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There are a few "rail" references in today's AB-ON MOU:

Ontario and Alberta Working Together to Build New Energy and Trade Infrastructure​


CALGARY — Today, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to support Canadian workers by building new pipelines, rail lines and other energy and trade infrastructure that will diversify Canada’s trading partners by unlocking new markets for Ontario’s critical minerals and Western Canada’s oil and gas. Built using Ontario steel, new pipelines will connect western Canadian oil and gas to new and existing refineries in southern Ontario and will expand export opportunities, including by way of a new James Bay deep-sea port in northern Ontario. New rail lines, also built using Ontario steel, will connect Ontario’s Ring of Fire region, critical mineral mining projects and processing facilities to western Canadian ports as Ontario builds an end-to-end critical minerals supply chain.

“In the face of President Trump’s tariffs and ongoing economic uncertainty, Canadians need to work together to build the infrastructure that will diversify our trading partners and end our dependence on the United States,” said Premier Ford. “By building pipelines, rail lines and the energy and trade infrastructure that connects our country, we will build a more competitive, more resilient and more self-reliant economy and country. Together, we are building the infrastructure we need to protect Canada, our workers, businesses and communities. Let’s build Canada.”
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And from the link above:

Cooperation agreement on pipelines, critical minerals and responsible energy development: Ontario and Alberta​

Whereas Alberta and Ontario acknowledge they have joint and mutual interest supporting industry’s efforts to attract investment, build pipelines, rail and other transmission infrastructure, and enhance export and value-added opportunities for Canadian oil and gas, critical minerals, and related energy industries;
  1. Areas of collaboration:
The Parties have identified a number of areas for collaboration, which may be expanded to include additional areas upon mutual consent:

  • Development of rail infrastructure to support the subsequent phases of the Ring of Fire, including all critical mineral mining projects and the infrastructure needed to support them, as well as processing and refining capacity needed for an end-to-end Canadian critical minerals supply chain, including access to western Canadian ports..
  • Work collaboratively to launch a preliminary joint feasibility study in 2025 in order to help move private sector led investments in rail, pipeline(s) and port(s) projects forward.
    • Within the feasibility study, the parties will work to encourage industry to explore ways to maximize the economic benefit to Canada through the use of Canadian supply chains, including Ontario steel and components.
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I find it interesting that the claim owners and proponents of the Ring of Fire area rejected a rail line very early on several years ago. The cost/ton was lower but the upfront costs were, if I recall, about 3x higher than a road. I am assuming that a year-round road might be better accepted by the FNs in the area. None of the government pages discussing the RofF up to this point make any mention of a rail line.

As well, I remain unconvinced that the lower Moose River/southern James Bay area is suitable for a cost effective deep water port, but that's just from my observations of the area.
 
I do not understand what AB would be supplying fora RoF rail line.

A rail line may make some sense,but then the argument could be made that the communities are still isolated. However, with the amount of ore expected, and the fact it is not being refined locally, rail does make the most sense. A PBX line service would mitigate some of the isolation issues.
 
lenaitch said:
I find it interesting that the claim owners and proponents of the Ring of Fire area rejected a rail line very early on several years ago. The cost/ton was lower but the upfront costs were, if I recall, about 3x higher than a road. I am assuming that a year-round road might be better accepted by the FNs in the area. None of the government pages discussing the RofF up to this point make any mention of a rail line.

As well, I remain unconvinced that the lower Moose River/southern James Bay area is suitable for a cost effective deep water port, but that's just from my observations of the area.
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Yeah, the James Bay Lowlands are peat bog, muskeg, and silt. Moosonee is fine for transferring cargo to barges, as they do now, but not for ocean-going vessels.
 
ShonTron said:
Yeah, the James Bay Lowlands are peat bog, muskeg, and silt. Moosonee is fine for transferring cargo to barges, as they do now, but not for ocean-going vessels.
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One feature of the boreal/Shield region including, to a degree**, is the presence of eskers and moraines that run in a (very) generally north-south axis although mostly discontinuous. I recall during the RofF claims rush that one of the original companies (again, I can't recall; Cliffs? Noront?) staked a string of claims running north from roughly Nakina to protect a corridor. There was some controversy at the time whether this was a legitimate use of a mining claim. I suspect the claims have now expired since they were likely not worked but it shows some potential for these 'corridors'. However, all of the discussions and consultations that have occurred between the government and FNs in the recent past have been surrounding roads. If they think they can quickly switch gears and invoke Bill 5, they will likely have a busy summer on their hands.

People don't realize how wet the Lowlands are. Flying over it when the sun is high, if you look straight down and what you think is land, you see sunlight reflected off water. Walking on it, you jump up and down and a tree 20' away moves. That tree, BTW, would be the size of a small Christmas tree, which about as big as they get. Poplars, Tamarack, and larger conifers are limited to the eskers and moraines.

**Edit to clarify; add 'the HB Lowlands'
 
Last edited:
lenaitch said:
One feature of the boreal/Shield region including, to a degree, is the presence of eskers and moraines that run in a (very) generally north-south axis although mostly discontinuous. I recall during the RofF claims rush that one of the original companies (again, I can't recall; Cliffs? Noront?) staked a string of claims running north from roughly Nakina to protect a corridor. There was some controversy at the time whether this was a legitimate use of a mining claim. I suspect the claims have now expired since they were likely not worked but it shows some potential for these 'corridors'. However, all of the discussions and consultations that have occurred between the government and FNs in the recent past have been surrounding roads. If they think they can quickly switch gears and invoke Bill 5, they will likely have a busy summer on their hands.

People don't realize how wet the Lowlands are. Flying over it when the sun is high, if you look straight down and what you think is land, you see sunlight reflected off water. Walking on it, you jump up and down and a tree 20' away moves. That tree, BTW, would be the size of a small Christmas tree, which about as big as they get. Poplars, Tamarack, and larger conifers are limited to the eskers and moraines.
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The Cochrane-Moosonee train, with the exception of the Abitibi Dam area, is a very boring train ride for those looking for any scenery. I’ve done it; I don’t think many have – if they did, they’d understand the challenges of building anything up there.

The only things interesting about it is the operations as is still operates as a mixed train, with flat cars (carrying vehicles and equipment) and box cars on the cons, as well as the communities at the ends of the line.
 
ShonTron said:
The Cochrane-Moosonee train, with the exception of the Abitibi Dam area, is a very boring train ride for those looking for any scenery. I’ve done it; I don’t think many have – if they did, they’d understand the challenges of building anything up there.

The only things interesting about it is the operations as is still operates as a mixed train, with flat cars (carrying vehicles and equipment) and box cars on the cons, as well as the communities at the ends of the line.
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I rode it years ago when you could stand at the rear vestibule and watch the horizon slowly undulate back and forth. Even with diligent track inspections, it still impacts the speed.

Although I guess it is technically a 'mixed', I don't think the PBX hauls general freight anymore. There are chain cars for vehicles and they will include a box car for flag stop canoes/ATVs/MSVs and animal carcasses. I think general freight, tankers, etc. are a separate train.
 
lenaitch said:
I rode it years ago when you could stand at the rear vestibule and watch the horizon slowly undulate back and forth. Even with diligent track inspections, it still impacts the speed.

Although I guess it is technically a 'mixed', I don't think the PBX hauls general freight anymore. There are chain cars for vehicles and they will include a box car for flag stop canoes/ATVs/MSVs and animal carcasses. I think general freight, tankers, etc. are a separate train.
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There is a separate train running for freight.
 
lenaitch said:
I rode it years ago when you could stand at the rear vestibule and watch the horizon slowly undulate back and forth. Even with diligent track inspections, it still impacts the speed.

Although I guess it is technically a 'mixed', I don't think the PBX hauls general freight anymore. There are chain cars for vehicles and they will include a box car for flag stop canoes/ATVs/MSVs and animal carcasses. I think general freight, tankers, etc. are a separate train.
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The PBX was a bit boring. One roundtrip was enough. However, I was lucky enough to ride the 'local' two or three times a year, and riding the 'local' was always interesting. Only rode it southbound, but it stopped everywhere and those getting on and off were always interesting to sit with, share a sandwich, and listen.
 
just east of the creek said:
The PBX was a bit boring. One roundtrip was enough. However, I was lucky enough to ride the 'local' two or three times a year, and riding the 'local' was always interesting. Only rode it southbound, but it stopped everywhere and those getting on and off were always interesting to sit with, share a sandwich, and listen.
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The PBX is the local. I think at one time there was a true 'mixed' that provided local flag service plus a seasonal passenger-only end-to-end run but it is all one now, five days a week.
 
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