CNR Service Cut Spur Ire Of Patrons, Published 17 September 1958 Arnprior, Renfrew and area residents are up in arms. The Canadian National Railways is closing down passenger service on the Ottawa-Barry's Bay line. The historic old line which extends 112.3 miles west toward the wilds of Algonquin Park and serves Arnprior, Renfrew and Eganville threatens to go into historic discard. The CNR has applied to the Board of Transport Commissioners for permission to discontinue the passenger service. Communities and townships along the line have not taken this lying down. They have demanded a hearing, and have retained the firm of Mulvihill and Greene in Arnprior to look after their interests. The Board of Transport today said their docket was full at the moment and they could not set a date for the hearing. But a date will be set as soon as possible. Lawyer J. J. Greene of Arnprior accuses the railway of taking "a very narrow view". "The CNR peopie have their heads in the sand," said Greene. "They are abandoning a whole undeveloped area; this section now being closed down will some day be a great tourist area." The town of Renfrew is taking action. Other communities and townships planning to protest before the Board of Transport Commissioners, according to the board, include the villages of Killaloe. Eganville and Barry's Bay, the townships of Gratton. Haggerty, Algona (North and South), Sherwood, Jones and Burns. Also protesting are the townships of Admaston, Fitzroy and Huntley. The closing down of the Barry's Bay line marks the third branch out of Ottawa which has been closed down for passenger service within the year. The Ottawa-Prescott line no longer has passenger trains, nor has the New York Central to Cornwall. But the NYC went one better. It tore up the track! |