Chapleau citizens greet last run of Via Rail's 'The Canadian' with protest and sadness in January 1990

Walter, Mark, Raymond, Bobby

Newspaper headlines blared the story of the "Last Run" of the Canadian bidding farewell to Via Rail's transcontinental train that ran on Canadian Pacific Railway tracks through Chapleau until January 1990.

The Chapleau Sentinel headline declared 'A proud Canadian dies' while the London Free Press noted, "Northern communities mourn abrupt end of passenger train."

An important part of Canadian history ended in January 1990, when the Progressive Conservative government of Brian Mulroney cancelled the full service passenger train along the southern route to Vancouver and Toronto/Montreal. 

For Chapleau citizens, and those in all the other communities along the CPR mainline, the daily passenger train was a major player in community life.

Gordon Sanderson, a reporter with the London Free Press was on the last run. He wrote: "Northern Ontario communities that owe their existence to the railroad bid farewell to the last westbound transcontinental passenger train.."

Bobby Fortin, of Chapleau, who at the time had 35 years of service with the railway, was  the conductor on the last westbound and eastbound Canadian to pass through Chapleau. The last westbound Canadian passed through Chapleau on January 15 and the last eastbound on January 17, 1990.

Chapleau crew members with Bobby included Shane Black, Baggageman; Mark Mizuguchi, Trainman; Raymond Brunette, First Engineer and  Walter Telik, Second Engineer.

He told Mr. Sanderson, "I feel terrible... Every trip we could have five more cars, and fill them all, even in winter."

In Bobby's case, like in so many Chapleau families, railroading was part of his family. 

"I live in Chapleau. My wife and three daughters were born there, and so was I. My father was a conductor and my four brothers are working for the railway," he told the reporter. 

At 7:45 a.m a crowd of citizens gathered at the station to bid farwell but also to protest the government decision. The largest sign proclaimed "Brian (Mulroney, the prime minister) Resign -- Get Back on Track".

Bobby, Mark, Jack Pollock (Schreiber)

John Way-White, a member of Club Fifty-Five, and a retired CPR employee living in Chapleau wrote in the Chapleau Sentinel "... it was a sad day for the people of Chapleau and for the people of Canada... (as) the last Canadian train ran through our little town on to its final destination in Toronto or Montreal to be mothballed, sold or scrapped -- an ignominous end to a proud symbol of Canadian unity.

He added that the Canadian "had long served  this country, along with its transcontinental predecessors , faithfully through wars, depressions and better times ever since the government of Canada ceded invaluable right-of-way land in return for transportation services to Canadians."

John summed up the importance of the train to Chapleau. "Many worked on it as crew members, others serviced it as shop staff, car men, maintenance staff of the railway of the railway, and station personnel. Townspeople who did not work for the railroad and travelled on the train. Thus it will be missed. not as a luxury, but as a necessity all across this great country."  

John sure summed it up in words that apply now, 25 years later, as they did in 1990. Thanks to Margaret Rose and Bobby Fortin for providing me with newspaper clippings and photos about the "last run". It was also great to chat with Mark and Walter at the Redwood when I was home recently, and I saw Raymond at Harry Pellow's party in Toronto in 2014.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

BUDD Cars Being Modernized and Upgraded for Sudbury, Chapleau to White River Run

The "BUDD" cars which operate between Sudbury, Chapleau and White River, Ontario, are getting an overhaul, according to an announcement made today which says that the funding is being made available for the complete modernization and upgrading of six self-propelled rail diesel cars.(RDCs)

Industrial Rail Services Inc (IRSI) of Moncton has been awarded a $12.6 million contract for the project. The project to rebuild rail cars that will be used on VIA services between Sudbury and White River in Ontario and between Victoria and Courtenay in BC, is being fully funded through the federal Government’s Economic Action Plan.

The first of the six rebuilt RDCs will be delivered by IRSI in April 2011 and the remainder of the fleet will be completed by the end of that year.


Among the advanced systems being incorporated into the RDCs by IRSI are:

New interiors and fully-rebuilt seating with improved accessibility for passengers with special mobility needs;
New, fully-accessible washrooms and toilets;
New LED interior lighting;
New controls, electrical wiring, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems;
Fully-rebuilt diesel engines that meet Euro II emission standards; and
Fully-rebuilt air brakes.

Built in the 1950s by the world-renowned Budd Company of Philadelphia, the six sturdy, stainless steel RDCs are structurally sound. Now, by applying numerous technologically-advanced sub-systems, the cars will provide 15 to 20 further years of safe and reliable service to Canadian rail travellers with improved cost-effectiveness and passenger comfort. The rebuilding project will also reduce the already-low environmental footprint of VIA’s RDCs.

The first of the six rebuilt RDCs will be delivered by IRSI in April 2011 and the remainder of the fleet will be completed by the end of that year.

Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Atlantic Gateway; Marc Laliberté, VIA Rail Canada’s President and CEO; and Richard Carpenter, President of Industrial Rail Services Inc today announced funding for the complete modernization and upgrading of the six self-propelled rail diesel cars (RDCs).

NOTE: Thanks to John McKnight of Chapleau for providing this news.

MP trying to restore passenger rail service on CPR line in Northern Ontario

Twenty years after the federal Progressive Conservative government led by prime minister Brian Mulroney, gutted the national passenger train service run by Via Rail, a member of parliament from Thunder Bay is trying to get it partially restored.

New Democratic Party MP for Thunder Bay- Superior North Bruce Hyer tabled a motion in the House of Commons last July 12, calling for passenger service to be restored to Thunder Bay and the scenic north shore of Lake Superior.

On January 15, 1990, the federal government cut Via Rail service by 55 percent, according to information on Wikipedia. The "Canadian" which had run on the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks, the nation's first transcontinental railway, built when another Conservative, John A. Macdonald was in office, was moved to the northern Canadian National Railways track -- less populated and far less scenic.

I came across a facebook group established by Alice Herculson called "Via Rail through Thunder Bay and North Shore of  Lake Superior -- we vote yes." As of December 27, it had more than 900 members. If you are on facebook, the group is open to join.

After seeing information on Mr. Hyer's motion she said in a post that her interest was "sparked" and she started the group. "I used to ride this train all the time! I would again if it was available. This is the most beautiful train ride!"

Speaking in the House, Mr. Hyer said “It was a privilege to submit a Motion on returning passenger rail service to Thunder Bay and the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior. This line was cut by the Conservative government of the late 1980’s, despite being VIA’s busiest route. Today, rail has been experiencing a renaissance because it is both environmentally friendly and efficient. This is one small step towards getting Canada back on track with passenger rail.”

Mr. Hyer, who served previously as President of the North of Superior Tourism Association (NOSTA) and on the board of directors of Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association (NOTO) told assembled MPs that “Returning VIA Rail to one of the most spectacular routes in the country - through Marathon, Terrace Bay, Schreiber, Nipigon, and Thunder Bay - will be a huge boost to those communities and to rail tourism alike.”

Of course, Mr. Hyer was speaking directly about the communities in his riding, but restoration of passenger rail service would also be a huge boost to other communities along the main line of the CPR including my hometown of Chapleau.

Eugene Bouillon, who was born and raised in Chapleau, attended college in Thunder Bay and now lives in White River wrote:  "Yes, VIA and the old "Canadian", is needed back on the North Shore, the most beautiful area in all of Canada, in my opinion. The train snakes along the Great Lake Superior, awesome view. I was born and raised in Chapleau and now live in White River, the train, is a very important part of our lives. WE NEED IT BACK."

One person on the group commented: "Everyone I knew used to take the train back and forth to college and university. It was a lot easier (and environmentally friendly) than everyone driving their kids down and back, etc. and it was FUN! and COOL! and BEAUTIFUL! I would choose the train in a minute for a relaxing adventure - no driving, you can get up up and walk around..."

I can relate to this comment. I travelled to and from Chapleau to school by train for five years as did so many from northern Ontario. And those trips are a story for another day.

Another comment:  "I think bringing the train back is a great idea! It would give us all a great alternative in travelling. I believe it will create a tourist attraction, and also bring in more jobs. It's a win win situation every way I look at it! Train rides are so peaceful with such beautiful views to offer!!"

And this one: " I am flying in to Thunder Bay, driving a borrowed car to Marathon, then driving said borrowed car to White River to put my son on the train to Sudbury - Via we need you!!!!!!!"

And:  "I am all for it, in Europe, trains are so comfortable, and enjoyable!!!! We would have less pollution, and safer roads!!! Win win situation."

I like this one:  "I also agree, it should never have been taken away.Best way for pensioners to travel."

Let's see if this grassroots group can help the MP achieve his goal.