Montreal, Maine & Atlantic job 213, the Bedford Turn, had a vintage 1928-built Jordan Spreader up front on this cold and windy February day, rolling along Cantons-de-l'Est part of Quebec province with four loaded covered hoppers in tow, bound for J Bertrand mill in Bedford.
Former LMSX B38-8E 8546, one of MMA's 11 unit of this type, had the honours powering the diminutive train that day.
As everything could go bad real quick on plow runs, the former Canadian Pacific spreader picked up an icy farmer crossing and derailed a few miles from here, ending the chase well before reaching Bedford.
8546 and his charge reversed to the nearest public crossing and help was called in order to rerailling the old lady.
Unfortunately, it was the first and only time I managed to catch something moving over the 12.5 mile-long Standbridge subdivision. MMA's spectacular ending after Lac-Mégantic derailment ended service over this little used line at the same time.
For now, trackage still there but the new owner of former MMA assets, the Canadian Pacific, seems not interested to operate the spur anymore.
MMA 213-13
8546
Milepost 5.4 Standbridge Spur
Sainte-Sabine,QC
February 13, 2011
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