Another month, with quite some progress with the 'Deep Freeze' option of the Canadian Theme Pack, as well as rail stations and more signalling ...
It is Christmas Time at the freight rail hub of Cochrane, Ontario, Canada, operated by Ontario Northland Railway [ONR], on a freezing minus 40° C day ... At this time of the year, a lot of cargo has to be shifted. There is paper from the Kapuskasing paper mill to the printing works at Englehart. Also, timber harvesting at Hearst is in full swing, as heavy vehicles can only access the tundra forests when the ground is frozen solid; so for ONR, it is very vital to exploit the timber resources of Northern Ontario, as timber, lumber and paper has to get to markets. Very important, too, is the supply of mail, heating oil, diesel fuel, petrol, aviation jet fuel, groceries and general cargo to the local communities; not to forget getting passengers to their destination.
Ontario Northland Railway operate from the terminus at North Bay in the south, via Cochrane, and on to its northern terminus at Moosonee, as well as to Kapuskasing, Hearst and Timmins to name a few. As Moosonee cannot be reached by road, the Polar Bear Express is an essential mixed transportation service for passengers, mail and general cargo. It is just being shunted to the station platform, to get ready for its daily 6 hour journey to Moosonee. The Snowplow is also just heading off to clear any snow that fell overnight, while several heavy freight trains are waiting for their journey down to North Bay ...
... The 'Deep Freeze' at Cochrane, Ontario ...
... but, spring is getting closer ...
... even the worst winter comes to a close with much easier living in summer ...
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