Sorry it's been so long, lots of going on's at work, and possabilly having to look for another job in the next few weeks. Have been wanting to ask more questions. I know some of this has been covered, and I have notes on that just trying to get more specific answers.
As I had mentioned before hopefully in the next couple of years I will be starting on building the model railroad, based on the SOO between Gladstone and Sault Ste. Marie, and if space permits, Trout Lake to St. Ignace, and Trout Lake to Marquette.
Time period is going to be a general time of 1977 to 1984. Possibility narrowing it down farther to 78/79 to 81/82 depending on how I want to work everything out. So with the time frame of 1977 to the end of service on the St. Ignace line, hopefully you can help with these questions.
Questions about the Chief Wawatam
What years the MIGN "flag out" was? I have seen it mention 1978 I think it was, any idea about when, early in the year, or later? For some reason finding much info on the flag out using the internet is slim pickings.
During the flag out, anyone remember how the Chief Wawatam operated? I have heard flat out 24/7, and also just two trips a day. Was two trips a day about all they could handle, by the time they tied down the cars on the boat, got across the lake and released the cars?
About how many cars would fit on the Chief Wawatam?
I have read somewhere about a Truck/Rail move of steel from Algoma Steel to Pellston, Mi, does anyone happen to know anything about that, like what part was a rail move, and if any was rail on the SOO, do you happen to remember was it mostly AC cars, or SOO cars? What years was it, and approximately how many cars a day/week/month?
Another thing I read somewhere, was coal for Algoma Steel in the winter. Kind of the same questions, was it just a one year thing, or multi years? How many cars and whos?
It has been mentioned about cars waiting on line to be taken to St. Ignace, for the Chief Wawatam, and stacking up all over the place. Also talked about was at one point the SOO basicly waved the white flag, and got a special "release" to start to move the cars through Chicago, without penalty. Some where it was mentioned about 400 cars. Was this a one time deal, do you know, or was this the start of the end of the flag out, because it was causing so many problems.
I know a lot of the cars for the Chief Wawatam was lumber, from photos it looks like close to 80%. Can anyone remember any other major types of cars or commodities that was a major source for the boat, that could be seen almost every trip? Wondering if maybe some paper from Canada, or maybe from out east heading west?
How about if they sorted out cars off the boat before heading back to Trout Lake? I know some of the questions implies that there was eastbound traffic of the boat, if there was was it much?
St. Ignace area,
What about other industries in/around the immediate St. Ignace area that you know of? If there was do you remember what they were, names, and what they shipped or received, how often or how many cars? I know it has been mentioned cars of propane for a dealer in town, and i see usually one or two cars in photos of the trains to and from town.
Anything else you can think of that would be relevant would be great.
Thanks,
Matt Smith
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