted outside of smelter. Note reporting marks

Sulfuric acid plant

Switching gondolas

Our trip back included a stop at Cheminis, MP 32 of the where members of the ONRH&TS got a chance to photograph train 211 as it passed through on its way to Noranda.  

Cheminis MP 32. Photo by Mike Robin

Passing MP32 sign. Photo by Ken Stroebel

After returning to the Super 8, Bram Bailey gave an outstanding presentation of his new book, Trackside around Ontario’s Cottage Country, which will be available on January 5, 2019.  This book will showcase various ONR, CP, ACR and CN trains around the cottage country of northern/southern Ontario. Looks like another solid read from Bram and shouldn't be missed.