Summer morning in Lakeville, Carleton County

The long shadows show that it is still early on this June 1965 morning in Lakeville.  The Alco S-4 switcher is spotting freight cars that were transferred from the Avondale yard during the overnight shift, while early risers wait on the platform for No. 14, the Capital City Commuter.  Soon they will be reading the morning paper while enjoying a hearty breakfast in the dining car as they make their way across Carleton and northern York counties on their way to Fredericton (click photo to enlarge). 

First Train from Lakeville

Although not even an “official” train, the Carleton Railway ran a special Saturday passenger consist today from the new station in Lakeville to test the newly laid track and provide a complimentary train ride for residents of the growing Carleton County community.  In addition to the coaches, lounge cars, and dining car, the Carleton Railway’s “Island Park” executive car was tagged on the back of the train so management could inspect the new line.  The new station platform concrete is barely dry and the large industries along the east side of the tracks have just begun receiving supplies.  The new Lakeville Industrial District is located just west of Avondale (on the upper level, directly above Northampton in the old furnace room).  With the track-laying, ballasting, and wiring now complete and basic ground cover installed, many additional details remain to be added but railway operations can now begin. 

 (Tap the photo below to enlarge)

Operationally, the addition of the new community will affect the railway in at least three ways:
1)  It effectively adds a tenth west-end staging track.  Each day, the Capital City Commuter passenger train will originate from the main station track in Lakeville and return there at the end of each day.  That will free up a staging track in West Avondale.      
2)  With several industries and spots for more than 20 freight cars, this industrial switching area will provide additional destinations for a large number of freight cars.  
3)  Although I do not anticipate active switching in Lakeville during the regular three-hour operating sessions, the yard will be switched by the Avondale switch crew during the shorter "night shift" sessions that happen between full operating sessions.  
I am also considering the possibility of having a small passenger train (probably Budd RDCs) bring workers from South Newbridge and intermediate points to Lakeville each morning with a return trip each evening.