The Belleville station was built in 1911 by the CNR. It was shared jointly with CP during 1914-1923. CP Rail bought the station in 1924 and closed it in 1966. It was demolished in December 1976. It was located at mile 92.3 of the Belleville subdivision - May 1973 D. Spaulding.

29 August 2011

Stowaways Removed from Train

Belleville Ontario - Police and CP Rail are reminding the public to stay clear of trains and railways after four stowaways were removed from a train Friday.
 
"It was reported by another train crew passing this train," CP spokesman Kevin Hrysak said.
 
He said the train had begun its run in the United States and was bound for Montreal.
 
The second train's crew contacted CP's operations centre, which in turn notified CP Police and Belleville Police. The train stopped between Newberry Street and Foster Avenue, just southwest of Belleville's police station.
 
"Individuals were found 14 cars back from the engine," Hrysak said.
 
"The offenders were identified and removed from the train," added Belleville Police Sgt. Julie Forestell.
 
She said the unauthorized riders were two 18-year-old men, a 22-year-old man, and a 20-year-old woman. Their hometowns were not available Monday.
 
"All four hopped on the train in Windsor," said Forestell.
 
She said police issued trespassing notices to the four, who were then "sent on their way."
 
Hrysak said stowaways are caught on CP lines "from time to time" but that he did not have statistics on the offence.
 
Forestell called it "a very rare occurrence" in Belleville, though city police are sometimes called to disturbances aboard passenger trains.
 
"This is an opportunity to educate the community about railway safety and fortunately, for all involved this time, there were no injuries," said Forestell. "It is impossible to anticipate when a train will start or stop moving," she said, echoing the CP catchphrase of "stay off, stay away, and stay alive."
 
Hrysak said other people have been hurt or killed while stowing themselves on trains.
 
"You're taking chances with your life. This is an illegal activity and it's extremely dangerous," Hrysak said.
 
Hitching a free but illegal ride has received some media attention in recent years after some cases in Alberta.
 
"Some people were thinking this is a way to see the countryside, but it's very dangerous in an extremely unforgiving way."
 
He said one man hitched a ride on a train last year in Edmonton, but ended up underneath it and suffered "some pretty extensive damage" to his body.
 
Hrysak said CP is still investigating the Belleville case and may yet lay more charges.
 
CP Police enforce the Federal Railway Act. A trespassing charge under the act is a criminal offence, meaning a criminal record and a fine of several hundred dollars if a person is convicted.
 
Luke Hendry.