Old Time Trains

What's New ~ Articles ~ Stories ~ Archives ~ Photographs ~ Preservation ~ Library ~ Home

Riding CPR Mixed Trains on the Temiscaming Subdivision

Douglas Leffler

All photographs by the author unless otherwise credited.

A neat trip that a buddy and I took was to Quebec in August 1964 when I was 17 years old. Rahn Stokes and I rode two CPR mixed trains. We both had earlier that summer purchased Nikon F, 35mm cameras and were still getting used to them when we went on the trip. I had been using a 120-size folding camera for about 2 years and felt it was time to move up. Rahn and I both learned how to develop and print our own photos from high school, as we were both on the yearbook staff and had access to the school darkroom. My friend and I had the opportunity to ride a portion of the Temiscaming Subdivision from Temiscaming to Angliers, Quebec. At the time, the Temiscaming Subdivision extended from Mattawa, Ontario to Angliers, Quebec.

The trip to Temiscaming area came about due to my parents and aunt and uncle renting a cabin for a week on Lake Kipawa, a few miles north of Temiscaming. When we arrived at Kipawa, I immediately saw the CPR tracks and station. At the time, I knew virtually nothing about the operations on the line, but soon had a chance to gain some information from the CPR agent. Further investigation in Temiscaming revealed that a mixed train was in operation between Temiscaming and Angliers and a second mixed train operated between Temiscaming and Mattawa. Both trains used steel combines for passenger accommodations. The Mattawa-Temiscaming train had a standard, clerestory-style car, whereas the Temiscaming-Angliers train had a heavyweight turtle-backed roof car.

Exact details of all aspects of the operation are a little hazy, since the ride took place nearly 47 years ago and as a 17 year old, I didn't take notes. If memory serves me correctly, the train to Angliers operated northbound on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, returning to Temiscaming on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The Mattawa to Temiscaming train seemed to operate every day, but I can't confirm that, since Rahn and I didn't ride the train all the way from Mattawa to Temiscaming. However, we did get a chance for a shorter ride on it from Temiscaming to Kipawa Junction, which was called Gendreau in the timetable. That ride took place on a Thursday in August, 1964 after getting approval from my parents and arranging for a lift from Kipawa into Temiscaming.

8793 on the Mattawa-Temiscaming Mixed train about to depart Temiscaming, Quebec. Rahn Stokes
Note the wooden water line at left for a mill.

Upon arriving in Temiscaming, we asked the crew if it would be OK to ride in the caboose instead of the combine. (There were no other passengers!) Approval was granted and Rahn and I grabbed our seats in the cupola. Power for the train was an RS-18, number 8793. We rode the cupola all the way to Gendreau, where we got off the train to take photos of them switching at the wye. Apparently, some cars destined for points north, to be handled by the Temiscaming-Angliers train, were regularly exchanged at Gendreau, rather than at Temiscaming. Our short ride on the Mattawa-Temiscaming train ended at Kipawa, but we had been told by the Mattawa crew that a second mixed train from Temiscaming to Angliers would run on the following day. My parents gave the necessary OK so that we could ride the train, and so the plan was in place to ride from Temiscaming to Angliers, stay overnight there and return the following day.

View from cupola of caboose 437437.

These photos (below) show the Mattawa-Temiskaming train at Gendreau. Thiis junction, had a wye with one leg which extended a little over a mile to the village of Kipawa, was also called Gendreau. The way the crew explained it to us at the time, the Mattawa-Temiskaming train regularly exchanged some cars with the Temiscaming-Angliers train at Gendreau. The conductor on the train in the photos was Mr. Fields. The Temiscaming-Angliers crew called it "Fieldsie's Train." Fieldsie's train had the steel CPR caboose with the center cupola. My buddy Rahn and I rode this train from Temiscaming to Kipawa and if I remember right, the train backed into Kipawa and dropped us off at the station. My parents and aunt and uncle had rented a cabin on Lake Kipawa for the week and they picked us up at the dock after our ride. We coordinated all of this without cell phones!! Can you believe it?? Ha, ha!!

Running around the wye at Gendreau.

Preparing the throw the switch. Carefull! Note mile board on pole at upper right.

Switching at Gendreau (above and below)

8793 one of 72 RS-18's MLW 82474 7/1958
Note: This was the first RS-18 to be rebuilt at Angus as 1800 9/1980

Combine 3326 and van 437437 sitting in front of the station at Temiscaming.

Temiscaming-Angliers Mixed

Frank Smith riding the footboard of SW1200RS 8153 (GMD A1899 8/1960) Rahn Stokes

When Rahn and I arrived at Temiscaming on Friday morning, the 8153 was just getting underway to arrange the train for the trip north. We quickly purchased our tickets from the Temiscaming agent and boarded the combine. However, soon thereafter, the crew gave us permission to ride in the caboose as long as we stayed out of their way. Again, there were no other passengers!

6615 MLW S-11 82420 6/1959 at right. 8153 straight ahead. Temiscaming Yard

Soon, we were underway north and we soon recognized some of the scenes viewed the previous day on the Mattawa-Temiscaming train, when we rode up to Kipawa. The train stopped at Tee Lake station and soon thereafter made a stop at Gendreau, to pick up some cars left the previous day by the Mattawa-Temiscaming train. During the switch moves, the crew kept referring to the Mattawa-Temiscaming train as "Fieldsie's train." As previously mentioned, the regular conductor on the Mattawa-Temiscaming train was named Fields, thus, it was know by the local crews as "Fieldsie's train!

Tee Lake still in old CPR 1940's paint scheme!

View from the caboose approaching Gendreau.

Kipawa station

Conductor Bruce Clemens (left) and brakeman Frank Smith. Note backup hose. Gendreau Rahn Stokes

Crew inside van

Stopped at Fabre

View from the cab of 8153 operating with cab leading.

View looking back from cab of 8153.

Wooden van 436819

View from rear of van. Rahn Stokes

As the train rocked and rolled northward, the landscape slowly changed from rolling hills with rocky streams to flatter farmland. After awhile, the crew asked if we would like to ride in the locomotive. "Yes, indeed" was our reply and we rode in the cab of the 8153 for perhaps 30 miles or so, before the train again stopped for switching along the way, at which time we returned to the caboose. We made station stops at Fabre, the wye at Gaboury (where we backed the train over 7 miles to Ville Marie) and Lorrainville before reaching Angliers in the late afternoon. The crew advised us where we could grab a bite to eat and even offered to let us sleep overnight in the combine, to save hotels costs. That sounded great, so after dinner, we retired to the combine for the night. In the morning, we again took up residence in the cupola and enjoyed the ride back to Temiscaming.

Backed in to a deadend at Ville Marie.

8153 switching north of Temiscaming. Five photographs.

Stopped at Lorrainville.

Switching at Lorrainville.

The fellow looking out of the cupola is my friend Rahn Stokes, who rode with me on the trip. Gendreau Quebec

View from the caboose.

Combine 3326 and van 436819

Switching in the rain near Ville Marie. These two views (above and below) were likely taken on the return trip next day.

View looking back from van before arriving in Temiscaming.

When we arrived back in Temiscaming, we were greeted by the train from Mattawa, which had arrived earlier. This time he had a different RS-18 for power, no. 8799. Of course, we grabbed a few photos of the train before returning to Kipawa!

The rides on the mixed trains were a wonderful experience that cannot be repeated today. The leisurely ride and friendly CPR crews provided memories that we shall never forget.

What's New ~ Articles ~ Stories ~ Archives ~ Photographs ~ Preservation ~ Library ~ Home

Old Time Trains © 2011

Riding CPR Mixed Trains on the Temiscaming Subdivision

Douglas Leffler

All photographs by the author unless otherwise credited.

A neat trip that a buddy and I took was to Quebec in August 1964 when I was 17 years old. Rahn Stokes and I rode two CPR mixed trains. We both had earlier that summer purchased Nikon F, 35mm cameras and were still getting used to them when we went on the trip. I had been using a 120-size folding camera for about 2 years and felt it was time to move up. Rahn and I both learned how to develop and print our own photos from high school, as we were both on the yearbook staff and had access to the school darkroom. My friend and I had the opportunity to ride a portion of the Temiscaming Subdivision from Temiscaming to Angliers, Quebec. At the time, the Temiscaming Subdivision extended from Mattawa, Ontario to Angliers, Quebec.

The trip to Temiscaming area came about due to my parents and aunt and uncle renting a cabin for a week on Lake Kipawa, a few miles north of Temiscaming. When we arrived at Kipawa, I immediately saw the CPR tracks and station. At the time, I knew virtually nothing about the operations on the line, but soon had a chance to gain some information from the CPR agent. Further investigation in Temiscaming revealed that a mixed train was in operation between Temiscaming and Angliers and a second mixed train operated between Temiscaming and Mattawa. Both trains used steel combines for passenger accommodations. The Mattawa-Temiscaming train had a standard, clerestory-style car, whereas the Temiscaming-Angliers train had a heavyweight turtle-backed roof car.

Exact details of all aspects of the operation are a little hazy, since the ride took place nearly 47 years ago and as a 17 year old, I didn't take notes. If memory serves me correctly, the train to Angliers operated northbound on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, returning to Temiscaming on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The Mattawa to Temiscaming train seemed to operate every day, but I can't confirm that, since Rahn and I didn't ride the train all the way from Mattawa to Temiscaming. However, we did get a chance for a shorter ride on it from Temiscaming to Kipawa Junction, which was called Gendreau in the timetable. That ride took place on a Thursday in August, 1964 after getting approval from my parents and arranging for a lift from Kipawa into Temiscaming.

8793 on the Mattawa-Temiscaming Mixed train about to depart Temiscaming, Quebec. Rahn Stokes
Note the wooden water line at left for a mill.

Upon arriving in Temiscaming, we asked the crew if it would be OK to ride in the caboose instead of the combine. (There were no other passengers!) Approval was granted and Rahn and I grabbed our seats in the cupola. Power for the train was an RS-18, number 8793. We rode the cupola all the way to Gendreau, where we got off the train to take photos of them switching at the wye. Apparently, some cars destined for points north, to be handled by the Temiscaming-Angliers train, were regularly exchanged at Gendreau, rather than at Temiscaming. Our short ride on the Mattawa-Temiscaming train ended at Kipawa, but we had been told by the Mattawa crew that a second mixed train from Temiscaming to Angliers would run on the following day. My parents gave the necessary OK so that we could ride the train, and so the plan was in place to ride from Temiscaming to Angliers, stay overnight there and return the following day.

View from cupola of caboose 437437.

These photos (below) show the Mattawa-Temiskaming train at Gendreau. Thiis junction, had a wye with one leg which extended a little over a mile to the village of Kipawa, was also called Gendreau. The way the crew explained it to us at the time, the Mattawa-Temiskaming train regularly exchanged some cars with the Temiscaming-Angliers train at Gendreau. The conductor on the train in the photos was Mr. Fields. The Temiscaming-Angliers crew called it "Fieldsie's Train." Fieldsie's train had the steel CPR caboose with the center cupola. My buddy Rahn and I rode this train from Temiscaming to Kipawa and if I remember right, the train backed into Kipawa and dropped us off at the station. My parents and aunt and uncle had rented a cabin on Lake Kipawa for the week and they picked us up at the dock after our ride. We coordinated all of this without cell phones!! Can you believe it?? Ha, ha!!

Running around the wye at Gendreau.

Preparing the throw the switch. Carefull! Note mile board on pole at upper right.

Switching at Gendreau (above and below)

8793 one of 72 RS-18's MLW 82474 7/1958
Note: This was the first RS-18 to be rebuilt at Angus as 1800 9/1980

Combine 3326 and van 437437 sitting in front of the station at Temiscaming.

Temiscaming-Angliers Mixed

Frank Smith riding the footboard of SW1200RS 8153 (GMD A1899 8/1960) Rahn Stokes

When Rahn and I arrived at Temiscaming on Friday morning, the 8153 was just getting underway to arrange the train for the trip north. We quickly purchased our tickets from the Temiscaming agent and boarded the combine. However, soon thereafter, the crew gave us permission to ride in the caboose as long as we stayed out of their way. Again, there were no other passengers!

6615 MLW S-11 82420 6/1959 at right. 8153 straight ahead. Temiscaming Yard

Soon, we were underway north and we soon recognized some of the scenes viewed the previous day on the Mattawa-Temiscaming train, when we rode up to Kipawa. The train stopped at Tee Lake station and soon thereafter made a stop at Gendreau, to pick up some cars left the previous day by the Mattawa-Temiscaming train. During the switch moves, the crew kept referring to the Mattawa-Temiscaming train as "Fieldsie's train." As previously mentioned, the regular conductor on the Mattawa-Temiscaming train was named Fields, thus, it was know by the local crews as "Fieldsie's train!

Tee Lake still in old CPR 1940's paint scheme!

View from the caboose approaching Gendreau.

Kipawa station

Conductor Bruce Clemens (left) and brakeman Frank Smith. Note backup hose. Gendreau Rahn Stokes

Crew inside van

Stopped at Fabre

View from the cab of 8153 operating with cab leading.

View looking back from cab of 8153.

Wooden van 436819

View from rear of van. Rahn Stokes

As the train rocked and rolled northward, the landscape slowly changed from rolling hills with rocky streams to flatter farmland. After awhile, the crew asked if we would like to ride in the locomotive. "Yes, indeed" was our reply and we rode in the cab of the 8153 for perhaps 30 miles or so, before the train again stopped for switching along the way, at which time we returned to the caboose. We made station stops at Fabre, the wye at Gaboury (where we backed the train over 7 miles to Ville Marie) and Lorrainville before reaching Angliers in the late afternoon. The crew advised us where we could grab a bite to eat and even offered to let us sleep overnight in the combine, to save hotels costs. That sounded great, so after dinner, we retired to the combine for the night. In the morning, we again took up residence in the cupola and enjoyed the ride back to Temiscaming.

Backed in to a deadend at Ville Marie.

8153 switching north of Temiscaming. Five photographs.

Stopped at Lorrainville.

Switching at Lorrainville.

The fellow looking out of the cupola is my friend Rahn Stokes, who rode with me on the trip. Gendreau Quebec

View from the caboose.

Combine 3326 and van 436819

Switching in the rain near Ville Marie. These two views (above and below) were likely taken on the return trip next day.

View looking back from van before arriving in Temiscaming.

When we arrived back in Temiscaming, we were greeted by the train from Mattawa, which had arrived earlier. This time he had a different RS-18 for power, no. 8799. Of course, we grabbed a few photos of the train before returning to Kipawa!

The rides on the mixed trains were a wonderful experience that cannot be repeated today. The leisurely ride and friendly CPR crews provided memories that we shall never forget.