| Tuesday, October 19, 1954, Vol. 111, No. 32714 | The Globe and Mail (Toronto) | Page 7, col. 1 |
Rerouting helps trains operate; CNR hardest hit
All CNR and CPR main-line passenger trains to and from Toronto were in operation last night—some through a system of devious rerouting—as section gangs continued their round-the-clock labors to repair washouts.
Worst hit by the weekend floods were lines of the CNR. More than 150 washouts were reported and dozens of bridges were damaged or destroyed. Heaviest damage was reported between Toronto and WashagoToronto—Washago refers to Bala Subdivision and Toronto and BarrieToronto—Barrie refers Newmarket Subdivision.
Bridge gangs from as far distant as Sarnia and machinery from as far away as Montréal are being moved into the Toronto-to-Barrie area to build some 40 new trestles.
The CNR estimated that 400 to 500 carloads of ballast, from every accessible gravel pit, would be required for the operation. Fifteen to 20 carloads of piling and other bridge material are already converging on the wrecked lines from stockpiles in Montréal, London and Belleville.
One hundred sectionmen from Toronto and Belleville are augmenting the 300 local men in the stricken area.
CNR trains to and from Northern Ontario, as well as the Continental Limited to and from Vancouver, are being rerouted via Belleville, Peterborough and Beaverton.
All trains on the Montréal to Chicago main line are running normally.
Main lines to the north (Barrie and Beaverton) will be opened toward the end of the week.
The Scarboro-Lindsay lineScarboro—Lindsay refers to Uxbridge Subdivision, which was heavily washed out, is expected to be back in operation by Saturday.
The Lindsay-Orillia section of the Midland subdivision was opened yesterday, allowing transcontinental trains to and from Toronto to get through.
The Hamilton-Barrie lineHamilton—Barrie refers to Milton Subdivision is completely out, and no date has been estimated for its reopening.
Canadian Pacific Railway was operating yesterday, for the first time since Friday night, along its main line through MacTier and Sudbury. Repairs have been completed at 50 washouts, including bridge approaches at Beeton and Palgrave.
CPR trains from Toronto to Vancouver were to leave on schedule last night on a rerouted line through Smiths Falls.