Locomotive returns to Iroquois Falls after more than a decade

More than a decade later, a locomotive is returning to Iroquois Falls; the locomotive was last used in 2014, when the paper mill shut down.

Residents in Iroquois Falls are marking the return of locomotive DESX 1305.

The locomotive was a common sight in the community until 2014, when the paper mill shut down, halting the locomotive in its tracks.

“The mill was the primary user of that track and the locomotive was sold to a different company,” said Olga Patronik of the BMI Group.

“BMI acquired the property and then recently launched Abitibi Connex in July of 2025. We’ve been working with the ONR to reinstate the rail, and all credit to them, they’ve … they’ve invested quite a bit of money putting the rail back in. They finish that in October of this year.”

Mayor Tory Delaurier said the return of the locomotive is great news.

“It’s been over a decade since this train’s been in Iroquois Falls,” Delaurier said.

“It’s encouraging because … the build in for the Moosonee hospital is about to happen and we’re going to be the ones that supply the material to the Moosonee hospital.”

Abitibi Connex

“(The rail) was finished in October, that kind of opened the gate for the locomotive to come back, specifically on site under the new Abitibi Connex colours and with its new renewed purpose,” Patronik said.

George Pirie, Ontario’s Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth, said the “reinstallation of short-line rail access at the Abitibi industrial site marks a critical milestone in advancing long-term northern development.”

“Our community is rebuilding itself, and our population even went up a little bit,” Delaurier added.

“We have a lot of new small businesses coming to town, so that’s encouraging … We’ve had a lot of new people come to the community since the pandemic … So it’s a great opportunity, and we’re looking at a very bright future.”

“Iroquois Falls is a fantastic community that demonstrates the depth and skill of papermakers,” Patronik said.

“They can apply their skills to a number of different industries.”

Patronik said the return of the locomotive will be in full swing within the next month after ensuring community members relearn safety surrounding the newly operational train tracks.

“They haven’t had this train in town for a really long time,” she said.

“So people cross the tracks -- people, kids, play on the tracks. And we’re really hoping to make everybody -- kids and parents -- aware of this new use.”