Trackside Log for Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Today promised to be hot and oppressive. By 0900 it was already above 20°C and hazy. I still decided to take along my cameras, just in case. When I passed by the Southern Ontario Railway's yard in Garnet I discovered that the power for train 596 had changed rather significantly since the last time I'd looked.

• 0920 Garnet, Ontario - SOR 596 south - CEFX 2014-CEFX 2019-RLK 4095
  

After lunch I had an appointment in Caledonia. Since I have to drive through Hagersville to get there I decided to make a quick stop afterward to photograph what remains of the former crossing of the Canadian National Hagersville Subdivision (now Southern Ontario Railway) and the now abandoned Michigan Central/New York Central Canadian Main Line.

• 1408 Hagersville - Hagersville Diamond
  
  
  

After finishing work I passed by the Southern Ontario Railway again to attempt another photograph. I found the train parked at Garnet once again but this time facing north.

• 1653 Garnet - SOR 597 north - RLK 4095-CEFX 2019-CEFX 2014
  

It was quite hot so I was happy to get back into my vehicle and head home.

Trackside Log for Monday, May 23, 2011

Today was Victoria Day in Canada and I was spending it at home relaxing with Missy. I figured there would be very little activity on the Canadian Pacific Hamilton Subdivision and I was correct. I had inadvertently left my scanner on over night and didn't realise it until a southbound called out the Smithville mile board in the early afternoon. Wow. That is quiet. It was spitting a bit of rain but remained relatively bright so I took Missy over to Sumbler Road for a photograph.

• 1347 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 8790-CITX 3066
  

Traffic is normally rather light on a Monday but this holiday Monday proved especially tough on tonnage. At a mere two cars train 246 was as short as I had seen in quite some time.

Later that night, while Missy and I were outside, the motive power returned on train 247.

• 2240 Fenwick - CP 247 north - CP 8790-CITX 3066

Although longer than two cars it was once again quite short. The detector at mile 28.3 of the Hamilton Subdivision reported 58 axles.

Trackside Log for Sunday, May 22, 2011

This morning was a rather soggy one. After taking Missy for her walk in the drizzle I heard a southbound approaching. I figured why not go see it anyway.

• 1050 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 9784-CP 9754
  

The day improved surprisingly in the afternoon. As I was working with some of my photography I heard train 254 south call out Smithville on the scanner. I took Missy to Sumbler Road to photograph in much better conditions than those proffered for train 246.

• 1518 Fenwick - CP 254 south - CP 9564-CEFX 3127-ICE 6214
  

It was nice to have better weather for the more colourful train.

Trackside Log for Saturday, May 21, 2011

Today was to be the sole sunny day amid two weeks of rain. I had to make good use of it so I decided to head to New York and Pennsylvania where the CSX and Norfolk Southern trains vastly outnumber anything Canadian Pacific or Canadian National can muster. After a thirty minute wait in queue at the Peace Bridge and a thirty second interview with the border guard I drove directly to the railfan park at North Gale Street in Westfield, New York. Moments after I arrived NS train 145 blew through town. Unfortunately I was unable to really see it. But the benefit of going there is that you usually don't have to wait long for another train. CSX didn't fail me.

• 1043 Westfield, NY - CSX Q164 east - CSXT 4776-CSXT 201
  
• 1055 Westfield, NY - CSX eastbound - CSXT 5330-CSXT 5261-CSXT 7571
  
• 1100 Westfield, NY - NS 309 west - NS 6661-NS 6585
  
• 1117 Westfield, NY - CSX Q378 east - CSXT 7349-CSXT 5445
  
• 1131 Westfield, NY - CSX westbound - CSXT 5442-CSXT 801
  
• 1238 Westfield, NY - CSX V831 east - CSXT 5004-CSXT 603
  
• 1248 Westfield, NY - CSX K662 east - CSXT 5423-CSXT 8351
  
• 1311 Westfield, NY - CSX Q160 east - CSXT 9033-CSXT 7656-CSXT 312
  
• 1317 Westfield, NY - CSX Q281 west - CSXT 8440-CSXT 8354
  

From the railfan park I could see a CSX train parked down by the New York Central station. A local informed me that it was a rail train and that the Baltimore & Ohio 175th anniversary caboose was on it. Nice!. When I deemed it time for lunch I swung by to check it out.

• 1324 Westfield, NY - CSX rail train - CSXT 6489-CSXT 2232 w/ caboose CSXT 904000
  

After consuming lunch back at the railfan park I decided upon a change of scenery. After purchasing fuel in Pennsylvania for 44¢ per gallon less than in New York I made my way to Remington Road in North East, Pennsylvania. Just after my arrival I heard the Norfolk Southern dispatcher inform a westbound that it would be meeting train 22K at Ripley, New York. After a short wait I could hear both 22K and a CSX westbound approaching simultaneously.

• 1514 North East, PA - CSX Q109 west - CSXT 5323-CSXT 5476-CSXT 8885
  
• 1515 North East, PA - NS 22K east - NS 9016-NS 9126-NS 9273
  
• 1541 North East, PA - NS 287 west - NS 8935-NS 9891
  
• 1609 North East, PA - CSX Q122 east - CSXT 8776-CSXT 8718-CSXT 7567
  

Once the sun had crossed to the north side of the tracks it was getting more difficult for photography so I headed back eastward in search of better angles. This brought me to the back of an old abandoned industrial building in Ripley, New York where I waited for about two hours.

• 1701 Ripley, NY - CSX westbound - CSXT 606-CSXT 7548
  
• 1741 Ripley, NY - CSX Q161 west - CSXT 7692-CSXT 4571-CSXT 5393
  
• 1746 Ripley, NY - NS 206 east - NS 7623-NS 2523
  

Things were starting to get pretty quiet on the former New York Central and Nickel Plate Road mainlines. Then it occurred to me that the light would be on the opposite side of the rail train in Westfield now. I drove back in order to obtain photographs of the other side of the 175th anniversary caboose.

• 1806 Westfield, NY - CSX rail train - CSXT 6489-CSXT 2232 w/ caboose CSXT 904000
  

It was starting to get a bit late so I continued wending my way back home. I didn't get very far when I could hear CSX train Q119 calling out signals. I stopped off in Brocton, New York to check it out.

• 1848 Brocton, NY - CSX Q119 west - CSXT 5387-CSXT 150-CSXT 5361
  

Shortly after the train passed by the clouds started encroaching on the sun in earnest and I was getting pretty tired. I called it a day and headed for the Canadian border. When I got there only three of the ten open booths were occupied. I drove straight up to booth 13 and was back in Canada in no time.

Trackside Log for Friday, May 20, 2011

What is that big yellow thing in the sky? Yes, the sun finally came back out today for the first time in quite a while. Missy and I were just returning from our evening walk when we heard a Canadian Pacific train approaching from the south. I got my camera and drove over to Farr Street for a look.

• 1725 Fenwick - CP 247 north - CP 8563-CP 8735
  

After the photograph was taken I returned home to get ready for game five of the Western Conference Final between the Houston Aeros and Hamilton Bulldogs.

Trackside Log for Thursday, May 19, 2011

On my way to work this morning I passed by the Southern Ontario Railway's yard in Garnet to see what train 596 looked like. Power for this train gets shuffled around frequently.

• 0928 Garnet - SOR 596 south - RMPX 9431-RLK 4095-RLK 4057
  

The New England Central GP38 was not on the train for the first time I've noticed since its arrival.

Trackside Log for Sunday, May 15, 2011

This evening I was feeling a bit cooped up inside. The weather had been miserable all day and Missy was getting anxious too. I figured Missy would enjoy a drive so I grabbed the camera, just in case, and off we went. I aimed myself toward Port Colborne because the laker Canadian Progress was due at Lock 8 later in the evening. I'd gone no farther than three miles when I heard Canadian Pacific Job 3 talking to Canadian National train 564. Excellent. I was going to be able to see both of them. I first set up at Netherby Road near Canadian National's Southern Yard to catch Job 3 leaving upon completion of their work.

• 1816 Welland - CP Job 3 east - CP 8246-CP 8248
  

When Job 3 departed train 564 was ready to return to home rails. I drove over to Brookfield to catch them still on the Canadian Pacific Hamilton Subdivision.

• 1834 Brookfield - CN 564 south - CN 7080-CN 4710
  

Next I took Missy to Port Colborne for some food and to watch the Canadian Progress in Lock 8. The weather was depressing, but at least we left the house for a bit. And yes, Missy enjoyed the drive.

Trackside Log for Saturday, May 14, 2011

It was an overcast, drizzly day that Missy and I weren't very motivated for. However, I left the scanner on whilst playing solitaire and listening to music by Delain and Dark Princess. Eventually I heard the Canadian Pacific Hamilton Subdivision dispatcher issue a clearance to a northbound ethanol train from Brookfield East to Kinnear. Missy and I went over to Welland Yard to see it in the dampness.

• 1315 Welland - CP 627 north - CP 5958-CITX 2804-DME 6070
  

This was the same locomotive consist from Wednesday's loaded ethanol train minus the CSX C40-8.

Trackside Log for Friday, May 13, 2011

This morning while en route to work I passed by the Southern Ontario Railway's yard in Garnet to see what was there. I was a bit surprised to see the former Canadian National GP40-2W back in town so I stopped for a couple telephoto pictures.

• 1016 Garnet - SOR power - RMPX 9431-NECR 3840-RLK 4057-RLK 4095
  

Then I braved the steady stream of motorcycles in Jarvis. Since this was Friday the 13^th Highway 6, and to a lesser extent Highway 3, was thick with them headed to Port Dover.

Trackside Log for Wednesday, May 11, 2011

It was a beautiful morning for a drive to my 1000 appointment in Hamilton. I took my camera perchance I should encounter something worthy to record. As I was approaching Highway 403 I heard VIA train 70 seeking rule 42 clearance with 6408, the "Coors Light Silver Bullet Express", for power. I detoured to the Burlington GO station for a photograph.

• 0920 Burlington - VIA 70 east - VIA 6408 "Coors Light Silver Bullet Express"
  

After a photograph I was off to the appointment. Afterward I began my journey to work which takes me along Highway 6. In Hagersville I discovered that the Southern Ontario Railway had parked the ex-Canadian National GP40-2W there.

• 1100 Hagersville - SOR power - RMPX 9431

When I got to Jarvis I encountered a the Ontario Provincial Police escorting a Siemens wind turbine move on Highway 3. I found this at the crossing of the Hagersville Subdivision so I figured I'd include it in the trackside log.

• 1125 Jarvis - Siemens wind turbine heading west
  

After my work day was complete I headed back home. I had the scanner on and heard a train call out the mileboard at Boyle. I managed to head it off at River Road south of Fenwick.

• 1733 Fenwick - CP 626 south - CP 5958-CSXT 7555-CITX 2804-DME 6070
  

Once the photographs were taken I returned home to greet Missy.

Trackside Log for Monday, May 9, 2011

I had an appointment in Selkirk today shortly after lunch. I decided to swing by Nanticoke and the Southern Ontario Railway on the way. My timing was excellent. I discovered the New England Central GP38-2 leading a train of primarily empty steel cars just south of Highway 3. I met them in Nanticoke and waited for six tank cars to be delivered to Esso before they dragged the steel cars onto the Stelco Spur.

• 1314 Nanticoke - SOR switcher - NECR 3840-RLK 4057-RLK 4095
  

The empty steel cars are for U.S. Steel's Lake Erie Works. The steel mill is the former Stelco facility along Lake Erie in Nanticoke, Ontario.

Trackside Log for Saturday, May 7, 2011

The prior day I learned that VIA 6408, decorated with "Coors Light Silver Bullet Express" decals had operated on train 75. Since this train set returns to Toronto as train 70 the next morning I decided I would catch it in Aldershot this morning. Missy and I rose early and drove to Lemonville Road for a photograph. We were there with plenty of time and managed to catch the training train first.

• 0847 Aldershot - CN 907 west - CN 2438-CN 2420
  
• 0905 Aldershot - VIA 70 east - VIA 6408 "Coors Light Silver Bullet Express"
  
• 0911 Aldershot - VIA 97 west - AMTK 167
  

After successfully photographing one of the two Silver Bullets and the bonus of "The Maple Leaf" Missy and I drove to Guelph Junction and the Canadian Pacific Galt Subdivision. It had been a very long time since I'd spent any time at the junction. Years ago I spent quite a lot of time there so it was nice to visit again. As I was getting close I heard the Galt Subdivision dispatcher issue a clearance to train 241 with an item four to wait for train 244 at the junction. Perfect timing.

• 1004 Guelph Junction - CP 241 west - CP 8846-CP 8562
  
• 1016 Guelph Junction - CP 244 east - CP 9613-CP 9670
  
• 1404 Guelph Junction - CP 140 east - CP 9808
  
• 1446 Guelph Junction - CP 255 east - SOO 6023-DME 6056-ICE 6413-CP 6017
  
• 1545 Guelph Junction - CP 141 west - CP 9506-CP 9646
  

Traffic died down after train 141 and I was getting tired so Missy and I packed up and returned home. The highlight of Guelph Junction was certainly train 255. And to think that train passed right behind my house while I was sleeping.