TR GOVERNMENT SPUR & TR ADM MILLING LEAD

TRACKSIDE GUIDE & PHOTOS

EX-CN GOVERNMENT SPUR & ADM MILLING LEAD

A look at the past and present timetable listings for this line:

TR ~ GOVERNMENT SPUR
SEPTEMBER 19, 1999 - PRESENT

MILE
Fielden Jct.
(Jct. with TR Harbour Line)
0.0
Fielden St.0.03
Clarence Street0.13
Charlotte Street0.21
Kent St.0.28
Ash St.0.40
Sugarloaf Street0.52
Elm St.0.53
Jct. with ADM Milling Lead0.65
End Of Steel1.15

Traffic movement on this line:

     Rule 105 Territory - Not to exceed 15 mph on entire trackage.


Points of interest along this line:

     Mile 0.0 : This is the switch to the TR Harbour Line. Trillium pulls west past the switch and backs down the TR Government Spur to service the two grain elevators.

     Mile 0.03 - 0.40 : Between these mileages, the line crosses a few side streets. Clarence Street is a major street that crosses over the Welland Canal.

     Mile 0.52/0.53 : From here, you are looking down into the harbor towards the two elevators. There is a slight track grade to the elevators.

     Mile 0.65 : This is the Jct. to the ADM Milling Lead. It isn't to well defined but it just runs off of the yard.

     Mile 1.15 : This is the Government Grain Elevator. It is the elevator located on the west side of the docking area.


Operations on this line:

     It's believe the CH Government Spur when built long before Trillium's present ownership/use has been in situ since the elevators at the harbor to the the Lake Erie from the Welland Canal. I am estimating the late 1800's or early 1900's.
     The TR Government Spur leads off of the former (CN) Dunnville Subdivision in Port Colborne, which in 1981 became part of the CN Macey Spur. which is now the Trillium's Harborline in downtown Port Colborne, located on the west side of the Welland Canal.
     The Government Spur leads off of the former CN Dunnville Sub/CN Macey Spur and now known as the TR Harborline....down to the Goderich Grain Elevator and ADM Milling at Sugarloaf Harbour on Lake Erie.
     There is a switch off of the main line at Fielden Avenue. The jct was known as Fielden Jct. The line bends south and crosses Clarence Street, and some residential streets. No locomotive horn is allowed. Only a bell.
     When CN serviced these businesses on the Government Spur, prior to the transfer of the lines in Port Colborne. It was a once per week scheduled service, which usually happened late Sunday nights around 11pm.
     If I recall correctly, the Government Spur, when it was CN, didn't received any service over the winter from 1996 into June of 1997. The Harborline trackage that was to be Trillium's line didn't exist south of mile 3.6ish... not crossing Sherwood Forest Lane. The Government Spur was service by using bridge 20 via the CN Humberstone Spur from CN Yager and a yard job out of Niagara Falls or Port Robinson yard. The lack of service was because bridge 20 was being removed, It wasn't until June 24 that the extension of Trillium's new TR Harborline trackage had yet been completed, but that day saw the first light locomotive run onto the Government Spur to show/see that the connection was back to fulfillment.
     Once Trillium took over the rails on the west side of Port Colborne, the industries saw daily service whenever they require such service. They still do, to this day.
     Trillium usually service Port Colborne on weekdays but if an industry makes a special request, Trillium will come out and give them service on the weekends.
     I don't know about the original year when the Government Spur was built, but I believe it may have been there ever since when the old CN Dunnville Subdivision was built. Possibly this was during the 1870's or early 1900's.
     Trillium at one time had a third unit down at the harbour I believe at ADM Milling to move cars around at the mill. They haven't done so in a number of years. Trillium used to also store their locomotives there, but they were pulled out when the plant was still used. I think Trillium used one of the sheds at ADM as a place to work on their locomotives. The locomotive that worked ADM would stay there all day to move cars back and forth. I don't know if they were loading or unloading the cars. I think it was about 2013 but I may be wrong, but I noticed the tracks leading into the plant were rusting over and th long lead to the plant was also rusty. ADM Milling used to be called Maple Leaf Mills.
     The ADM Milling Lead runs off of the Government Spur at the yard about mid point south of the top of the hill at Sugarloaf Street. The ADM Milling Lead goes to the elevator on the east side of the 2 mills there.
     I have learned that back in the 1950's or 1960's, there was a track that led off of the former CN Government Spur a few blocks up from Sugarloaf Street. The track led off to the east side of the CN Government Spur about a block at the most. It was taken out several years ago, possibly in the late 1970's. I'm not sure if it was a siding or a stub track. I don't think the track would have held more than 800 feet of rail.
     Activity on the TR Government Spur seems more active during different seasons of the year, than others. The line is used exclusively to move grain.
     Trillium usually always pulls west past the switch on the TR Harborline at TR Fielden Jct. and backs down towards Sugarloaf Harbour, protecting the crossings by a crew member at Fielden St., Clarence St, and the other xings, including Sugarloaf Street, just before you head down into the harbour into the yard. This is usually done during the early morning after 8:30am weekdays.
     I am led to believe that the Government Spur was built sometime by the NS&T sometime in the 1920's or 1930's.


Pictorial view of this line:

     These photos are of the Goverment Spur.

113 photos in gallery


Mile 0.00
Looking Northwest
(2003)

Mile 0.00
Looking Northwest
(2011)

Mile 0.00
Looking Northwest
(2012)

Mile 0.00
Looking East
(2000)

Mile 0.00
Looking East
(2011)

Mile 0.00
Looking East
(2011)

Mile 0.00
Looking Southeast
(2011)

Mile 0.00
Looking West
(2011)

Mile 0.00
Looking West
(2011)

Mile 0.00
Looking West
(2013)

Mile 0.01
Looking Northwest
(2013)

Mile 0.02
Looking Northwest
(2012)

Mile 0.02
Looking Southeast
(1996)

Mile 0.02
Looking Southeast
(2012)

Mile 0.02
Looking Southeast
(2012)

Mile 0.02
Looking Southeast
(2013)

Mile 0.13
Looking Northwest
(2003)

Mile 0.13
Looking Northwest
(2011)

Mile 0.13
Looking Northwest
(2011)

Mile 0.13
Looking Northwest
(2012)

Mile 0.13
Looking Northwest
(2012)

Mile 0.13
Looking North
(2013)

Mile 0.13
Looking East
(2011)

Mile 0.13
Looking East
(2012)

Mile 0.13
Looking Southeast
(2003)

Mile 0.13
Looking Southeast
(2011)

Mile 0.13
Looking Southeast
(2012)

Mile 0.13
Looking Southeast
(2012)

Mile 0.13
Looking South
(2011)

Mile 0.13
Looking South
(2013)

Mile 0.13
Looking West
(2011)

Mile 0.19
Looking North
(2003)

Mile 0.19
Looking North
(2011)

Mile 0.19
Looking South
(2003)

Mile 0.19
Looking South
(2011)

Mile 0.19
Looking West
(2011)

Mile 0.19
Looking West
(2011)

Mile 0.21
Looking North
(2003)

Mile 0.21
Looking North
(2011)

Mile 0.21
Looking East
(2011)

Mile 0.21
Looking South
(2011)

Mile 0.21
Looking West
(2011)

Mile 0.26
Looking North
(2003)

Mile 0.28
Looking North
(2011)

Mile 0.28
Looking North
(2013)

Mile 0.28
Looking East
(2011)

Mile 0.28
Looking South
(2003)

Mile 0.28
Looking South
(2003)

Mile 0.28
Looking South
(2011)

Mile 0.28
Looking South
(2013)

Mile 0.28
Looking South
(May 2012)

Mile 0.28
Looking West
(2011)

Mile 0.35
Looking North
(1996)

Mile 0.40
Looking North
(2003)

Mile 0.40
Looking North
(2011)

Mile 0.40
Looking North
(2013)

Mile 0.40
Looking East
(2011)

Mile 0.40
Looking South
(1996)

Mile 0.40
Looking South
(2003)

Mile 0.40
Looking South
(2011)

Mile 0.40
Looking South
(2013)

Mile 0.40
Looking West
(2011)

Mile 0.45
Looking Southeast
(1996)

Mile 0.50
Looking Northwest
(2003)

Mile 0.53
Looking Northwest
(1996)

Mile 0.53
Looking Northwest
(2011)

Mile 0.53
Looking Northwest
(2011)

Mile 0.53
Looking Northwest
(2011)

Mile 0.53
Looking Northwest
(2012)

Mile 0.53
Looking Northwest
(2013)

Mile 0.53
Looking North
(2011)

Mile 0.53
Looking East
(2011)

Mile 0.53
Looking East
(2011)

Mile 0.53
Looking East
(2014)

Mile 0.53
Looking Southeast
(1996)

Mile 0.53
Looking Southeast
(2003)

Mile 0.53
Looking Southeast
(2011)

Mile 0.53
Looking Southeast
(2012)

Mile 0.53
Looking Southeast
(2013)

Mile 0.53
Looking West
(2011)

Mile 0.53
Looking West
(2014)

Mile 0.53
Looking West
(2016)

Mile 0.60
Looking Northwest
(2009)

Mile 0.60
Looking Northwest
(2011)

Mile 0.60
Looking Northwest
(2013)

Mile 0.60
Looking Southeast
(1997)

Mile 0.60
Looking Southeast
(2003)

Mile 0.60
Looking Southeast
(2009)

Mile 0.60
Looking Southeast
(2011)

Mile 0.60
Looking Southeast
(2012)

Mile 0.60
Looking Southeast
(2013)

Mile 0.66
Looking Northwest
(2011)

Mile 0.66
Looking Southeast
(2011)

Mile 0.68
Looking Northwest
(2013)

Mile 0.68
Looking Southeast
(2013)

Mile 0.70
Looking Northwest
(2009)

Mile 0.70
Looking Northwest
(2011)

Mile 0.70
Looking Southeast
(2009)

Mile 0.70
Looking Southeast
(2011)

Mile 0.80
Looking Northwest
(2011)

Mile 0.80
Looking Southeast
(2011)

Mile 0.90
Looking Southeast
(2009)

Mile 0.95
Looking Southeast
(2009)

Mile 1.05
Looking Northwest
(2011)

Mile 1.05
Looking Northwest
(2011)

Mile 1.05
Looking Northwest
(2013)

Mile 1.05
Looking Northwest
(2014)

Mile 1.05
Looking Northwest
(2014)

Mile 1.05
Looking Southeast
(2011)

Mile 1.05
Looking South
(2011)

Mile 1.05
Looking South
(2013)

Mile 1.10
Looking South
(2014)

Mile 1.15
Looking Southwest
(2015)


     These photos are of the ADM Milling Lead.

28 photos in gallery


Mile 0.00
Looking Northwest
(2009)

Mile 0.00
Looking Northwest
(2011)

Mile 0.00
Looking Southeast
(1997)

Mile 0.00
Looking Southeast
(2003)

Mile 0.00
Looking Southeast
(2011)

Mile 0.50
Looking Northwest
(2011)

Mile 0.50
Looking Southeast
(2011)

Mile 0.60
Looking Northwest
(1998)

Mile 0.60
Looking Northwest
(2009)

Mile 0.60
Looking Northwest
(2015)

Mile 0.60
Looking Northwest
(2015)

Mile 0.60
Looking Southeast
(2009)

Mile 0.60
Looking Southeast
(2009)

Mile 0.60
Looking Southeast
(2011)

Mile 0.61
Looking Northwest
(2012)

Mile 0.62
Looking Northwest
(2011)

Mile 0.75
Looking Northwest
(2011)

Mile 0.75
Looking Northwest
(2012)

Mile 0.75
Looking Northwest
(2013)

Mile 0.75
Looking North
(2011)

Mile 0.75
Looking North
(2013)

Mile 0.75
Looking Southeast
(2011)

Mile 0.75
Looking Southeast
(2012)

Mile 0.75
Looking Southeast
(2013)

Mile 0.75
Looking South
(2011)

Mile 0.75
Looking South
(2013)

Mile 0.75
Looking South
(2014)

Mile 0.80
Looking Southeast
(2011)