Trackside Log for Saturday, May 31, 2003

I didn't have any real grand plans for this Saturday. I did, however, drive over to the Huron Central Railway yard to find a pair of GP9s coupled together. I took a couple of photographs.

• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - Huron Central power - HCRY 204-HCRY 201

My next goal was to photograph the northbound Algoma Central passenger train. I drove north along the line to find a photogenic location for the picture. The 6th Line East crossing in Odena seemed to work.

• Odena, Ontario - AC 1 north - CN 9541

I also drove farther north and photographed the station at Searchmont.

After wiling the time away I drove to Heyden to photograph the southbound Algoma Central passenger train as it snaked along the river in Heyden that afternoon.

• Heyden, Ontario - AC 2 south - CN 9540

After a few photographs of a picturesque vista from the side of the Trans-Canada Highway I returned to Sault Ste. Marie.

Trackside Log for Friday, May 30, 2003

Another day, another empty ore train with another Wisconsin Central SD45. Like before I was able to see the train approaching at lunch time. This time, however, I drove to the swing bridge over the canal for a photograph.

• Steelton, Ontario - CN 412 south empty ore - WC 7524

This train was getting to be a habit. Unfortunately it was a rather dismal, overcast day.

Trackside Log for Wednesday, May 28, 2003

The same three engines were parked in the Huron Central Railway's yard this morning but were shuffled around. I took a couple photographs before continuing to work at Algoma Steel.

• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - Huron Central power - HCRY 3012
• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - Huron Central power - HCRY 204-HCRY 201

I really enjoyed my office window. Once again at lunch time I was able to espy the empty ore train staged in the Canadian National yard. I dashed out to take another photograph of the SD45 in front of the Algoma Steel plant.

• Steelton, Ontario - CN 412 south empty ore - WC 7528

It was nice to see some of the Wisconsin Central SD45s around. It would have been even better if the Algoma Central SD40s were still running, but I'd missed that era.

Trackside Log for Tuesday, May 27, 2003

Once again I passed by the Huron Central Railway yard on my way to work at Algoma Central Steel. I took a few photographs of what was available.

• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - Huron Central power - HCRY 204-HCRY 3012
• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - Huron Central power - HCRY 201

As the day before I was able to see the empty ore train starting to move out of the Canadian National yard. I walked down to the main entrance of the steel plant for a photograph.

• Steelton, Ontario - CN 412 south empty ore - WC 7526

After a few minutes I was back at work.

Trackside Log for Monday, May 26, 2003

St. Mary's Paper had their GE 80-ton switcher out shunting pulpwood cars this morning in front of the Algoma Steel plant. How convenient.

• Steelton, Ontario - St. Mary's Paper switcher - SMP 775-52-1

At about lunch time Canadian National had a former Algoma Central GP7 delivering a couple more pulpwood cars to the St. Mary's Paper plant. Shortly thereafter train 412 south, the empty ore train, arrived and headed across the border to Michigan.

• Steelton, Ontario - CN switcher - WC 1502 (running to St. Mary's Paper past Algoma Steel)
• Steelton, Ontario - CN 412 south empty ore - IC 6203-WC 3007

The office I worked in at Algoma Steel was very convenient. My window looked north directly at the south end of the former Algoma Central yard. I was able to see any southbound trains coming with plenty of time to walk out for a photograph.

Trackside Log for Sunday, May 25, 2003

This morning was another beautiful sunny day. This worked out well for my primary goal of the 195 mile drive north: VIA Rail RDC cars. VIA only uses RDCs on two routes in all of Canada. This, the run from Sudbury to White River, and on Vancouver Island. I got up nice and early, checked out of the Continental Motel made the short trek to the station. Before the RDCs arrived I found Canadian Pacific train 434 in the yard.

• White River, Ontario - CP 434 east - CP 6001-CP 5956
• White River, Ontario - VIA 186 east - VIA 6205-VIA 6250

After the RDCs departed town I hung around to photograph several trains that were in the area including a work train parked in the yard. Oh, and I also had time to photograph the "Winnie the Pooh" monument.

• White River, Ontario - CP work - STLH 5614-CP 5693
• White River, Ontario - CP eastbound - CP 8604-CP 8655
• White River, Ontario - CP 110 east - CP 9502-CP 8642
• White River, Ontario - CP 120 east - CP 5922-CP 6049-CP 5737

Once the trains dried up I headed back south toward Sault Ste. Marie. It was a fairly long drive and I had to go back to work at Algoma Steel. By the time I got to Steelton it had clouded over but I decided to photograph the Algoma Central southbound passenger in front of the Algoma Steel entrance anyway.

• Steelton, Ontario - AC 2 south - CN 9540

It had been a very productive weekend photographically and I was tired.

Trackside Log for Saturday, May 24, 2003

For my first weekend in Sault Ste. Marie I decided to make the trek north to the White River area. The former Algoma Central Soo Subdivision runs through wilderness with little access along the route. I wasn't hearing anything on the scanner so I drove directly to Hawk Junction to see what might be happening there. I also planned to find the passenger train there for a photograph. I got lucky and discovered train 11 north too.

• Hawk Junction, Ontario - AC 11 north - CN 5616-CN 5600
• Hawk Junction, Ontario - AC 2 south - CN 9541

Having photographed the only two trains on the line I continued north.

At this time of year in Northern Ontario you have to be very careful driving on the Trans-Canada Highway. It's very common to find moose on the road. To get an idea of how truly brutal the black flies are in the area, they chase the moose out of the forest and into the open. Yikes! Well, I did encounter several moose along the road but successfully navigated to White River without incident and enough light for some photographs of the Canadian Pacific Railway. I headed west on the Heron Bay Subdivision to check it out.

• Heron Bay, Ontario - CP westbound - CP 9135-CP 9681-CP 5965
• Heron Bay, Ontario - CP westbound - CP 9138-CP 9534

The sun was quickly heading toward the horizon so I made my way back to White River and checked into the Continental Motel for the night.

Trackside Log for Thursday, May 22, 2003

This morning while passing by the Huron Central yard I noticed that some of the power had been moved around so I took a quick few photographs before heading into Algoma Steel for the day.

• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - Huron Central Railway power - HCRY 201-HCRY 3011

Also adjacent to Algoma Steel is the St. Mary's Paper mill. Today I found them switching paper cars in front of the steel plant with their GE 80-ton switcher.

• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - St. Mary's Paper switcher - SMP 775-52-1

Today after work I decided to meet the Algoma Central passenger train at the station across the road from my hotel. Unfortunately at this point, with Canadian National now operating it, the motive power was a crappy looking GP40-2W.

• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - AC 2 south - CN 9541

At least the rail cars were still painted for the Algoma Central.

Trackside Log for Wednesday, May 21, 2003

Since the Travelodge in Sault Ste. Marie is located very near to the Huron Central Railway yard I began making a habit of swinging by it before heading to Algoma Steel. It was easy to photograph the bright orange engines parked there before work.

• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - Huron Central Railway power - HCRY 201
• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - Huron Central Railway power - HCRY 204
• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - Huron Central Railway power - HCRY 3013-HCRY 3010

Trackside Log for Tuesday, May 20, 2003

This was my first day at Algoma Steel for my three week IBM contract. I didn't get up to much but decided to scope out the Canadian National yard adjacent to the steel plant. I discovered a Wisconsin Central GP7 switching over Wellington Street at the north end of the yard.

• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - CN switcher - WC 1502

This is the ex-Algoma Central 101, nee Algoma Central 169. The yard is originally the south end of the Algoma Central's Soo Subdivision.

Trackside Log for Monday, May 19, 2003

This was the day I was heading to Sault Ste. Marie to start a contract at Algoma Steel. I was to set up a WebSphere Host Publisher environment over three weeks. I rented a car and meandered my way north. The idea was to stop here and there to photograph the railways. My first stop was at the Canadian Pacific yard in Mactier.

• Mactier, Ontario - CP southbound - CP 8534-CP 8554

My next destination was the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National interchange at Reynolds/Foley. I heard on the scanner that a Canadian Pacific southbound was on the way. My timing was going to be about perfect. Just as I got out of the car I noticed a large black cloud headed my way. I quickly ducked back into the car to avoid the swarm of black flies. I bundled up tight and braved the horde for a photograph.

• Reynolds (Foley), Ontario - CP southbound - CP 9574-CP 8626

Just after the Canadian Pacific train I heard a Canadian National approaching as well. I continued the short distance north to South Parry for a photograph.

• South Parry, Ontario - CN southbound - CN 2541-CN 9486

I didn't make another stop until I arrived at Sudbury. I headed to the Canadian Pacific yard and the interchange with the Huron Central Railway. There was some Canadian Pacific motive power present but I was more interested in the Huron Central. I found two units to photograph.

• Sudbury, Ontario - Huron Central Railway power - QGRY 2006-HCRY 208

There was little activity in Sudbury so I decided to make my way west toward Sault Ste. Marie. The idea was to follow the Huron Central Railway the whole way. Highway 17, the Trans-Canada Highway, runs parallel most of the way. I'd only driven about 18 miles before I stumbled upon train 912 east.

• White Fish, Ontario - HCRY 912 east - HCRY 3013-HCRY 3010-HCRY 3012

It was still fairly early in the day so I decided to wait for the train to turn around and head back to Sault Ste. Marie. After a couple hours I heard it approaching.

• White Fish, Ontario - HCRY 911 west - HCRY 3010-HCRY 3013

Since we were both headed to Sault Ste. Marie I decided to follow the train and photograph it at a variety of locations. My first waypoint was Lively.

• Lively, Ontario - HCRY 911 west - HCRY 3010-HCRY 3013
• McKerrow, Ontario - HCRY 911 west - HCRY 3010-HCRY 3013
• Webbwood, Ontario - HCRY 911 west - HCRY 3010-HCRY 3013

Trains run rather slowly on the Huron Central's Webbwood and McKerrow Subdivisions so it was an easy chase. However, after Webbwood the day was getting on so I decided to call off the chase. My timing was rather perfect considering I heard on the scanner that the train was on the ground at mile 58 in Massey, the next town west of Webbwood. With nothing left to see I drove directly to Sault Ste. Marie and checked into the Travelodge for three weeks.

Trackside Log for Sunday, May 18, 2003

• Newtonville, Ontario - CP 138 east - CP 5577-CP 6076-SOO 6611
• Newtonville, Ontario - CN ???bound - CN 2667-CN 5458
• Newtonville, Ontario - CP 241 west - CP 9516-UP 7020
• Newtonville, Ontario - CP 122 east - CP 5865-CP 5873-CP 5844
• Newtonville, Ontario - VIA 642 east - VIA 909
• Newtonville, Ontario - VIA 43 west - VIA 919
• Newtonville, Ontario - CN 106 east - CN 5650-CN 5749
• Newtonville, Ontario - CP 159 west - CP 8605-CP 9676
• Newtonville, Ontario - CN 321 west - CN 5714-CN 553?
• Newtonville, Ontario - CN 366 east - CN 5706 +1
• Wesleyville, Ontario - VIA 57 west - VIA 6406
• Wesleyville, Ontario - VIA 61 west - VIA 917
• Wesleyville, Ontario - VIA 43 west - VIA 910
• Port Hope, Ontario - CN 309 west - CN 5617-CN 2572
• Port Hope, Ontario - CN 148 east - CN 2514-CN 5503-CN 5663
• Port Hope, Ontario - CP 121 west - CP 5874-CP 5746-CP 5701
• Port Britain, Ontario - CN 149 west - CN 2578-CN 5723
• Port Britain, Ontario - CN 365 west - CN 5602 +4
• Port Britain, Ontario - VIA 65 west - VIA 920

Trackside Log for Thursday, May 15, 2003

• Guelph Junction, Ontario - CP 123 west - CP 5575-CP 5656-CP 5668
• Guelph Junction, Ontario - CP 159 west - CP 9584-CP 9631

Trackside Log for Sunday, May 11, 2003

• Bayview Junction, Ontario - VIA 70 east - VIA 6426/VIA 6406
• Bayview Junction, Ontario - VIA 97 west - AMTK 816

Trackside Log for Saturday, May 10, 2003

• Campbellville, Ontario - CP ???bound - SOO 6044-SOO 6024
• Guelph Junction, Ontario - CP ???bound - SOO 6059-CP 9004
• Guelph Junction, Ontario - CP 142 east - CP 4656-CP 8250
• Guelph Junction, Ontario - CP 123 west - CP 5981-CP 5965-CP 6046
• Guelph Junction, Ontario - CP Hamilton Turn west - CP 4652-CP 4657
• Kitchener, Ontario - Goderich-Exeter power - LLPX 2210
• Kitchener, Ontario - GEXR 431 west - RLK 4096-GEXR 3856-GEXR 4019-GEXR 4046-GEXR 3835
• Kitchener, Ontario - Goderich-Exeter power - GEXR 3843-LLPX 2263

Trackside Log for Thursday, May 8, 2003

• Burlington, Ontario - CN 149 west - CN 2546-CN 2649
• Burlington, Ontario - VIA 75 west - VIA 6426
• Burlington, Ontario - CN 149 west - CN 2546-CN 2649
• Hamilton, Ontario - GO 491 west - GOT 536
• Hamilton, Ontario - GO 493 west - GOT 547

Trackside Log for Wednesday, May 7, 2003

• Lambton, Ontario - CP Lambton Transfer west - CP 5692-CP 5570

Trackside Log for Sunday, May 4, 2003

• Lambton, Ontario - CP power - CP 1607-STLH 1001
• Hamilton, Ontario - Southern Ontario Railway powe - SOR 1201-SOR 1359-SOR 1285
• Hamilton, Ontario - CN 421 east - CN 2413-CN 6008-CN 9671-CN 6402

Trackside Log for Saturday, May 3, 2003

• Georgetown, Ontario - VIA 84 east - VIA 919
• Georgetown, Ontario - CN 385 west - CN 5774-CN 5735-CN 5660
• Georgetown, Ontario - CN 435 west - CN 5635-GCFX 6078-CN 5548-CN 7026
• Georgetown, Ontario - CN 392 east - GCFX 6036-CN 2555
• Georgetown, Ontario - GEXR 432 east - GEXR 3835-GEXR 3843-RLK 4096-GEXR 4019-GEXR 4046-GEXR 3856
• Guelph, Ontario - GEXR 431 west - GEXR 3856-GEXR 4046-GEXR 4019-RLK 4096-GEXR 3843-GEXR 3835
• Ash, Ontario - CN 143 west - CN 5761
• Oakville, Ontario - VIA 98 east - AMTK 805
• Oakville, Ontario - CN power - CN 1430

Trackside Log for Friday, May 2, 2003

• Guelph Junction, Ontario - CP Guelph Junction Turn west - CP 3057-CP 3032
• Guelph Junction, Ontario - CP Hamilton Turn north - CP 4652-CP 4657
• Guelph Junction, Ontario - CP ???bound - CP 8525-SOO 6610-CP 9616
• Guelph Junction, Ontario - CP 247 west - CP 5642-SOO 6010
• Guelph Junction, Ontario - CP 159 west - CP 9514
• Campbellville, Ontario - CP 141 west - CP 8250-CP 4656
• Campbellville, Ontario - CP 123 west - CP 5844-CP 5873-CP 5865
• Campbellville, Ontario - GO 151 west - GOT 528
• Campbellville, Ontario - CP 124 east - CP 5772-CP 5670-CP 5920
• Milton, Ontario - CP 153 west - CP 9656 +1
• Milton, Ontario - CP 421 east - CP 5761-SOO 6045

Trackside Log for Thursday, May 1, 2003

• Lambton, Ontario - CP Obico Industrial west - CP 3032
• Lambton, Ontario - CP stone train east - CP 3057