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Post by Chris City on Feb 19, 2016 21:25:19 GMT -8
The latest addition to the E&N roster is caboose A5. Declared surplus by SRY and unwanted by MRL, it was sent to the E&N recently to be used in work train service should the money for track repairs ever come through. Either way, it's nice to see a caboose in the yard again. SRY A5 ~ Wellcox Yard, Nanaimo by Chris City, on Flickr
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Post by Chris City on Dec 29, 2015 17:18:21 GMT -8
Even though most of the E&N is designated "out of service," freight does still move, although not very far. The E&N now exists essentially as a terminal railway with a short spur, with a half dozen or so customers it can probably continue as is indefinitely. It has been just over a year since I took any E&N photos, and I haven't taken any since they switched to using rail barges instead of the Seaspan ferries so I thought I'd spend the day to take a few photos of the days activities. Seaspan Commander arriving with the weekly barge of 15 railcars: Seaspan Commander ~ Nanaimo Harbour by Chris City, on Flickr Starting the unloading process: SRY 110 ~ Wellcox Yard by Chris City, on Flickr After the barge was unloaded/ unloaded, they head out to Superior Propane with 6 loads. Superior is the only customer left that is not located at Wellcox yard: SRY 110 ~ Nanaimo by Chris City, on Flickr
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Post by Chris City on Jul 10, 2015 21:33:31 GMT -8
What ferry is in berth-4 ? 1986 is too early for Skeena Queen. Most likely one of the vessels brought in when the Dept. of Highways saltwater fleet was absorbed--possibly Quinitsa or Quinsam. I vaguely recall seeing a picture of one at Swartz Bay still painted in black-yellow livery, but can't remember where I found it. Quinitsa superseded Bowen Queen as the regular ferry on route 4 until Skeena Queen took over. Quinitsa still wore the Dept. of Highways livery for awhile, I took quite a few trips when she wore those colours.
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Post by Chris City on Mar 14, 2015 10:56:44 GMT -8
Nanaimo Daily News story on possibility of Seaspan Ferries moving from its historic old downtown Nanaimo terminal. My question is that if Seaspan closes this drop-trailer terminal, would the rail dock also close (same berth). If the rail dock closes, then where else would there be a rail dock on Vancouver Island? from HERE That could be the final nail in the coffin for the E&N, can't see them spending the money to buy new land and build a new barge slip just for the few customers the E&N still serves.
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Post by Chris City on Jan 3, 2015 16:40:05 GMT -8
Bowen Queen is currently northbound in the Strait of Georgia, looks like she's heading for Vancouver Harbour. Update: she's at Horseshoe Bay.
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Post by Chris City on Jan 3, 2015 14:12:21 GMT -8
Bowen Queen is currently northbound in the Strait of Georgia, looks like she's heading for Vancouver Harbour.
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Post by Chris City on Dec 6, 2014 14:53:02 GMT -8
Great photos guys! So what is the reason for her docking trials on these routes? Is she leaving Route 4 in the near future?
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Post by Chris City on Dec 3, 2014 19:05:47 GMT -8
Skeena Queen is just entering Active Pass, not sure if destination is Fulford or Swartz Bay.
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Post by Chris City on Sept 23, 2014 18:53:59 GMT -8
That's great, thanks for the link! Can't wait to see the designs.
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Post by Chris City on Sept 23, 2014 11:33:55 GMT -8
I read this morning that Seaspan is ordering two new trailer ferries, to be built in Turkey. Anybody hear about this?
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Post by Chris City on Sept 19, 2014 23:12:31 GMT -8
While the Seaspan Greg is still in their fleet list, Seaspan's current schedule does not have her doing any runs... she seems to have been replaced by the Arctic Taglu/Fraser Link combo. With the ' Doris already gone, perhaps this is the end of the connection to F.M. Yorke and Sons on our coast. Seaspan Greg occasionally will do a late night run to Nanaimo, seems like an unscheduled trip, maybe because of heavy traffic? Also, whenever one of the other ships goes for maintenance, she always fills in.
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Post by Chris City on Jun 29, 2014 20:07:41 GMT -8
QQII had her own extreme-makeover in 2010-11, at same shipyard. Tachek's recent rebuild was mostly the same as what we first done to Quadra Queen II. So I'm thinking that this current QQII visit to Point Hope is just some warranty work of some sort (maybe a moderate item). That is a great photo of the QQ II. She had her life extending major work project done a few years ago. The Tachek had similar work done just within the last year, & is currently replacing the QQ II on her route at Port McNeill. The work on the QQ II this time is less intensive, including routine maintenance, dry-docking (obviously), painting, etc. I don't think any steel work is happening this time around. If I am not right about this I am certain someone will correct me. Thanks for the info and comments guys! It was a nice surprise when I saw her on AIS making her way for Victoria harbour, hope I can get a photo of her in the water at some point.
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Post by Chris City on Jun 29, 2014 16:10:58 GMT -8
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Post by Chris City on Apr 30, 2014 20:23:53 GMT -8
Princess Superior has been having troubles lately as twice within two weeks she has ended up at Vancouver Shipyards. Good for me as I get a rare chance to see Seaspan Greg at Swartz Bay. Was able to get photos last night and tonight but unfortunately at the time she arrives here the light isn't the greatest. Photo below is from her arrival tonight at about 7:00. Seaspan Greg by Chris City 2, on Flickr
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Post by Chris City on Apr 13, 2014 19:14:15 GMT -8
I was waiting for the Spirit of BC's 1:00 sailing from Swartz Bay yesterday and I was able to catch Skeena Queen taking Colburne Passage just a couple of minutes before.
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Post by Chris City on Apr 9, 2014 18:43:53 GMT -8
MV Kuper arriving at the cramped looked dock at Chemainus on Sunday afternoon:
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Post by Chris City on Mar 24, 2014 20:00:48 GMT -8
Coastal Celebration approaching Swartz Bay. 2 o'clock sailing, March 23, 2014.
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Post by Chris City on Mar 24, 2014 19:40:56 GMT -8
Spirit of Vancouver Island has just departed Swartz Bay and is passing through Satellite Channel on her way to Tsawwassen. 3 o'clock sailing, March 23.
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Post by Chris City on Mar 2, 2014 17:25:31 GMT -8
The US Navy has posted a large set of photos of their assisting Protecteur: www.navy.mil/viewGallery.aspThe images aren't grouped into a linkable set, so the they may leave the "front page" spot after a while - if so, just search for HMCS Protecteur and the images will result. Thanks for posting that link.
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Post by Chris City on Mar 2, 2014 11:18:43 GMT -8
A fire damaged HMCS Protecteur, yesterday near Hawaii. The damage to this supply ship is another bad blow to the RCN's Pacific fleet. Apparently the damage was quite extensive. Quite a few injuries to firefighting personnel as well. Considering Protecteur is slated to be decommissioned in 2016, assuming of course the NSPS project goes ahead, I'm guessing that she will be towed back to Esquimalt and decommissioned early, rather than spend millions repairing the damage. My cousin is on that ship, just talked to my aunt and she said the Protecteur is being towed back to Hawaii where it will be inspected and they will decide what do to next. Everybody on the ship has suffered from smoke inhalation, exhaustion, etc. but I don't think any serious injuries. It's an absolute joke that a ship like that is being used by a navy in 2014. She said they were very close to losing the ship, they were literally fighting for their lives.
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Post by Chris City on Mar 1, 2014 17:38:51 GMT -8
After reading Scott's post from earlier today that Tachek would be stopping at Swartz Bay this afternoon, I had to go and take some photos. It was snowing when I got to the dock off Dolphin Road, and windy, really windy. I took photos of her arriving but didn't wait around for the departure.
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Post by Chris City on Feb 28, 2014 19:41:15 GMT -8
It's 7:45am on February 19 at the E&N's Wellcox Yard in Nanaimo and the weekly Duncan Turn is just starting to roll out:
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Post by Chris City on Feb 19, 2014 23:11:43 GMT -8
Mayne Queen as the dangerous cargo ship, returning to Swartz Bay from the southern Gulf Islands. The dark clouds indicate that yet another storm is on the way. February 16, 2014.
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Post by Chris City on Feb 11, 2014 20:16:58 GMT -8
After switching the barge this morning the crew ran down to Duncan with 3 loads for Top Shelf Feeds. This photo was taken in South Wellington where a bit of snow still remains:
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Post by Chris City on Feb 10, 2014 16:46:39 GMT -8
Bowen Queen has left Departure Bay, destination hasn't been updated but it looks like it might be headed to Deas.
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