New Brunswick Railfan Information

New Brunswick has 2 active railways. Canadian National (CN) is the only class I railway in the province, while the New Brunswick Southern Railway (NBSR) is the other active line. VIA Rail Canada also provides passenger service.

CN operates 4 subdivisions entirely within in the province and 3 that are partially within the borders. The subdivisions entirely within New Brunswick are the Napadogan, Nepisiguit, Newcastle, and Sussex Subdivisions. Those that are partially in the province include the Springhill which enters near Amherst, Pelletier entering near Edmundston, and Mont-Joli near Cambellton. CN interchanges with the NBSR at Island Yard in Saint John.

The NBSR is part of the J.D. Irving Limited family of companies operating under the Irving Transportation Services division. The railway operates 3 subdivisions in New Brunswick. These Subdivisions are the McAdam, Mattawamkeag, and St. Stephen Subdivisions. The Mattawamkeag Subdivision crosses into Maine where sister company Eastern Maine Railway operates the remainder of the line. NBSR has also leased a portion of the Sussex Subdivision from CN beyond mile 83.5 which includes Island Yard and all industrial spurs/trackage. CN has access to the Courtenay Bay Potash Terminal over some of this track.