I designed this Track Plan of the Tri-County CO-OP & Grain Elevator, based on the actual layout of the track, elevator and buildings. This facility is located close to where I live. I have always been fascinated with the operation of this small industry.
This short section of track is all that is left of the Central Ontario Railway, constructed in 1879 and ran from Picton to North of Maynooth.
Eventually I will design a similar facility on my N Scale layout.
I created this plan from walking the line located off Telephone Rd. in Trenton, Ontario. The meeting point between the COR and Canadian National is known as Trenton Junction and was the site of a large Grand Trunk passenger station. Complete with an elevator that would take passengers below to the COR station. Not too shabby for 1902.
Click on the plan for a larger view. Below are photos that I have taken of the area, the white numbers indicate the location of each of the photos.
1. The last section of the Marmora Subdivision extends only as far as the CO-OP, all the rail to the north and south have been removed. The track is still operational and is inspected often, especially in the spring when the heavy cars and locomotives have a tendency to spread the rails in the soft waterlogged ground.
2. Several grain cars can be loaded or unloaded beside the elevator.
3. Looking south along the tracks, towards Trenton Junction. The cars are moved with the Trackmobile stored beside the tracks.
4. A close view of the Trackmobile.
5. Located at the end of the siding is a transfer station to unload liquids from tank cars. Usually fertilizers or ammonia.
6. Looking south from the end of the rail towards the grain elevators. A runaround track allows the local train to drive into the CO-OP from the mainline, along the very busy Toronto - Quebec corridor. Delivering the cars and picking up the old ones and then drive head-on back onto the mainline.
7. The "End of the Line!" Originally built in 1882 and ran north to Wallace, Ontario. The tracks going north were removed in the 1980's. The south section of the Marmora Subdivision was removed in 1996.
8. The Marmora Subdivision joins the CNR mainline at Trenton Junction. The branchline runs below the mainline and to achieve the transition, a very steep elevation was used, as you can see in this photo. This limits the number of rail cars that can be pulled up to the mainline.
9. The once glorious passenger station has since been torn down and a kiosk now functions for passengers waiting for the VIA Train. The CNR mainline at Trenton is one of the busiest in North America. There is constant traffic between Toronto and Quebec, consisting of passenger and a multitude of freight trains.
10. At the turn of the last century, there were four rail yards in Trenton, with three turntables, roundhouses and various shops. The only shop that remains in operation, is this garage that now holds the CN Signals and Communication Shop beside the Trenton Junction bridge.
11. In it's heyday, The Marmora Sub ran approximately 117 miles. Today the track is about one mile long. The junction box located at the grade crossing on Telephone Rd. is still identified by the original mileage on the track.
12. This wonderful scene is captured looking south from the elevator at the Trenton Junction bridge.
Now my challenge is to design and build this elevator for my N Scale layout. I am open to suggestions.
