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Algoma Central RR Operations

ACR Train Numbers

Selections of ACR trains numbers through the years, taken from employee's timetables.

Extras are always identified by lead engine number and direction, ie. Extra 186 South.

May 1920

Note: the 1920 timetable list the main line as 3 subdivisions: Soo (Sault Ste. Marie-Frater), Agawa (Frater-Franz) and Northern (Franz-Hearst Jct.). The Helen and Magpie subdivisions branch off the Michipicoten sub.

August 1929 (Passenger Schedules)

Taken from 1929 public passenger timetable reproduced in Tracks of the Black Bear. Only passenger carrying trains on the main line are listed. No listing for Michipicoten trains. Unclear whether these 4 trains are regular passenger trains or mixed trains. We can see that 5,6,9,10 are no longer mixed trains, and based on 1920 and 1951 TTs, 1 and 2 are most likely regular passenger. 3 and 4 may be mixed trains still at this point, but unknown for sure.

September 1951

At some point between 1920 and 1950 the main line has been reorganized into 2 subdivisions: Soo (Sault Ste. Marie-Hawk Junction) and Northern (Hawk Junction-Hearst Jct.). The Magpie sub has been abandoned.

1 and 2 are scheduled to meet at Canyon; the Canyon tour hasn't started yet by 1951.

All trains other than Psgr. #1,2 on the Michipicoten Sub run unscheduled/as required.

1969

1978-1989

Michipicoten Sub: ore trains as required. (Up to 3 turns/day in early 1970s, down to 1/day by mid-late 1980s.) Extra sections of Hawk Jct.-Steelton trains as required to handle southbound ore traffic to Sault Ste. Marie.

Agawa Canyon Tour Train: until approximately 1974-5, the coaches & dining car for the tour train were handled behind the regular consist of no. 1. Coaches dropped at Canyon would be lifted by the southbound no. 2. Extra engines required for handling the stretched consist would be set off at Hawk Junction and lifted by the next day's no. 2. 1976 appears to be the first year that the Canyon Tour is scheduled in the time table as it's own train. (listed as 1 and 2 in '76 with the regular trains as 3 and 4, later swapped back to more familiar numbers - 1/2 for the regular train, 3/4 for the Canyon tour) However the Tour Train would have operated as an extra quite often in the early 1970s when train length required, prompting it's addition to the schedule as a regular train by 1976, and the massive purchases of new (used) passenger equipment in 1969-1974.
Train Order outlining southbound schedule for Psgr Extra 156 South, Canyon-Sault Ste. Marie. July 5, 1974

Snow Train: not sure what the first year of operation for this was, but at least by the very late 1980s the winter version of the Tour Train is still handled by nos. 1 and 2, similar to the operation of the Canyon Tour prior to the mid 1970s. However cars are exchanged at a scheduled meet at Eton, not at Canyon. The early to mid 1990s show this train running on its own.

By the 1991 timetable, all freight trains are no longer scheduled in the timetable. As the ACR had discontinued Timetable & Train Order operation for OCS (Occupancy Clearance System).

1998

2009-2013

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