Brian's Trackside Log

Trackside Log for Wednesday, February 1, 2012

2012-02-01T22:43:00.003-05:00

Well, I haven't been very active with the camera of late. The cause is the weather this winter. It certainly hasn't been very motivational. For someone, like me, who enjoys photography in the snow this has been the ugliest winter I can think of.

Nevertheless, today just as I was just leaving home for an appointment I heard a southbound approaching town. I mustered the energy to get my camera and meet the train at Chantler Road.

0857 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 8819-CP 8632

The motive power was pretty boring but I'm encouraged by the fact that I actually photographed something.

Trackside Log for Saturday, January 7, 2012

2012-01-07T15:03:00.003-05:00

Today I had an appointment in Onondaga. Since I was going to be very close to Brantford I decided to take along my camera and visit the station afterward. My timing upon arrival at the VIA station was superb. The Southern Ontario Railway was just starting to assemble their train to haul toward Nanticoke.

1106 Brantford - SOR 596 south - RLK 4057-CEFX 2015-RMPX 9431

Once they had pulled four tracks to build their train I headed south for some more photography. I didn't quite leave in time though. I got stopped at the Colborne Street crossing and had to wait. Once it cleared I made my way to Onondaga for another photograph.

1207 Onondaga - SOR 596 south - RLK 4057-CEFX 2015-RMPX 9431

My next stop was Forfar Street and the Grand River in Caledonia. A sizable railway bridge crosses the river there that I had previously only photographed one time. Today made two.

1232 Caledonia - SOR 596 south - RLK 4057-CEFX 2015-RMPX 9431

The last waypoint on my trek homeward was the grain elevator in the subdivision's namesake, Hagersville. While waiting for the train to arrive I wandered around with Missy and photographed a 40' boxcar which has been parked in town for quite a long while.

1252 Hagersville - former CN boxcar - CN 72484
1310 Hagersville - SOR 596 south - RLK 4057-CEFX 2015-RMPX 9431

The train began to switch town and I decided it was time to get back home and consume lunch. Considering this train is normally a night operation I feel rather fortunate to have been in the area on a day when it ran in bright sunshine.

Trackside Log for Friday, December 30, 2011

2011-12-30T13:04:00.003-05:00

This afternoon I was at home but not really paying attention to the railways. However, I heard some horns approaching from the south and looked outside to see an empty ethanol train cruise behind my house. The power was from the prior day's loaded ethanol train.

1300 Fenwick - CP 627 north - CP 6228-CITX 3102-ICE 6418-CITX 2796

Trackside Log for Thursday, December 29, 2011

2011-12-29T17:10:00.004-05:00

I was at home organising family photographs and discovered via e-mail that an ethanol train was on its way. I left the scanner on in the background and eventually heard CP 6228 announce the Smithville mile board. I walked over to Foss Road with Missy for a photograph of the former SOO 6028.

1537 Fenwick - CP 626 south - CP 6228-CITX 3102-ICE 6418-CITX 2796

The train was quite colourful on a dull winter day. Nonetheless, it was the first rebuilt SOO SD60 I'd seen. The remaining roster of SD60s is in the process of being rebuilt and renumbered into the 6200s by CAD in Montreal.

Trackside Log for Tuesday, December 27, 2011

2011-12-27T17:18:00.003-05:00

Well, it's after Christmas and the hustling and bustling is over. Marcus and I scheduled the day to meet up and see if Canadian National would present some trains. I picked him up at the Aldershot GO station just after the Maple Leaf departed. While he was getting into my vehicle train 393 cruised through the station. We decided to head it off at Copetown.

0947 Copetown - CN 393 west - CN 5708-CN 2689
1114 Copetown - CN 331 west - CN 2682-CN 2505
1246 Copetown - VIA 72 east - VIA 905

After a pretty slow morning in Copetown that was getting very damp we headed back to Aldershot. While passing by Bayview Junction we noticed VIA train 63 wying their train. We managed to catch it at Lemonville Road heading east.

1315 Aldershot - VIA 63 east - VIA 909

The dreary weather was not very motivational so we decided to call it a day.

Trackside Log for Friday, December 9, 2011

2011-12-09T18:07:00.003-05:00

I had an appointment in Hamilton today at noon. With no other appointments afterward I took Missy to Lemonville Road in Aldershot to see if Canadian National had anything going on.

1300 Aldershot - VIA 73 west - VIA 6440
1342 Aldershot - CN 382 east - CN 2552
1426 Aldershot - CN 551 west - CN 7080-CN 7068
1437 Aldershot - CN 435 west - CN 2558-CN 5627

After watching some traffic under the overcast skies Missy and I headed for home.

Trackside Log for Sunday, December 4, 2011

2011-12-04T18:10:00.002-05:00

I was out with Missy today on a photographic project. One of my destinations was the Miller Road bridge over what was once the Michigan Central Canada Division Main Line. The track was removed in 2002. I decided to create a panorama from below the bridge. The following photograph is a composite of twenty individual exposures.

1229 near Cook's Mills - Miller Road bridge

I found the apparatus used for the telegraph wires quite interesting.

Trackside Log for Saturday, December 3, 2011

2011-12-03T10:54:00.002-05:00

This morning was a bit chilly, but sunny. The puddles had a thin cover of ice but the warm sun was melting it away. I had the scanner tuned into Canadian Pacific's Hamilton Subdivision and heard a southbound announce the Smithville mile board. I took Missy out to Chantler Road for a photograph.

1002 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 9732-CP 9680

Trackside Log for Thursday, December 1, 2011

2011-12-01T23:06:00.002-05:00

I was on my way home from work today and, since the weather was rather nice, I swung by Nanticoke to see if the Southern Ontario Railway was switching Esso. Good fortune was with me as they were just about to cross Concession 3 and head into the refinery to switch.

1442 Nanticoke - SOR southbound - CEFX 2015-RLK 4057-RMPX 9431

The leased GP20D joins mates 2006, 2014 and 2019 on the Southern Ontario Railway. The other three had been working the Hagersville Subdivision for quite some time so last week's power change was welcome.

Trackside Log for Saturday, November 26, 2011

2011-11-26T22:05:00.002-05:00

Today I was roving around the Niagara area on a photography project. One of the subjects I was interested in was the old bridge on the former Niagara, St. Catharines & Toronto spanning Oakdale Avenue in Merritton. When I arrived at the location I quickly discovered that all the brush and trees had been hewn away from the high fill on which the tracks were once laid. I then determined that the bridge was scheduled for demolition in a mere three days.

1243 Merritton - former NSC&T bridge

While photographing the old concrete bridge I heard air horns to the west. I took a moment to photograph the eastbound Canadian National freight.

1253 Merritton - CN eastbound - CN 4784-CN 1444-CN 4140

After the train passed I returned to continue photographing the bridge.

Trackside Log for Sunday, November 6, 2011

2011-11-06T11:41:00.006-05:00

Today was the first day back on standard time. This means I won't be able to photograph anything after work until spring. But today was Sunday, so when I awoke with my extra morning hour of sunshine I turned on the scanner to discover Canadian Pacific train 254 working in Welland Yard. I waited until they were nearly finished before taking Missy to the tunnel under the Welland Canal for a photograph.

1034 Welland - CP 254 south - CP 9656

I've wanted to photograph a ship passing over a train at that tunnel for many years. Today was another near miss. The Algoma Provider sailed by approximately ten minutes before train 254 arrived. Maybe next time.

Later in the afternoon train 246 made an unannounced appearance in town. I drove to River Road for a photograph of the colourful consist.

1358 Fenwick - CP 246 south - SOO 6031-CEFX 3172-CP 8841-CP 8888

Upon my arrival at home I heard on the scanner that a loaded ethanol train was departing Hamilton. After a while the crew of train 626 called out the Smithville mile board so I took Missy to photograph the train between Webber Road and River Road. Here the track is high on a fill: a perfect location for late day light. I had never photographed the location before so I took the opportunity.

1559 Fenwick - CP 626 south - CP 8846-CP 9600

Train 255 was waiting in Welland Yard for the ethanol train so after walking back to our vehicle Missy and I drove to Farr Street for a photograph. By now the light was fading fast, but there was still enough.

1637 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 9767-CP 8796-CP 9550-CP 8950

Canadian Pacific has kept to their pattern of running the new ES44ACs through town in low or no light when I'm at home.

Trackside Log for Saturday, November 5, 2011

2011-11-05T18:08:00.003-04:00

It was a fantastic day and I spent it around home puttering away on a few projects. I left the scanner on in the background but it was pretty quiet until mid-afternoon when I heard train 246 report the south siding switch in Smithville restored to the normal position. Missy and I walked out to the tracks to watch it pull around the curve through town.

1417 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 8732-CP 9778

As dusk was approaching train 255 arrived at Welland Yard. What I thought was to be a quick lift there turned into a longer switching session. Alas, by the time the train rolled through town it was rather dark. I elected to merely watch the train with Missy.

1800 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 8671-CP 8833

Trackside Log for Monday, October 31, 2011

2011-10-31T23:12:00.003-04:00

I was just about to take Missy to Welland for some photography and a walk along the Welland Canal when I heard a train approaching from the south. The new plan was to walk back to the tracks for a photograph of the northbound before the drive to Welland.

1644 Fenwick - CP northbound - CP 8212-CP 8200

What we saw was the yard power taking a pair of pipe loads to Cappco in Smithville.

Trackside Log for Saturday, October 29, 2011

2011-10-29T23:08:00.004-04:00

I had learned that one of the Amtrak 40th anniversary P42s was to be on the "Maple Leaf" this morning. I decided to drive to Niagara Falls to photograph it at the station.

1018 Niagara Falls - VIA 97 east - AMTK 145

In my opinion a P42 looks rather good in that old Amtrak paint scheme. I wouldn't mind seeing more just like it.

While the "Maple Leaf" prepared to cross the border into New York I took some photographs of VIA train 92 waiting for departure. I hadn't photographed it with Renaissance cars before.

1027 Niagara Falls - VIA 92 west - VIA 917

Trackside Log for Friday, October 28, 2011

2011-10-28T17:11:00.003-04:00

Today I was heading to work after an appointment on the 9th Concession Walpole. Since the Southern Ontario Railway's Garnet Yard was nearby on the 8th Concession Walpole I chose that route. My timing was about perfect. They were in the process of splitting up les trois amis to take two separate trains south.

1111 Garnet - SOR southbound - CEFX 2014

Once CEFX 2014 coupled onto the freight for Lake Erie Steel it pulled out of the yard and headed to Nanticoke.

1115 Garnet - SOR southbound - CEFX 2014

Not long after CEFX 2014 vacated Garnet the second train with traffic for the Esso refinery departed for Nanticoke.

1123 Garnet - SOR southbound - CEFX 2006-CEFX 2019

Once the activity had abated I continued the short drive to work.

Trackside Log for Monday, October 24, 2011

2011-10-24T22:11:00.002-04:00

Today I had the scanner on while driving home from work. While driving through Wellandport I heard a southbound led by a Soo Line SD60 obtain a clearance from Smithville to Brookfield. I had plenty of time to get home, collect Missy and my camera, and drive to River Road for a photograph.

1734 Fenwick - CP 626 south - SOO 6044-ICE 6449-ICE 6444-CEFX 3164

Not long afterward the local to Smithville returned as well.

1740 Fenwick - CP southbound - CP 8200-CP 8212

Soon after that the sun was setting. It's starting to get dark very early now.

Trackside Log for Sunday, October 23, 2011

2011-10-23T21:32:00.004-04:00

Once again Sam and I awoke at the Comfort Inn in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After breakfast we began our journey back to Ontario. As is often the case with me, it wasn't a direct journey. After stopping in Dexter for apple cider and fresh doughnuts our route took us to Hell. For about twenty years I've been talking about visiting Hell, Michigan. Today I checked that off my "to do list".

After stopping for a bit in Durand, finding nothing parked in the yard, and nothing moving on the Grand Trunk Western, we drove eastward to Port Huron. The only stop of note was in Lapeer where I photographed the Lapeer Industrial Railroad's 65 ton engine.

1449 Lapeer, MI - Lapeer Industrial power - LIRR 5

Next it was on to Port Huron where I photographed the Grand Republic in the St. Clair River. We spent an hour on the Blue Water Bridge and ate supper at Swiss Chalet before driving back home. It wasn't the most successful day of photography, but it was pleasant.

Trackside Log for Saturday, October 22, 2011

2011-10-22T21:01:00.004-04:00

Yesterday Sam and I drove to Ann Arbor, Michigan so Sam could visit the Fiber Show. I was tagging along for company and a little road trip. After breakfast at the Comfort Inn I dropped Sam off at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds and started to explore. My first destination was Adrian to see the Adrian & Blissfield Railroad. Upon arrival I found one of their GP9s parked beside a playground.

1103 Adrian, MI - Adrian & Blissfield power - ADBF 1759

Nothing else was visible in town and the former Wabash tracks were all quiet so I followed the Adrian & Blissfield to its other namesake. Here I found two more GP9s, the Old Road Dinner Train cars, and a variety of other rolling stock.

1136 Blissfield, MI - Adrian & Blissfield power - ADBF 1751
1138 Blissfield, MI - Adrian & Blissfield power - ADBF 1755
1145 Blissfield, MI - Adrian & Blissfield station
1147 Blissfield, MI - Old Road Dinner Train cars

After the photographs I continued my exploration. I followed the Adrian & Blissfield to Riga and their connection with the Indiana & Ohio. Nothing interesting was there so I then followed the Indiana & Ohio to Diann and their connection with the Ann Arbor Railroad where I found a tower and parked interchange traffic. Again with no activity present I followed the Ann Arbor north to the connection with Norfolk Southern in Milan. As I was crossing the former Wabash tracks I noticed a green signal for a westbound. I picked a decent location in town and waited.

1341 Milan, MI - NS westbound - NS 8905-NS 9335

I decided now that the sun angle had moved around to head back to the Adrian & Blissfield again since there wasn't much other activity to be seen. Once again I found the GP9 next to the playground in Adrian.

1431 Adrian, MI - Adrian & Blissfield power - ADBF 1759

And then back to Blissfield for another look at the rusty 1755.

1455 Blissfield, MI - Adrian & Blissfield power - ADBF 1755

It was now approaching the time I agreed to pick Sam back up from the expo so I made my way back north to Ann Arbor. Sam enjoyed the show and I enjoyed exploring some of southern Michigan.

Trackside Log for Sunday, October 16, 2011

2011-10-16T10:47:00.004-04:00

I was outside with Missy this morning when a northbound rolled through town. It was train 247 with the power from yesterday's trains 246 and 626.

1045 Fenwick - CP 247 north - CP 8883-CP 8879-CEFX 3120-CITX 3071-CITX 3079-CP 5964

Then in the evening when I took Missy out for her walk the second loaded ethanol train of the weekend passed by.

1730 Fenwick - CP 626 south - CP 8824-ICE 6411-SOO 6062

Trackside Log for Saturday, October 15, 2011

2011-10-15T10:20:00.003-04:00

This morning was windy, cool, and cloudy but I turned the scanner on to listen for activity on the Canadian Pacific Hamilton Subdivision. Before very long a southbound arrived in town so I took Missy to River Road for a photograph.

0851 Fenwick - CP 626 south - CP 5964-CITX 3079-CITX 3071-CEFX 3120

The train stopped at River Road to wait for permission over the next crossing which was being replaced. I decided to drive to the south end of Welland Yard for a second photograph.

0917 Welland - CP 626 south - CP 5964-CITX 3079-CITX 3071-CEFX 3120

That afternoon I heard train 246 approaching and decided to take Missy to Sumbler Road to have a look. It was grey and overcast but only raining slightly.

1433 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 8883-CP 8879

Trackside Log for Thursday, October 13, 2011

2011-10-13T19:04:00.002-04:00

From a purely photographic point of view shortline railways can get a little boring. Their motive power is quite static so one tends to photograph the same locomotives frequently. This morning I was passing by the Southern Ontario Railway in Garnet on my way to work and noticed the fuel truck arriving. I decided a scene of the fuel truck alongside les trois amis was interesting enough that I would pause for a photograph.

0913 Garnet - SOR 596 south - CEFX 2019-CEFX 2006-CEFX 2014

Trackside Log for Monday, October 10, 2011

2011-10-10T10:30:00.004-04:00

It was Thanksgiving morning and I wasn't planning to do very much. I did turn on the scanner when I got up and after a while heard train 255 obtain a clearance out of Welland Yard. I took Missy for a look.

0951 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 8871-CP 6034

Trackside Log for Sunday, October 9, 2011

2011-10-09T13:48:00.006-04:00

This morning I decided to go to Niagara Falls to see the "Maple Leaf" since it had been quite a long time. I took Missy down to the Victoria Avenue overpass and waited. The train arrived a half hour late having been delayed by a ship at the Welland Canal.

1046 Niagara Falls - VIA 97 east - AMTK 117

After photographing the train passing by a very sad looking Canadian National yard I drove to the VIA station for a couple more photographs. This is when I noticed that AMTK 117 is quite the "bondo buggy."

1054 Niagara Falls - VIA 97 east - AMTK 117

Next Missy and I started to head for home. When I arrived at Clifton I saw Canadian National train 421 entering the Stamford Subdivision. The new plan was to drive to Allanburg to photograph it since one can easily beat a train between the two locations.

1126 Allanburg - CN 421 east - CN 8840-IC 2719-CN 5704

Train 421 always sets off traffic in Port Robinson so I had plenty of time to drive ahead to photograph it again. I chose Brookfield for my next destination. Normally the train also sets off a locomotive so I expected the CN 5704 to be missing.

1216 Brookfield - CN 421 east - CN 8840-IC 2719

Having now photographed the train twice I drove home with a side trip to Canadian Pacific's Welland Yard. My timing at Phillips Road was uncanny. Just as I drove over the crossing I could see a southbound departing.

1235 Welland - CP 246 south - CP 9532-CP 9610

What was originally intended to be a short jaunt to Niagara Falls to see the "Maple Leaf" turned into a bit of a tour of Niagara. Fortunate timing can be quite entertaining.

Trackside Log for Saturday, October 8, 2011

2011-10-08T13:19:00.003-04:00

This morning as Missy and I were getting up train 246 south rolled through town. I just listened to the train since the sun wasn't quite up yet. But when I turned the scanner a little later on I heard train 247 obtain a clearance to proceed north out of Welland Yard. Now that the sun was high enough I took Missy over the Chantler Road for a photograph.

0804 Fenwick - CP 247 north - CP 5917-HLCX 8176-DME 6068-CP 6034

Trackside Log for Friday, October 7, 2011

2011-10-07T23:59:00.002-04:00

It was the beginning of the Thanksgiving Day long weekend in Canada. It was to be a beautiful weekend so I elected to take the Friday off. My chosen activity for a fantastic sunny day was to drive over the border and visit Westfield, New York and the former New York Central and Nickel Plate Road tracks. After a relatively straight forward border crossing my first stop was in Dunkirk to see if anything was around. What I found was a parked Union Pacific and a CSX train switching. The CSX train took off on me, but I was easily able to photograph the Union Pacific.

0855 Dunkirk, NY - CSX westbound - CSXT 5309-CSXT 8073
0900 Dunkirk, NY - CSX power - UP 6950

A local was working the east end of the yard in Dunkirk, but I couldn't see it easily. With little other activity in town I made the short drive to my destination, Westfield. I grabbed a quick breakfast from McDonalds and headed for the little railfan park at North Gale Street. Then I waited. Nothing moved for over an hour but then it got busy.

1042 Westfield, NY - CSX westbound - CSXT 5411-CSXT 477 (video)
1047 Westfield, NY - CSX eastbound - CSXT 4719-CSXT 4766-CSXT 7829
1056 Westfield, NY - CSX K385 west - CSXT 4827-CSXT 4789 (video)
1108 Westfield, NY - CSX Q380 east - CSXT 5361-CSXT 7578
1113 Westfield, NY - CSX westbound - CSXT 5309-CSXT 8073

As quickly as the traffic picked up, so too did it taper off. It was another ¾ of an hour before the next train, a Norfolk Southern. It was 1½ hours for the next CSX train.

1156 Westfield, NY - NS 316 east - NS 9607-NS 8954
1242 Westfield, NY - CSX Q227 west - CSXT 8343-CSXT 8098 (video)
1308 Westfield, NY - NS 15M west - NS 9197-NS 6777-NS 6539
1316 Westfield, NY - North Gale Street crossing with numbered tracks
1322 Westfield, NY - NS 287 west - NS 9327
1336 Westfield, NY - CSX eastbound - CSXT 7684-CSXT 614
1337 Westfield, NY - NS 916 east (rail train) - NS 6112-NS 9428
1501 Westfield, NY - CSX eastbound - CSXT 5005-CSXT 8725
1520 Westfield, NY - NS 205 west - NS 9417-NS 9504
1525 Westfield, NY - CSX eastbound - CSXT 5470-CSXT 7511
1535 Westfield, NY - NS 309 west - NS 7586-NS 9030
1541 Westfield, NY - CSX eastbound - CSXT 8714-CSXT 5200
1550 Westfield, NY - CSX eastbound - CSXT 5347-CSXT 8541
1559 Westfield, NY - CSX westbound - CSXT 4756-CSXT 4849-CSXT 696
1603 Westfield, NY - NS 14T east - NS 8887
1616 Westfield, NY - NS 22K east - BNSF 4740-NS 9918-NS 8416

Throughout the afternoon a series of locals arrived and kept the boredom away with some conversation. But the day was getting on so I bid them adieu and began the journey home. Along the way I made one last stop trackside in Brocton where I managed to see a few more trains.

1700 Brocton, NY - CSX eastbound - CSXT 5449-CSXT 7522
1710 Brocton, NY - CSX westbound - CSXT 7318-CSXT 7596
1728 Brocton, NY - NS 206 east - NS 9913-NS 7547
1734 Brocton, NY - CSX westbound - CSXT 724-CSXT 7906-CSXT 7678

After the quick rush of trains things seemed to die down a bit again. This time I drove back to Interstate 90 and straight home. Other than a rather slow afternoon on CSX it was a great day with beautiful weather and more Norfolk Southern trains than I'm accustomed to.

Trackside Log for Thursday, October 6, 2011

2011-10-06T18:21:00.003-04:00

On my way to work this morning I once again swung by the Southern Ontario Railway's yard in Garnet. As I was approaching along Concession 8 I saw all three CEFX GP20Ds in plain sight and great light. I made a brief stop for a photograph.

0828 Garnet - SOR 596 south - CEFX 2019-CEFX 2006-CEFX 2014

Since the arrival of the third GP20D, CEFX 2006, I'd been hoping to be able to photograph les trois amis together. Mission accomplished.

Trackside Log for Wednesday, October 5, 2011

2011-10-05T17:37:00.002-04:00

I was on my way out to visit a client this afternoon and decided to take a pass by the Southern Ontario Railway tracks in Nanticoke en route. I found one of the CEFX GP20Ds with a cut of tank cars for Esso parked at the crest of the hill in front of that facility.

1544 Nanticoke - SOR switcher - CEFX 2014

The other two GP20Ds weren't visible in the area. I suspect they were busy working at Lake Erie Steel.

Trackside Log for Tuesday, October 4, 2011

2011-10-04T23:59:00.001-04:00

Today I was driving to Port Dover and Delhi for a pair of appointments. I had some time at lunch so I got my camera and tripod out to photograph some more panoramas. I managed to create three in Simcoe.

The first is the former grade crossing of the Lake Erie & Northern and the Canadian National's Otterville Subdivision (later the Simcoe Subdivision). Both these rights of way are now part of the Lynn Valley Rail Trail.

NOTE: You can download the full resolution image of each panorama by clicking the “download” button at the left above the photograph after clicking the thumbnails.

1244 Simcoe - LE&N Crossing

Next I drove a little north to where the three tracks of the Canadian National and Wabash's Cayuga Subdivision passed over the Lake Erie & Northern. The trees have formed a decent canopy but the LE&N tracks are down there.

1312 Simcoe - CN Cayuga Sub Overpass

My final stop in Simcoe was the former Simcoe Junction location. This is where, a long time ago, the Canadian National and Wabash's Cayuga Subdivision passed over the Canadian National's Otterville Subdivision. However the Otterville Subdivision was abandoned in 1935 from this point north to Otterville. From Simcoe Junction to Port Dover then became the Simcoe Subdivision. The bridge was replaced by fill. If you look closely the eastern concrete bridge abutments are visible in the photograph.

1403 Simcoe - Simcoe Junction

That evening, after Missy's walk, I turned the scanner on. Not long before sunset I heard a soutbound announce the Boyle mile board. It was such a nice evening I drove to River Road to see the train.

1834 Fenwick - CP 254 south - CP 8926-CP 8548-CP 5677

That shiny new ES44AC made the rest of the locomotive consist look rather bad.

Trackside Log for Sunday, October 2, 2011

2011-10-02T10:19:00.010-04:00

This morning I was just returning from a quick trip into town and was stopped at the Church Street crossing for a southbound.

1014 Fenwick - CP 254 south - CP 9835-CP 9671

Considering both the motive power and the rainy weather I wasn't very disappointed to be without my camera.

Just after noon I heard more horns approaching. It was still raining but I needed to get out of the house for a few minutes. I took my camera to River Road for a rainy photograph of train 246.

1237 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 9505-CP 9773

This was the same locomotive consist from train 255 of the day before. Both sides of CP 9505 have lost their CP Rail dual flag logos.

The next train would be after dark. A second 254 of the day was arriving so I took Missy for a short walk to see it. She decided she needed to howl at the train tonight (MPEG4 audio).

2218 Fenwick - CP 254 south - CP 5937-CITX 3066-CITX 3075-ICE 6215

Trackside Log for Saturday, October 1, 2011

2011-10-01T10:40:00.006-04:00

This morning when I awoke I turned the scanner on just in case Canadian Pacific decided to shine the rails of the Hamilton Subdivision. I was a bit surprised when the dispatcher issued a clearance to train 255 soon after. She also informed 255 that a loaded ethanol train was parked on the main track in Welland Yard. It was another overcast, damp day but I elected to take Missy for a drive and check out the two trains.

0929 Welland - CP 626 south - CP 5677-ICE 6215-DME 6363-NREX 7349
0945 Welland - CP 255 north - CP 9505-CP 9773

CP 9505 has had its engine doors replaced at some point and is now devoid of a logo on at least the conductor's side. I didn't see the other side.

While train 255 was slowly rolling through the siding Job 1 was making its way over to the CaSo track to lift some traffic. I took a look as I passed by on my way back to Fenwick.

0947 Welland - CP job 1 - CP 8200-CP 8212

I managed to buy some milk from the Avondale in town and get back home before 255 rolled through Fenwick.

1011 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 9505-CP 9773

Later on after Missy's walk I missed train 246 south led by SOO 6035. But while listening to the scanner I found out that train 626 was being moved to the siding in Brookfield. So in ten hours the train had moved about five miles. After parking the ethanol train the power was wyed on Canadian National and returned to Welland Yard to lift freight and head back north.

1856 Fenwick - CP 247 north - CP 5677-ICE 6215-DME 6363-NREX 7349

It was rather dark by this point so I contented myself to listening to it rumble through town.

Trackside Log for Friday, September 30, 2011

2011-09-30T11:48:00.006-04:00

Today was a dismal rainy autumn day. Why not create some dreary photographs of trains? After missing a train 255 I heard on the scanner that a pair of southbounds were on the way. I got Missy and my camera and headed out into the rain for photos. First was train 254 working Welland Yard. I waited for it to depart at Philips Road.

1054 Welland - CP 254 south - CP 9544-CP 9653

While 254 was switching the yard train 246 waited at mile 30. After photographing the former I drove to River Road to see the latter.

1104 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 9511-CP 9566

Having achieved the effect I was seeking I drove back home to get out of the rain. The way I see it, the dreary looking AC4400CWs matched the weather conditions perfectly.

Trackside Log for Wednesday, September 28, 2011

2011-09-28T17:45:00.004-04:00

I was on my way to an appointment in Peacock Point today when I discovered the Southern Ontario Railway beginning to switch the Esso Refinery in Nanticoke. I first found two trains at the 3rd Concession.

1500 Nanticoke - SOR northbound switcher (Lake Erie Steel loads) - CEFX 2014
1500 Nanticoke - SOR southbound switcher (Esso empties) - CEFX 2006-CEFX 2019

I wasn't able to get any photographs there so I drover over to the 2nd Concession and waited for the Esso train to drag the empty tank cars to the south end of the yard.

1531 Nanticoke - SOR southbound switcher - CEFX 2006-CEFX 2019

The Southern Ontario Railway recently received the CEFX 2006 and today it showed up on the Hagersville Subdivision. Right now all three of the GP20Ds on the SOR are working together.

Just for fun I also decided to play around with High Dynamic Range processing on this photograph. Here's what that turned out like:

Trackside Log for Monday, September 26, 2011

2011-09-26T19:50:00.003-04:00

Tonight I was just returning from Missy's walk and thought I heard distant horns to the south. I went inside to get my camera and my neighbour Steve, his dog Riley, Missy and I walked back to the tracks to check it out. Sure enough what looked like train 255 was approaching in the waning light.

1856 Fenwick - CP 2nd 247 north - CP 9738-CP 8638

A pair of Mexican migrant workers watched the train pass but there were no shiny new ES44ACs in tow. Evidently this was a 2nd train 247 that lifted overflow traffic out of Welland.

Trackside Log for Sunday, September 25, 2011

2011-09-25T09:43:00.004-04:00

After a very quiet day before, with nary a train over the Canadian Pacific's Hamilton Subdivision in daylight, I turned the scanner on when I got up. I wasn't expecting much but It wasn't very long before a southbound announced the Boyle mile board. I drove over to Chantler Road for a nice morning photograph.

0910 Fenwick - CP 254 south - CP 9702-CITX 3060

Trackside Log for Saturday, September 17, 2011

2011-09-17T19:54:00.003-04:00

This was the weekend of Binbrook Fair and I was on my way to Aldershot to pick Sam up from the train station. Her train wasn't due until 1357 so I had plenty of time to photograph some trains beforehand. First I decided to meet up with The Maple Leaf at Grimsby station.

0932 Grimsby - VIA 97 east - AMTK 124

Next I headed on over to Lemonville Road in Aldershot to see what Canadian National was running for the morning. As it turned out, nothing. I wound up reading much of the book Mystery by Jonathan Kellerman. The Canadian National Oakville Subdivision was asleep. It wasn't until the mid-day VIA trains when I saw something rolling down the rails.

1241 Aldershot - VIA 72 east - VIA 916
1302 Aldershot - VIA 73 west - VIA 6427
1304 Aldershot - CN 148 east - CN 8956-IC 2712-CN 5738

Unfortunately train 422 sneaked by me after 148. However, it was then time for Sam's train. I picked her up and we drove to Binbrook and the annual fall fair. It was a perfect weekend for it.

Trackside Log for Tuesday, September 13, 2011

2011-09-13T19:59:00.004-04:00

I was just about to take Missy for her evening walk but stopped short when I heard air horns in the distance. I went back for my camera and then walked to the tracks to photograph the approaching northbound.

1739 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 8749-DME 6087-HLCX 8139-DME 6368

Both the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern locomotives were formerly owned, and subsequently re-owned, by Canadian Pacific. DME 6087 is ex-CP 5411, née QNSL 215. DME 6368 is ex-HLCX 6368, ex-SOO 6368, née MILW 207:2.

Not long after Missy and I got home from our walk I could once again hear air horns from afar. This time it was a southbound which I decided to intercept at River Road.

1839 Fenwick - CP 254 south - CEFX 1050-CP 9658

Those two locomotives looked quite familiar. They were both on the previous day's train 247.

Trackside Log for Monday, September 12, 2011

2011-09-12T20:23:00.004-04:00

Just before Missy's walk this evening I heard on the scanner that Canadian Pacific train 247 was departing Buffalo, New York. I had plenty of time to get the walk in before it got to town. Later I discovered that the train would be lifting train 255's freight along with three engines from Welland Yard. That would take some time and I was worried it was going to get very dark before it finished. You see, two of those engines were brand new ES44ACs CP 8904 and CP 8903. Eventually they departed and I had just enough light for some photographs.

1915 Fenwick - CP 247 north - CEFX 1050-SOO 6032-CP 9658-CP 8904-CP 8903

Since there is still a slow order between mile 23, where I took the above photographs, and mile 26 in Fenwick, one can easily drive ahead for a second photograph. I drove to Farr Street for another shot at the train.

1927 Fenwick - CP 247 north - CEFX 1050-SOO 6032-CP 9658-CP 8904-CP 8903

It was getting dark very quickly but I managed to squeeze in the photograph. Once all 9000 feet of train had left town I drove back home where Missy was happy to see me. She even got to play with Riley, my neighbour's dog.

Trackside Log for Sunday, September 11, 2011

2011-09-11T10:35:00.002-04:00

I was sitting at the computer this morning working on a couple projects and decided to turn the scanner on in the background. Moments later I heard a northbound announcing the Welland mile board with a clearance through to Vinemount. I got Missy and my camera and headed to Chantler Road for a photograph.

0950 Fenwick - CP 627 north - CEFX 1045-CP 5935

Trackside Log for Friday, September 2, 2011

2011-09-02T22:06:00.002-04:00

Today was the second of my five day long weekend. Unlike the previous day I had nothing planned other than some relaxation and photographic work on the computer. I had the scanner on and discovered that an empty ethanol train was departing Buffalo for the Canadian Pacific Hamilton Subdivision. I waited until it got to Welland Yard before Missy and I went to Farr Street for a photograph.

1543 Fenwick - CP 627 north - CP 9721-CP 9577

The power for the train was rather mundane but I still like seeing a solid row of tank cars.

Trackside Log for Sunday, August 28, 2011

2011-08-28T11:17:00.003-04:00

I was at home this morning not getting up to very much but heard horns approaching. I made the short drive to River Road again to photograph the train under the fringes of Hurricane Irene.

1006 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CEFX 1059

Later that evening the skies cleared and train 255 was working Welland Yard. Once it departed I made the short drive to Farr Street for a photograph.

1805 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 5739-HLCX 7008-CP 5911

A comparison between the photograph of today's train 255 and that of yesterday will reveal a missing tree. After yesterday's blocked SOO SD60M I was motivated to deal with said tree.

Trackside Log for Saturday, August 27, 2011

2011-08-27T07:58:00.005-04:00

Just as I was waking up this morning I could hear the faint sound of horns. It was a very pleasant sunny morning so I took my camera to River Road to watch.

0724 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 9822-CP 9662

Later in the afternoon train 255 pulled into Welland Yard with 442 axles. After setting off a portion of its freight they departed and I met the train at Farr Street.

1639 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 9828-CP 8600-SOO 6059-CP 5902-ICE 6416-ICE 6413-CP 5927

That was quite the mixed bag of motive power. I'm pretty sure only the two AC4400s at the front were actually working.

Trackside Log for Friday, August 26, 2011

2011-08-26T16:49:00.004-04:00

This afternoon I had an appointment in downtown Burlington. I decided I would grab lunch there and eat it by the tracks in Aldershot. En route I discovered a Southern Ontario Railway GP40 idling with crew on board in Hagersville.

1230 Hagersville - SOR switcher - RLK 4095

There were some track maintenance machines just up the line that I assume the crew on the RLK 4095 was waiting for.

After picking up lunch I headed to the Lemonville Road bridge over the Canadian National Oakville Subdivision. While eating train 552 poked its nose out from under the bridge. I walked up to the top for some photographs.

1339 Aldershot - CN 552 - CN 4707-CN 4710

In the last photo you can see the result of train 435 derailing two days before. The newly ballasted track upon which train 552 is working has been realigned from the original configuration. The track to the left where the damaged autorack still sits was the original alignment for the switching lead.

Later that evening, at just about the time that Missy was starting to whine for her walk, I heard the Canadian Pacific Hamilton Subdivision dispatcher issue a clearance to train 255 from Brookfield East to Kinnear Yard. I decided I could walk Missy over to the Farr Street crossing for a photograph. After a short wait at the crossing the distant sound of horns could be heard.

1806 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 8525-CP 9572

After walking the two kilometres back home I popped over to the Lions Club booth for some fish and chips.

Trackside Log for Saturday, August 20, 2011

2011-08-20T20:26:00.000-04:00

I was at home relaxing today with the scanner on in the background. In the afternoon I heard train 255 obtain a clearance onto the Canadian Pacific Hamilton Subdivision. As it turned out they were going to be setting off their entire train in Welland Yard before heading to Kinnear Yard with light power. So I walked over to the tracks for a photograph.

A few days earlier this pair of SD40-2s travelled through town in the dark with the only Iowa, Chicago & Eastern locomotive still in I&M Rail Link paint. Alas it had been separated from the set prior to the second round trip to Binghamton, New York.

Trackside Log for Thursday, August 18, 2011

2011-08-18T19:55:00.002-04:00

After walking Missy this evening we were relaxing in the back yard under the big maple tree. I was reading Deception by Jonathan Kellerman when I was interrupted by air horns. The skies were beginning to cloud over but there was still enough light for a decent photograph so I got my camera and walked to the tracks.

1856 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 8865-CITX 3064

The CIT lease SD40-2 is ex-GCFX 3064; ex-NREX 869; nee CNW 869.

Trackside Log for Tuesday, August 16, 2011

2011-08-16T21:24:00.008-04:00

Today, for a late lunch, I drove to Waterford with a singular goal in mind: to photograph what remains of Waterford Junction. At this location a trio of railways all converged:

Lake Erie & Northern (electrified)
Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo
Canada Southern/Michigan Central/New York Central/Penn Central/Conrail

The following is a 360° panorama constructed from 50 individual photographs taken from the Lake Erie & Northern bridge. The photograph starts at the left facing north and progresses full circle back to north again. A second version of the panorama is also included that is annotated with the three railways' locations.

1434 Waterford - Waterford Junction

NOTE: You can download the full resolution image of each version of the panorama by clicking the “download” button at the left above the photograph after clicking the thumbnails.

After spinning around in circles taking photographs I headed back to work.

Trackside Log for Monday, August 15, 2011

2011-08-15T20:43:00.002-04:00

As I was driving home from an appointment in Hamilton I turned the scanner on to hear if there was any activity on the Canadian Pacific Hamilton Subdivision. It wasn't long before I heard train 246 obtain a clearance from Smithville to Welland. The timing was going to be about perfect. I arrived home, let Missy out, got my camera and drove to Sumbler Road for a photograph. I didn't need to wait long.

1647 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CEFX 1007-CP 9577

The scene of the engineer gesticulating out the window of CEFX 1007 was really quite humourous. I wish I had the video running. Ah well. After the train passed by I returned home for our nightly walk before I regraded my driveway.

Trackside Log for Saturday, August 13, 2011

2011-08-13T20:25:00.002-04:00

I spent the morning indoors with the scanner on in the background. Canadian Pacific train 255's crew outlawed in Welland Yard but I opted not to make the drive to see it. By the afternoon the skies had cleared nicely and I set up a lawn chair under the shade in the back yard with Missy beside me and began reading Evidence by Jonathan Kellerman. Several chapters into the story I heard train 255 north announce its presence a few concessions to the south. I got my camera and drove to Farr Street for a photograph.

1533 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 8816-CP 9654

This was only the second photograph I'd taken after the start of “Operation Sightline”. I'd been working on eliminating much of the brush that has grown up around some of the better photographic locations around Fenwick. This particular view was considerably overgrown but I'd made some dramatic improvements.

I returned to the lawn chair and my book. After several more chapters more horns could be heard at Regional Road 24. I grabbed the camera and jogged through my back yard to photograph train 246 south.

1616 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CEFX 1029-CP 9618

The blue leased locomotive was a pleasant change from the ubiquitous red Canadian Pacific GE power of the past two days. Once the train has passed through town I returned to Missy and my book.

Trackside Log for Friday, August 12, 2011

2011-08-12T20:20:00.000-04:00

I was moments away from taking Missy for her evening walk when I heard the unmistakable sound of air horns approaching from the north. An impromptu change of plans resulted in a brief drive to River Road for photographs.

1725 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 9814-CP 8706

Once the photographs had been obtained I returned home to Missy who was impatiently waiting for our daily walk.

Trackside Log for Tuesday, August 2, 2011

2011-08-02T23:37:00.009-04:00

I took today off as part of my extended holiday weekend. After a fifteen minute stop at work Missy and I headed west to see what sort of railway action we could find. First up was a Canadian Pacific westbound we managed to get ahead of at Nissouri.

1112 Crumlin - CP 441 west - CP 5939-CP 6601

I decided to check out the west side of London. I heard on the scanner that two Canadian National trains would be meeting west of me so I took up a position on Pulham Road near Lobo to see them.

1233 Lobo - CN 393 west - CN 2230-IC 1000
1256 Lobo - CN 330 east - CN 9449-CN 2417-CN 2337

Train 330's complete consist (aside from a few cars from which I was unable to read the complete number): [show/hide]

While waiting for the next sign of movement I heard the Canadian Pacific Windsor Subdivision dispatcher inform a foreman of three eastbounds and two westbounds that would be moving after a track block at Bothwell. I got into position for the first westbound.

1449 Lobo - CP 241 west - CP 9568-CEFX 1055

Train 241 only made it as far as Newbury Station before stopping for a tie gang at Bothwell. The dispatcher informed them of three eastbounds also waiting for the track block. I drove ahead to catch the activity and discovered train 241 parked at Pine Road where it was waiting for the tie gang to repair a sun kink.

1556 Newbury Station - CP 241 west - CP 9568-CEFX 1055

Before too long the foreman cleared train 241 through the siding at Bothwell. I caught the train on the move again a short distance away at Cameron Road.

1624 Newbury Station - CP 241 west - CP 9568-CEFX 1055

Not long after 241 cleared Bothwell siding the tie gang parked their equipment in the back track and the next westbound was cleared through on the main track.

1735 Bothwell Station - CP westbound - CP 9711-CP 9649

The three eastbounds all met this train at Kent Bridge. After a bit of a wait the parade began. I photographed all three running through Bothwell Station at ten miles per hour.

1901 Bothwell Station - CP eastbound - CP 8828-DME 6097
1923 Bothwell Station - CP 142 east - CEFX 1019
1937 Bothwell Station - CP 666 east - CP 5911-ICE 6414-ICE 6413-CP 6047

Thanks to the conductor of train 666 for tossing me the bottle of water. It was appreciated.

During the eastbound procession it began to rain lightly and it was quickly getting dark. Missy by now was mostly sleeping so I determined it to be time for home. After the long drive back to Niagara I was stopped by the railway crossing down the road from my house.

2244 Fenwick - CP northbound - CP 8713-CP 9780

This train was very short and I couldn't identify it from what little freight there was. However, I was now home after a pretty interesting day. Managing to actually photograph the ethanol train was my reward.

Trackside Log for Monday, August 1, 2011

2011-08-01T12:27:00.010-04:00

I turned the scanner on while working on various projects at home this morning. I could hear train 255 working Canadian Pacific's Welland Yard. I waited for the dispatcher to issue the train a clearance before taking Missy to Chantler Road for a photograph next to the old barn.

1005 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 9702-CP 5908 (video)

Train 255's complete consist (aside from one car from which I was unable to read the complete number): [show/hide]

CP 9702 - AC4400CW
CP 5908 - SD40-2
CEFX 12393 - Covered Hopper Car
AMGX 4145 - Unequipped Gondola
HS 61521 - Equipped Box Car
HS 61489 - Equipped Box Car
CP 214103 - Equipped Box Car
HTTX 92264 - Flat Car
SHPX 432367 - Covered Hopper Car
FURX 863303 - Covered Hopper Car
DCLX 8192 - Covered Hopper Car
CP 220013 - Equipped Box Car
CP 220249 - Equipped Box Car
CP 215399 - Equipped Box Car
IANR 11473 - Equipped Box Car
HS 61281 - Equipped Box Car
CP 214190 - Equipped Box Car
GATX 4606 - Tank Car
CP 41493_ - Maintenance of Way, Scale, Passenger, Caboose and End-of-Train
UELX 60085 - Covered Hopper Car
WWUX 1063 - Covered Hopper Car
GACX 9209 - Covered Hopper Car
WWUX 1061 - Covered Hopper Car
WWUX 1018 - Covered Hopper Car
WWUX 1044 - Covered Hopper Car
GATX 5691 - Tank Car
GATX 7666 - Tank Car
KCS 130336 - Equipped Box Car
TCMX 12437 - Covered Hopper Car
AEX 7008 - Covered Hopper Car
TILX 639764 - Covered Hopper Car
EEC 51209 - Covered Hopper Car
UP 88122 - Covered Hopper Car
UP 88098 - Covered Hopper Car
GACX 10090 - Covered Hopper Car
MILW 120194 - Unequipped Hopper Car
GPLX 77766 - Covered Hopper Car
GPLX 77732 - Covered Hopper Car
MCEX 95338 - Covered Hopper Car
CP 604372 - Covered Hopper Car
SOO 119707 - Covered Hopper Car
UTLX 202463 - Tank Car
UTLX 210607 - Tank Car
SHPX 208904 - Tank Car
UTLX 206821 - Tank Car
TILX 194541 - Tank Car
UTLX 206773 - Tank Car
UTLX 207392 - Tank Car
TILX 194518 - Tank Car
UTLX 200474 - Tank Car
SOO 116976 - Covered Hopper Car
CP 604295 - Covered Hopper Car
SOO 115688 - Covered Hopper Car
SOO 115117 - Covered Hopper Car
SOO 118644 - Covered Hopper Car
NOKL 826988 - Covered Hopper Car
SOO 113739 - Covered Hopper Car
EEC 61204 - Covered Hopper Car
CP 601963 - Covered Hopper Car
SOO 117752 - Covered Hopper Car
MPLI 829151 - Covered Hopper Car
MPLI 827047 - Covered Hopper Car
TCWR 40224 - Covered Hopper Car
TCWR 173554 - Covered Hopper Car
TCWR 349524 - Covered Hopper Car
MPLI 832766 - Covered Hopper Car
TCWR 824505 - Covered Hopper Car
TCWR 41026 - Covered Hopper Car
TCWR 30001 - Covered Hopper Car
TCWR 40216 - Covered Hopper Car
MPLI 829143 - Covered Hopper Car
ADMX 51166 - Covered Hopper Car
ADMX 50060 - Covered Hopper Car
ADMX 50207 - Covered Hopper Car
ADMX 50100 - Covered Hopper Car
CEFX 304046 - Covered Hopper Car

In the afternoon, just as I was taking Missy for her walk I heard horns several concessions away. I went back inside to get my camera and caught the yard engines delivering two bulkhead flats of steel pipe to Cappco in Smithville.

1731 Fenwick - CP northbound - CP 8208-CP 8216

Shortly after our walk the two GP9s returned from setting off their train.

1810 Fenwick - CP southbound - CP 8216-CP 8208

Knowing that the return trip would be a light power move Missy and I stayed indoors and just listened to it rumble through town.

Trackside Log for Sunday, July 31, 2011

2011-07-31T12:36:00.011-04:00

Missy and I got off to a lazy start to the summer morning after sleeping in. It's great having a dog that will let you sleep in. Once we'd gotten up I turned on the scanner. After a short time I heard the Canadian Pacific Hamilton Subdivision dispatcher issue a clearance to train 627. I decided to take Missy and the camera out to Farr Street for a look.

1114 Fenwick - CP 627 north - CP 8758-CP 9760 (video)

A northbound at near the noon hour is not great for photography around Fenwick but there was still enough overcast in the clearing skies to mute the sun enough for a half decent photograph.

Because I was feeling a bit nuts (again) I also recorded the entire consist of the train: [show/hide]

Trackside Log for Saturday, July 30, 2011

2011-07-30T15:06:00.010-04:00

Marcus and I hadn't made it trackside together in quite some time. Today we decided to head back to New York again for what promised to be a very sunny albeit somewhat hot summer day. Marcus was unfortunately delayed by the closure of the Queen Elizabeth Way so our departure was a bit delayed. Nevertheless, after a reasonable wait at the border for a holiday weekend, we made it to the former New York Central tracks. We exited Interstate 90 at Dunkirk and after finding nothing to photograph proceeded toward Westfield. We attempted to catch an ethanol train in Portland but narrowly missed the pair of BSNF SD40-2s pulling it eastward. We did stick around for another pair though.

1151 Van Buren Bay, NY - CSX eastbound - CSXT 552-CSXT 467
1200 Van Buren Bay, NY - CSX K849 west - CSXT 390-CSXT 674

The radio grew quiet and we were getting hungry so we drove to Westfield, picked up a bite to eat, and headed trackside. After only a few bites the first eastbound drew near.

1249 Westfield, NY - CSX Q140 east - CSXT 4850-CSXT 7314-CSXT 7900
1301 Westfield, NY - CSX Q114 east - CSXT 7392-CSXT 4543
1312 Westfield, NY - Amtrak 48 east - CSXT 6094-AMTK 54-AMTK 58

We were not expecting the CSX GP40-2 to be a very late Amtrak train. I can imagine there were some disgruntled passengers today.

1321 Westfield, NY - CSX Q115 west - CSXT 5208-CSXT 229-CSXT 247-CSXT 10
1336 Westfield, NY - CSX Q157 west - CSXT 671-CSXT 5332 (video)

Once the angle of the sun became problematic Marcus and I decided to make a little side trip to visit the Western New York & Pennsylvania and the New York & Lake Erie. First up was Falconer where we discovered a C-424 coupled to a spreader. WNYP 4223 is ex-Morristown & Erie 4223 and originally Canadian Pacific 4223.

1435 Falconer, NY - Western New York and Pennsylvania power - WNYP 4223

After a few photograph we drove north to Gowanda to see what might be strewn around the former Erie tracks.

1534 Gowanda, NY - New York and Lake Erie power - NYLE 1013-NYLE 6764-NYLE 6758
1540 Gowanda, NY - New York and Lake Erie power - NYLE 77
1541 Gowanda, NY - New York and Lake Erie power - CR 5067
1545 Gowanda, NY - New York and Lake Erie equipment - NYLE 7
1548 Gowanda, NY - New York and Lake Erie equipment - Contrack coach

The above ex-Amtrak coach still wears its "Contrack" paint from the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

1554 Gowanda, NY - New York and Lake Erie power - NYLE 76
1555 Gowanda, NY - New York and Lake Erie power - NYLE 78

After baking in the sun while photographing the collection of rather sad looking equipment we headed back toward the former New York Central and Nickel Plate main lines. First we stopped by Dunkirk again to see if anything had changed. Nothing had although we discovered that one of the parked coal trains actually had a pair of Union Pacific GE locomotives on the east end. With impossible lighting we drove on for Silver Creek where we determined that a train was lifting out of track 3. Before we could photograph what turned out to be a ballast train a pair of eastbounds rolled through.

1708 Silver Creek, NY - CSX eastbound - CITX 2792-CSXT 8138
1723 Silver Creek, NY - CSX K694 east - HLCX 6206-HLCX 6340
1735 Silver Creek, NY - CSX ballast train west - HLCX 6302-CSXT 8848

The day was getting on so Marcus and I proceeded toward home again. We stopped off in Blasdell where we caught a pair of westbounds leaving the Buffalo area.

1926 Blasdell, NY - CSX V818 west - CSXT 315-CSXT 75
1938 Blasdell, NY - CSX westbound - CSXT 5304-CSXT 5436-CSXT 7884

The shadows were quickly deepening so we decided to end our quest and drove back to Canada and to Kelsey's in Fort Erie for supper.

Trackside Log for Wednesday, July 27, 2011

2011-07-27T12:30:00.002-04:00

It was a pleasant clear summer morning and I decided to pass by the Southern Ontario Railway's yard in Garnet en route to work this morning. I hadn't dropped by in a while so I wanted to see if any of the motive power had changed recently. As I approached I could tell that no, nothing had changed. The two CEFX GP20Ds were still the only power on hand.

0926 Garnet - SOR 596 south - CEFX 2019-CEFX 2014

I took a few photographs anyway before completing the journey to work.

Trackside Log for Wednesday, July 20, 2011

2011-07-20T22:09:00.006-04:00

Today I decided to create another 360º panorama view of a former crossing between two railways. I took the camera and tripod to view what remains of Dunnville Diamond.

1820 Dunnville - Dunnville Diamond

This photograph starts facing north at the left of the photograph. This is the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Dunnville Subdivision (now operated by Canadian Pacific). Next is the abandoned Canadian National Dunnville Subdivision facing east which has been obliterated by the Bick's Pickle plant. Facing south is the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Dunnville Subdivision again followed by the Canadian National Dunnville Subdivision right of way facing west. That brings us back to facing north where we started.

As an aside, the Bick's Pickle plant and the associated pickle tank farm in Delhi are scheduled to close in November this year. More information can be found in the Hamilton Spectator's article about the closure.

Trackside Log for Sunday, July 17, 2011

2011-07-17T09:00:00.003-04:00

I awoke to the sound of Canadian Pacific locomotive horns this morning. It was a bright sunny morning and hadn't heated up too much yet so I figured I should go out to photograph something now before it became oppressively hot. Missy and I drove to River Road to photograph the southbound.

0732 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 8849-CP 9700

After we had arrived back home I turned on the scanner to hear that train 255 was about to depart Welland Yard. Well, it still wasn't overly hot so I popped back out to Chantler Road to see it too.

0810 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 9759-CP 8553

Once the train had moved on I returned home once again. I left the scanner on for the rest of the day but aside from Job 3 and a CN transfer to Trillium, neither of which travel to Fenwick, all was quiet for nearly twelve hours. Then I was startled by the Hamilton Subdivision dispatcher talking to a southbound. I got my camera and headed out to Chantler Road again to intercept it.

1934 Fenwick - CP 626 south - CP 8753-CP 9643

Sadly even the ethanol train had boring power. Oh well, at least I was able to make a pretty photograph out of it. I've been meaning to photograph that angle for quite a few years but for various reasons never actually made it happen until today.

Trackside Log for Friday, July 8, 2011

2011-07-08T19:44:00.004-04:00

Tonight, just as Missy and I were approaching our driveway, we heard the sound of a southbound Canadian Pacific train approaching town. Since it was a nice bright, sunny (albeit humid) evening I quickly fetched my camera and drove to River Road for a photograph.

1839 Fenwick - CP 254 south - CP 8827-CP 8885

Air conditioning was sounding quite attractive to me. I then headed home to avoid the humidity.

Trackside Log for Sunday, July 3, 2011

2011-07-03T19:21:00.005-04:00

This was another day of the Canada Day weekend that Missy and I chose to spend relaxing. However, upon hearing train 255 obtain a clearance from Brookfield East to Kinnear, I took Missy over to Welland Yard for a look. Before it arrived I photographed the recently delivered GP9s for the yard jobs. The first, CP 8249, still has the metal plates over the grille behind the cab that once carried the yellow stripe of its original maroon and grey paint. At that time it was numbered CP 8830.

1334 Welland - CP power - CP 8249

Well, actually I only photographed one of the two GP9s. I was interrupted by the arrival of train 255.

1348 Welland - CP 255 north - CP 8881-CP 8882

The consecutively numbered ES44ACs on the train was interesting. After the train had rolled off northward I returned to take a quick photograph of the other GP9.

1357 Welland - CP power - CP 8231

After the half hour of entertainment I took Missy back home only to head back out again later in the afternoon. Train 246 south was approaching with a pair of CSX locomotives in the consist.

1717 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 8795-CP 9629-CSXT 108-CSXT 7606-CP 6061

The clouds were toying with me but I managed a reasonably decent photograph of the train. At least it wasn't raining or the middle of the night.

Trackside Log for Friday, July 1, 2011

2011-07-01T19:12:00.002-04:00

Happy Canada Day.

Missy and I spent the holiday relaxing at home. I left the scanner on in the background to see if Canadian Pacific would send anything my way. In mid-morning a southbound was approaching.

1049 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 8626-CP 9501

It was all very quiet on the Hamilton Subdivision until train 255 north arrived on the scene in the early evening.

1934 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 9754-CP 8787

So it was an all GE day. Rather boring.

Trackside Log for Thursday, June 30, 2011

2011-06-30T00:43:00.002-04:00

I was tending to a friend's horses and dogs who lives near Welland Yard this weekend. Before setting off to accomplish this task I'd heard a southbound train pass my house but was unable to see it. As I passed by the yard I discovered a Canadian Pacific ethanol train parked at the yard office.

2037 Welland - CP 626 south - SOO 6037-CITX 3101-DME 6097-NREX 6309

The NRE SD40 was still wearing EMD blue and white paint. But alas I was unable to take a photograph this evening. Oh well.

Trackside Log for Sunday, June 26, 2011

2011-06-26T14:27:00.001-04:00

I spent the day relaxing at home. The "as advertised" sunny weather didn't materialise so Missy and I didn't get very energetic. I left the scanner on and eventually heard train 246 announce the Boyle mile board. Missy and I walked behind our house to take a look.

1302 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 8886-CITX 3008-HLCX 7205

Canadian Pacific delivered another colourful locomotive consist on a rather short train destined for CSX in Buffalo.

Late in the afternoon the sun finally made an appearance and to my amazement train 247 north departed Welland Yard in the middle of it. It was time for Missy's walk so we took the camera to Foss Road for a photograph.

1714 Fenwick - CP 247 north - CP 5877-CEFX 3173-CEFX 3166

After train 247 cleared the crossing Missy and I resumed our walk around the block.

Trackside Log for Tuesday, June 21, 2011

2011-06-21T14:19:00.000-04:00

Today I decided to pass by the Southern Ontario Railway's Garnet Yard on my way to work. Train 596 was parked right up to Concession 8 so I stopped for a couple photographs.

0917 Garnet - SOR 596 south - RLK 4095-CEFX 2019-CEFX 2014

Then it was off to work.

Trackside Log for Saturday, June 18, 2011

2011-06-18T09:44:00.004-04:00

Missy and I were just getting our day in motion when, like so often happens, I heard horns approaching from the north. I got my camera and drove back to River Road for a photograph.

0849 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 9801-CP 6017

CP 6017 is another dual flag SD40-2 that is looking pretty grim these days.

Later that afternoon train 255 obtained a clearance out of Welland Yard with an Item 4 against train 626. Missy and I drove over to Boyle for a photograph of the ethanol train.

1330 Boyle - CP 626 south - CP 8782-SOO 6035-CP 6060

The original locomotive consist for train 626 included a pair of NRE SD40-2s. Somewhere along the way Canadian Pacific set those off and added the ES44AC to the front. I suspect London.

Since train 255 wouldn't be very long Missy and I waited around at the Boyle Road crossing for it. After 30 minutes I could see the headlight approaching in the distance.

1405 Boyle - CP 255 north - CP 9649

By this time Missy was getting pretty hot in the midday sun so we returned home for refreshments.

Trackside Log for Sunday, June 12, 2011

2011-06-12T09:06:00.001-04:00

This morning as Missy and I got up we heard the horns of an approaching southbound. I quickly got my camera and dashed over to River Road again for a photograph of what turned out to be train 246.

0833 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 9598

As is common for a Sunday train 246 was quite short although it is somewhat less common to see it as a one-lunger.

That afternoon I was getting ready to head to Binbrook to visit my sister's family when I heard train 255 obtain a clearance from Brookfield East to Welland on the Hamilton Subdivision. I took Missy over to the Highway 58 bridge for a photograph.

1410 Welland - CP 255 north - CP 9597-CP 9570

Then I was off to Binbrook for the remainder of the afternoon and evening.

Trackside Log for Saturday, June 11, 2011

2011-06-11T19:16:00.001-04:00

The weather for today was to be rather unpredictable. Missy and I decided to spend the majority of the day indoors. Outside it varied from sun to overcast to the odd shower. I left the scanner on and heard train 255 north obtain a clearance from Welland Yard to Vinemount. I took Missy for a short walk behind my house for a photograph. Naturally it began to spit rain at this moment. Fortunately it wasn't prohibitive to photography.

1518 Fenwick - CP 255 north - SOO 6055-CEFX 3173-HLCX 6206

I had missed this train on Thursday while walking Missy in the evening. So I was rather pleased to get a second chance to photograph it. The weather conditions were nicer the first time, but there was little I could do about it.

After about forty five minutes train 255 met train 254 at Vinemount. I waited another thirty minutes then drove over to River Road for a photograph in what proved to be significantly better light.

1642 Fenwick - CP 254 south - CP 8766-CP 9821

At that point it was time for Missy's walk.

Trackside Log for Friday, June 3, 2011

2011-06-03T19:23:00.000-04:00

Just like yesterday I heard Canadian Pacific train 246 south leaving Kinnear Yard in Hamilton while on my way home from work. I heard the Hamilton Subdivision dispatcher issue a clearance to Welland. With plenty of time I took Missy home, changed clothes and then drove to River road once again for a photograph.

1747 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 8608-CP 9565-CP 9814

Afterward it was time to head home to walk Missy and get a fish supper from the Lion's Club in Fenwick.

Trackside Log for Thursday, June 2, 2011

2011-06-02T18:34:00.000-04:00

While driving home this afternoon I heard a foreman on the Canadian Pacific Hamilton Subdivision clearing the track for a southbound train out of Kinnear. I knew I had ample time to photograph it. When I arrived home I got my camera, drove to River Road and waited a short time for a photograph.

1658 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 9585-CEFX 3184-CEFX 3149

A second beautiful day in a row made for a nice photograph. After an astonishingly wet two months this was a glorious change.

Trackside Log for Wednesday, June 1, 2011

2011-06-01T20:28:00.002-04:00

Today was a fantastic day. It was sunny, warm but not hot, and not humid. Beauty, eh? So I took my camera along to work again today to see if I could get some better looking photographs of the two GP20Ds running on the Southern Ontario Railway. I was in luck. They were parked at the south end of the yard in Garnet as usual.

1019 Garnet - SOR 596 south - CEFX 2014-CEFX 2019-RLK 4095

After a day's work I passed by Nanticoke to see if the Southern Ontario Railway was working. They were indeed but were hidden within the confines of Lake Erie Steel. So I headed for home. While driving through Dunnville I heard train 254 report clear of mile 35 to a rail grinding train. I was too far away to catch 254 but was able to photograph the rail grinder.

1907 Fenwick - CP rail grinder south - RG 311

After a few photographs I headed home to catch game one of the Stanley Cup finals between the Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks. Go Canucks!

Trackside Log for Tuesday, May 31, 2011

2011-05-31T21:44:00.004-04:00

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

2011-05-23T14:24:00.002-04:00

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

2011-05-22T17:41:00.000-04:00

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

2011-05-21T23:00:00.000-04:00

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

2011-05-20T17:54:00.000-04:00

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

2011-05-19T18:49:00.000-04:00

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

2011-05-15T20:37:00.000-04:00

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

2011-05-14T14:07:00.000-04:00

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

2011-05-13T17:47:00.000-04:00

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

2011-05-11T17:22:00.000-04:00

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

2011-05-09T20:09:00.000-04:00

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

2011-05-07T22:08:00.031-04:00

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.

Trackside Log for Friday, May 6, 2011

2011-05-06T18:34:00.000-04:00

Missy accompanied me to work today. The nice thing about a small office is I can take my dog to work now and again. So without the normal pressing need to get home for Missy I decided to pass by the Southern Ontario Railway in Nanticoke to see what might be happening. First I noticed two locomotives switching the north end of the Esso facility but upon crossing the Stelco Spur discovered a third assembling a train of loaded steel cars. I waited for it to depart the small yard west of Regional Road 55.

1621 Nanticoke - SOR switcher - RLK 4095

I drove over to the junction of the Stelco Spur and the Hagersville Subdivision to see the train again.

1628 Nanticoke - SOR switcher - RLK 4095
1628 Nantocoke - SOR switcher - NECR 3840-RLK 4057

RLK 4095 cut off its train and left it on the Stelco Spur and ran down the Hydro Spur to couple onto a pair of tank cars and the other two locomotives.

The rain was beginning to fall so I figured that was enough activity for the afternoon. Missy and I headed for home.

Trackside Log for Monday, May 2, 2011

2011-05-02T20:08:00.000-04:00

Today was federal election day in Canada. I had just gotten home from work but before I could take Missy for her walk or vote I heard the sound of an approaching northbound on the Canadian Pacific Hamilton Subdivision. I got my camera and dashed over to Farr Street for a photograph.

1737 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 8716-CP 8631

After I returned home Missy and I walked around the block so I could vote. Unfortunately I was unable to photograph the duo of ethanol trains that passed behind my house later that evening. Oh well. You can't have everything.

Trackside Log for Saturday, April 30, 2011

2011-04-30T23:13:00.000-04:00

Today was predicted to be very nice: sunny and warm. After the wind storm of Thursday I could use some relaxation so Missy and I got the camera and Obsession by Jonathan Kellerman and headed out for the day. I decided that the Canadian National's Dundas Subdivision would be my target for the day. I started off in Copetown where I encounterred train 393 emerging from the sunshine.

0811 Copetown - CN 393 west - CN 5777-IC 1019

The shadows were parallel to the rails in Copetown so I drove to Power Line Road in Lynden for a better angle. I arrived at Lynden in tandem with train 393.

0820 Lynden - CN 393 west - CN 5777-IC 1019

Once I arrived at Power Line Road I waited for the two morning VIA trains. It didn't take long at all.

0839 Lynden - VIA 671 west - VIA 6454
0847 Lynden - VIA 70 east - VIA 6425

Then it got quiet. It was another hour and a half before train 148 appeared.

1016 Lynden - CN 148 east - CN 5742-CN 2641

Then it got extremely quiet. After nearly two hours of nothing I drove to Brantford for a change of scenery and some lunch which was eaten at the VIA station while waiting for train 72.

1220 Brantford - VIA 72 east - VIA 915

After 72 passed by I decided to head to the former station site in Paris for train 73. While en route I heard train 588 alert the dispatcher they were ready to return to Brantford from Paris Junction. I met up with them at Power Line Road between Paris and Brantford.

1248 west of Brantford - CN 588 east - CN 7039

Just as I was approaching the station site in Paris train 73 set off the detector at mile 27. With little time to spare I managed to photograph it.

1301 Paris - VIA 73 west - VIA 6401

I passed by the signals at Market Street to see they were all red. I continued west until Princeton where Missy and I got out an relaxed on the grass behind the post office. Nothing moved on the Canadian National's Dundas Subdivision. So far today I managed mostly to read my book and not much else.

With nothing on the horizon and word of a couple trains on the Canadian Pacific's Galt Subdivision I made the short drive north to Gobles Road just west of Drumbo and waited there. Upon arrival I noticed the signal east of the road was lit although this turned out to be a false occupancy. Before long a signal maintainer obtained a track permit to check it out. Not long after he drove by in the hi-rail an eastbound ethanol train was allowed through.

1602 Gobles - CP 626 east - CP 5970-DME 6364-DME 6092-CITX 3055

Next the signal maintainer repaired the issue and the westbound that had been waiting in the siding in Wolverton was able to pass as well.

1641 Gobles - CP 441 west - CP 5925-CP 5988

In an effort to improve the angle of the sun I drove to Woodstock where the Galt Subdivision runs north to south. I waited there for a while but all I managed to do was narrowly miss the London Pickup. After a while I heard a Canadian National eastbound and decided to call it quits.

I began my journey homeward on Highway 403 and encountered train 330 perched atop the bridge over the highway. I exited into Brantford and went to Hardy to see it. Just as I walked up to the tracks VIA train 675 blew through with an F40PH-2 decorated with Coors Light decals.

1858 Hardy - VIA 675 west - VIA 6408

Then it was 330's turn.

1900 Hardy - CN 330 east - CN 2556-5738

Train 330 met a westbound between Lynden and Massey's but by this point I didn't really care. I just drove for home. The most productive part of the day was being able to read through three quarters of my book. Next time I'll either just stay home or head to New York.

Trackside Log for Sunday, April 24, 2011

2011-04-24T14:58:00.000-04:00

Missy and I were relaxing at home today before the drive back to Binbrook for my nephew's first birthday. I had the scanner on again which was quiet until the early afternoon when train 246 announced their presence in Vinemount. It was overcast but not terribly dark so I took Missy to River Road to see it.

1412 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 9640-CP 8543

While we were out I also went for a walk with Missy before returning home.

Trackside Log for Saturday, April 23, 2011

2011-04-23T23:00:00.046-04:00

Today was my family's Easter supper gathering in Binbrook. The original forecast was for rain but the skies cleared up at about noon. I took the opportunity to take my camera and tripod to E&O Crossing and Wabash Crossing at Attercliffe Station en route to Binbrook. The goal was to photograph what remains of both junctions in 360° to assemble large panoramic photographs.

The first, Wabash Crossing, is the former diamond between the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo's Dunnville Subdivision and the Wabash and Canadian National's Cayuga Subdivision. Only the Dunnville Subdivision remains here and is now used by Canadian Pacific to access Port Maitland.

1458 Attercliffe Station - Wabash Crossing

The second, E&O Crossing, is the former diamond between the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo's Dunnville Subdivision and the Michigan Central's Canada Division Main Line. No tracks remain at this location.

1509 Attercliffe Station - E&O Crossing

Bruce Mercer photographed E&O tower here years earlier when everything was intact.

E&O tower

These photographs were each created by stitching together 31 individual photographs. They are slightly more than 360° in scope.

Trackside Log for Friday, April 22, 2011

2011-04-22T21:43:00.001-04:00

Today was Good Friday and Missy and I started it by taking a drive to see if we could photograph Canadian National train 421. First we passed by Canadian Pacific's Welland Yard to see if there was any activity. Lo and behold a northbound had just arrived.

1003 Welland - CP 255 north - CP 6016-CITX 3095-CITX 3170

After a few photographs we headed for the Canadian National Stamford Subdivision. I always cruise by Netherby diamond to check out the signals. When we drove over the Netherby Road crossing everything was red in both directions. However, at the same moment I heard train 421 switching in Port Robinson Yard. Our timing was good so I drove to House Road in Stevensville and waited.

1059 Stevensville - CN 421 east - CN 8927-CN 2627

Since I'd found my prey and that's what amounts to traffic in Niagara these days Missy and I returned home. I left the scanner on for the day but there was no activity on the Canadian Pacific Hamilton Subdivision until the afternoon when train 246 called out the Smithville mile board. It was getting cloudier but I took Missy to Sumbler Road for a photograph anyway.

1608 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 9768-CITX 2796-SOO 6057

That evening I decided it would be a nice change to drive Missy to Attercliffe Station and take her for a walk over the abandoned portion of the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Dunnville Subdivision to what remains of E&O Junction. Then we followed the abandoned Canada Southern right of way back out. The foundation of E&O tower is still there but not much else. It was a nice walk nonetheless.

That night I still had the scanner on and heard Canadian Pacific empty ethanol train 627 obtain a clearance from Brookfield to Kinnear. When it approached town I wandered outside to take a look although it was quite truly dark.

2305 Fenwick - CP 627 north - CP 8756-CEFX 1030

As the train rattled through the Church Street crossing it began to rain so I returned home.

Trackside Log for Saturday, April 16, 2011

2011-04-16T09:27:00.000-04:00

I awoke to a rainy, miserable spring day this morning. As I was collecting myself for the day an empty ethanol train slid through town. The rain was significant enough that I merely watched it roll through town.

0828 Fenwick - CP 627 north - CP 9640

Chalk that up as the most boring ethanol train I've seen on the Canadian Pacific Hamilton Subdivision to date. Just as he cleared town he gave a track release to train 255. By the time the second train was approaching town the rain had subsided enough that I decided to take Missy out to see it.

0859 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 8642-CP 8823-SOO 6045

With nothing else to see Missy and I returned home to spend the miserable day inside.

Trackside Log for Friday, April 15, 2011

2011-04-15T19:43:00.000-04:00

It was a bright sunny morning although it was cool and quite windy. However, since the cold and the wind don't affect photography I toted my camera along to work today. I made the slight detour past the Southern Ontario Railway yard in Garnet to see if train 596 was parked there.

0920 Garnet - SOR 596 south - RLK 4057-RLK 4095-NECR 3840

After work it was still nice and bright outside but the clouds were starting to move in. We were in for some rain for the weekend. Ugh! But it wasn't here yet so I took another detour on my way back home. I headed down to Nanticoke to see if I could locate the Southern Ontario Railway again. As luck would have it they were switching the south end of the yard at the Esso refinery.

1612 Nanticoke - SOR switcher - NECR 3840-RLK 4095-RLK 4057

Just moments after I finished photographing the train the crew closed the gate into Esso and ran back to the north end of the yard. Nice timing. With nothing else for me to photograph I drove home for the weekend.

Trackside Log for Tuesday, April 12, 2011

2011-04-12T19:38:00.000-04:00

Once again it was a rather nice, bright morning so I took my camera along and passed by the Southern Ontario Railway's yard in Garnet before work. As usual train 596 was parked at the south end of the yard.

0920 Garnet - SOR 596 south - NECR 3840-RLK 4095-RLK 4057

After my appointment that afternoon in downtown Hamilton I had a little extra time. I drove past Canadian National's Aldershot Yard to see if there was any activity. I arrived just in time to witness train 551 heading west to run around their train.

1530 Aldershot - CN 551 west - CN 7081-CN 1444

After a few minutes it returned eastward to lift their train.

1537 Aldershot - CN 551 west (reversing) - CN 7081-CN 1444

Just after I'd photographed train 551 I heard the Canadian Pacific Hamilton Subdivision dispatcher talking to train 246. It was meeting train 255 at Kinnear after which it would be heading south. Since I was headed the same direction I chose to meet it for a photograph in Grassie.

1641 Grassie - CP 246 south - CP 8739-CP 9673

The train handily beat me to Fenwick. However, I was easily able to out pace it (legally) from there to the Welland River thanks to the 25 mile per hour speed restriction. I was able to watch the train cross the bridge there.

1713 Welland River - CP 246 south - CP 8739-CP 9673

After the locomotive consist had crossed the bridge I drove home to greet Missy.

Trackside Log for Saturday, April 9, 2011

2011-04-09T15:26:00.090-04:00

Today I was meeting up with Marcus to head across the border to see what might be happening on CSX and Norfolk Southern west of Buffalo, New York. But first Missy and I went for our morning walk. Just as we were crossing Foss Road on our way back home train 254 arrived in town. As we were walking up my driveway the train stopped so I got my camera and proceeded to Chantler Road for a photograph.

0718 Fenwick - CP 254 south - CP 5919-CITX 3170-CP 8244-CP 6069

What do you know? CP 8244 was on its way back to the Delaware & Hudson. Not long after we got back home Marcus arrived and we started our drive. After an effortless border crossing we drove directly to Dunkirk, New York where we discovered some yard power parked on the bridge over Main Street.

1008 Dunkirk, NY - CSX Y124 power - CSXT 1545-CSXT 2506

Our primary destination for the day was Westfield, New York, so after finding nothing else to photograph in Dunkirk we drove to the small railfan park there. The park is situated between the CSX and Norfolk Southern tracks and is rather convenient. Then we waited. After an hour the first train finally arrived.

1131 Westfield, NY - CSX K698 east - CSXT 7568-CSXT 8619
1140 Westfield, NY - CSX Q114 east - CSXT 5213-CSXT 7782-CSXT 7816-CSXT 223
1155 Westfield, NY - NS 14M east - NS 9511-UP 9324

The Union Pacific C40-8 was one of a group leased to Norfolk Southern. A decal reading "NS Lease" was affixed to the cab. After the Norfolk Southern train passed it was time for another lull.

1309 Westfield, NY - CSX Q160 east - CSXT 7683-CSXT 8742
1320 Westfield, NY - CSX L115 west - CSXT 5487-CSXT 436-CSXT 7854
1340 Westfield, NY - NS 22K east - NS 9377-NS 9946-NS 7671
1343 Westfield, NY - CSX Q281 west - CSXT 7718-CSXT 8161
1403 Westfield, NY - NS 287 west - HLCX 5975-NS 8400

After the Helm led westbound on Norfolk Southern we determined that it was time for lunch. We headed into town to pick up some food but discovered another CSX westbound en route.

1416 Westfield, NY - CSX Q117 west - CSXT 5206-CSXT 5446-CSXT 564

After lunch we decided a change of scenery was warranted. We started heading farther west whilst keeping an eye on the tracks. Just west of Westfield we discovered an eastbound at Rogerville Road and a westbound soon after.

1502 Westfield, NY - CSX Q264 east - CSXT 4727-CSXT 840
1509 Westfield, NY - CSX Q109 west - CSXT 910-CSXT 739-CSXT 7898

As we drove along Route 20 we noticed a Norfolk Southern ballast train parked in Ripley siding. We stopped for a few photographs of it and the CSX freight that arrived while we were there.

1519 Ripley, NY - NS ballast train - NS 5178
1530 Ripley, NY - CSX K645 west - CSXT 5201-CSXT 9024

Eventually we found ourselves at Bort Road in North East, Pennsylvania waiting for another Norfolk Southern eastbound. We intentionally drove into the cloudy weather to enable a better photograph of this eastbound.

1619 North East, PA - NS 206 east - NS 2575-NS 6782
1648 North East, PA - CSX Q378 east - CSXT 4576-CSXT 5460

After waiting half an hour for a CSX train we decided to return east and hunt for clear skies again. When we arrived back at Westfield, New York the skies were partially cleared and we discovered a pair of CSX trains.

1718 Westfield, NY - CSX Q351 west - CSXT 4523-CSXT 4768
1720 Westfield, NY - CSX Q122 east - CSXT 5225-CSXT 4733-CSXT 7638

We continued on after the pair of CSX trains until we heard another train on the scanner. We stopped at the CSX tracks in Sheridan but apparently had just missed it. Naturally, while there a Norfolk Southern train also cruised through town so we missed two. Oh well. The day was waning so we pushed on toward home. As we drove through Silvercreek, New York we could see a parked CSX rail train above the Central Avenue overpass. We stopped for a couple photographs and also encountered a westbound Norfolk Southern coal train.

1828 Silvercreek, NY - CSX W019 rail train - CSXT 2330-CSXT 6412
1833 Silvercreek, NY - NS westbound coal - NS 9927-NS 9332-NS 9376

We stopped off at Blasdell, New York on the way home but nothing showed up. So we called it a day and drove back toward the border.

So the tally for the day was CSX 15 and Norfolk Southern 6. I broke two records that day. The first was for the most Norfolk Southern trains I've ever seen on the former Nickel Plate. The second albeit dubious record was for the fewest CSX trains I've ever seen on the former New York Central.

Trackside Log for Friday, April 8, 2011

2011-04-08T19:05:00.000-04:00

Tonight I was just returning from a neighbourly visit next door when, upon entering my house, I heard the scanner chirp up. A southbound Canadian Pacific train was calling out the Boyle mile board. I got my camera then Missy and I drove down to River Road for a photograph.

1827 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 6060-STLH 5593

The St. Lawrence & Hudson locomotives are few now and STLH 5593 is certainly looking worse for wear. It was also nice to see one of the attractive green Saskatchewan cylindrical covered hoppers near the end of the train.

Trackside Log for Thursday, April 7, 2011

2011-04-07T19:45:00.000-04:00

Today found me back in downtown Hamilton for another appointment. I had a bit of time to pass so as before I drove past Aldershot yard to see if there was any activity. Once again train 435 was just finishing their work and were about to continue westward. This time I chose the pedestrian bridge at mile one of the Dundas Subdivision for my vantage point.

1649 Dundas - CN 435 west - CN 2566-CN 2436-CN 5649-CN 1437

Once the head end had passed below me I walked back to my car and wove my way into the heart of Hamilton for my appointment.

Trackside Log for Sunday, April 3, 2011

2011-04-03T09:35:00.001-04:00

Missy and I were just returning from running an errand this morning when I heard a northbound train on the scanner report the north siding switch Welland returned to the normal position. I got my camera and we popped over to Chantler Road for a look.

0858 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 9547-CP 5919

Not long afterward train 247 reported the south siding switch Welland returned to normal. Once again Missy and I headed over to Chantler Road to see it, one of the few locations that provide a reasonably good photographic opportunity for morning northbounds.

0957 Fenwick - CP 247 north - CP 8744-CP 8563

During the hour between trains the clouds started to move in. The sky wasn't so very blue as it had been.

Trackside Log for Saturday, April 2, 2011

2011-04-02T19:05:00.002-04:00

I had the scanner tuned into the Canadian Pacific's Hamilton Subdivision road frequency for the day. However, it was very quiet. Finally, in the early afternoon train 255 acquired a clearance from the dispatcher. I waited for it to get to Brookfield before heading over to Welland Yard to see it.

1404 Welland - CP 255 north - CP 8641-CP 8725-CP 8244

CP 8244 is ex-STLH 8244, ex-CP 8244, nee CP 8834:1 and has been assigned to the Delaware & Hudson for many years. Since I rarely see this GP9 and the clouds were not cooperating at Welland Yard I decided to meet up with it somewhere around Smithville for another attempt.

1439 Grassie - CP 255 north - CP 8641-CP 8725-CP 8244

The photograph at Grassie worked out much better. An interesting detail of CP 8244 is that it still has the 52 year old steel plate across the grille behind the cab where the yellow stripe was applied from its original maroon and grey paint.

Trackside Log for Friday, April 1, 2011

2011-04-01T16:59:00.000-04:00

Just as I was returning home from work I heard some horns from the south. A northbound Canadian Pacific train was imminent. I went inside to fetch Missy and returned to the outdoors in time to watch a loaded rail train pass through town.

1651 Fenwick - CP northbound rail train - CP 6061-CP 8632

The continuous welded rail cars were very shiny black. They looked to be quite new.

Trackside Log for Monday, March 28, 2011

2011-03-28T20:06:00.000-04:00

This afternoon I had a little time to bide before an appointment in Hamilton. I drove down to Aldershot yard in time to see a westbound departing. I drove over to Plains Road for a photograph.

1403 Burlington - CN 435 west - CN 2568-CN 5628

Next I drove over to the Southern Ontario Railway's yard in Hamilton to see what was going on there. I first headed over to the shops.

1433 Hamilton - SOR power - RLK 1757-SOR 1359
1433 Hamilton - SOR power - SOR 5005

And then to Bay Street where maintenance crews were working on CEFX 2014.

1439 Hamilton - SOR power - RLK 1755-RLK 1808
1439 Hamilton - SOR power - CEFX 2014

After the photographs I left for my appointment.

Trackside Log for Sunday, March 27, 2011

2011-03-27T22:30:00.002-04:00

Once again this morning I awoke to the sound of air horns approaching town. Today it was Canadian Pacific train 255 north. I didn't really have any way of getting out to photograph it so I watched it roll by behind my house.

0729 Fenwick - CP 255 north - SOO 6050-HLCX 7003-CEFX 3163-CP 5958

CEFX 6009 was conspicuously missing from the consist which was on train 254 south two days earlier. Nonetheless, Missy and I got our day started. It was a spectacular sunny day so I thought a road trip would be appropriate. I gathered the gear and set out. I didn't really have a plan but found myself driving northwest. My first stop of note was the VIA station in Kitchener. There I found the pair of LLPX GP38s the Goderich-Exeter Railway has had for a long time.

1006 Kitchener - GEXR power - LLPX 2210-LLPX 2236

At this point I finally figured out where I wanted to go for the day. It had been a very long time since I'd followed the Goderich-Exeter so I struck off for Stratford. I pulled up to the station to discover another pair of parked locomotives.

1051 Stratford - GEXR power - GEXR 3821-RLK 2211

The next destination was the shore of Lake Huron and the town of Goderich. I pulled up to the former Canadian National station and found four locomotives in the dead line. However, the sun wasn't at a very photogenic angle so Missy and I opted to take lunch down to the former Canadian Pacific roundhouse area. I ate lunch while watching the Algoma Central Marine ship Capt. Henry Jackman load salt. When lunch was eaten we returned to the dead line to better lighting.

1242 Goderich - GEXR power - GEXR 3834-RLK 1400-RLK 1401
1244 Goderich - GEXR power - GEXR 4046

After some photographs I thought to myself, "The Canadian National Strathroy Subdivision isn't that far away." So I turned south and followed the eastern shore of Lake Huron to Wyoming. My timing was fairly good. As I was approaching town I heard the CN DI dispatcher inform train 393 that it would meet train 330 at Wanstead. I arrived in Wyoming with plenty of time for 393.

1414 Wyoming - CN 393 west - CN 2624-CN 2632-CN 2647-CN 9542

As it turned out, I narrowly missed seeing train 385 as well. Oh well. You can't have everything. Missy and I were still up for some exploration so we followed the Strathroy Subdivision a little farther east to Wanstead. I was hoping to photograph something passing by the grain elevators there so I parked and waited. Before long a VIA train screamed into town.

1449 Wanstead - VIA 85 west - VIA 6431

Now I began to wend my way back toward home. While driving along the Strathroy Subdivision I spotted another Canadian National westbound but I didn't have much hope of catching up to it before Sarnia. That was too far and it was a boring looking train so I continued eastward. At Hyde Park I stopped to photograph the old wooden bridge over the Canadian National tracks.

1550 Hyde Park - Franks Lane bridge

I would have liked to have photographed a train passing under the bridge, but after a short wait and nothing pending I continued east. I meandered my way through London and before long found myself on Highway 19 driving toward Tillsonburg. But I first stopped in Salford at the Ontario Southland Railway shops.

1704 Salford - OSRX 175-OSRX 501
1704 Salford - OSRX 182-OSRX 500
1704 Salford - OSRX 644

I drove through Tillsonburg and over to the St. Thomas and Eastern's yard. As usual their power was parked near Vienna Road.

1728 Tillsonburg - STER power - TRRY 1842
1728 Tillsonburg - STER power - STER 3582

My final railway oriented stop was the Southern Ontario Railway. I drove past both Garnet and Nanticoke but to no avail. I couldn't find the train anywhere. No matter. The day was thoroughly enjoyable and Missy had great fun too.

Trackside Log for Saturday, March 26, 2011

2011-03-26T11:24:00.000-04:00

This morning I heard horns in the distance just as I was getting up. I looked out the back window to see a trio of SD40-2s pass by. The second of them was an Iowa, Chicago & Eastern. The sun hadn't yet cleared the trees and I wasn't quite ready to leave the house so I decided to head out with Missy for a photograph after they finished working Welland Yard. I took Missy over to the yard to watch them lift cars out of the CaSo track before driving over to Brookfield for a picture in better light.

0911 Brookfield - CP 254 south - CP 6043-ICE 6427-CP 5927

While waiting for train 254 I heard them issue a track release to a train 626 that was approaching. The Hamilton Subdivision dispatcher ordered train 254 to come to a stop because of a problem with clearance at the border which meant that I would easily be able to move to a new location for the ethanol train. I opted to photograph it exiting the tunnel under the Welland Canal.

0939 Welland - CP 626 south - CP 6046-CSXT 307-CSXT 7395-CSXT 7796

Astonishing. Canadian Pacific ran an ethanol train on the Hamilton Subdivision in daylight, on the weekend, and in sunshine! After a few photographs from atop the Highway 140 bridge Missy and I headed back home.

Trackside Log for Friday, March 25, 2011

2011-03-25T10:46:00.001-04:00

I was working from home today and turned the scanner on after Missy and I returned from our walk. It wasn't long before I heard Canadian Pacific train 247 working Welland Yard. After it finished and obtained its clearance from Welland to Kinnear I drove out to Chantler Road for a photograph.

0956 Fenwick - CP 247 north - SOO 6045-HLCX 7231-HLCX 7230

My, what a colourful locomotive consist. It takes me back to the Canadian Pacific of the 1990s. Train 254 later on that evening reaffirmed my 1990s déjà vu. I heard the crew call out mile board Smithville with an SD40-2 leading. I figured there was a good chance for something interesting behind it so I headed out to River Road for photographs.

1744 Fenwick - CP 254 south - CP 5958-CEFX 3163-HLCX 7003-SOO 6050-CEFX 6009

The train proved to be an assortment of GM motive power indeed. It was rather surprising to see the expatriate CEFX 6009 bringing up the rear. As the former SOO 6009 it was back visiting what were once home rails.

Trackside Log for Thursday, March 24, 2011

2011-03-24T19:47:00.003-04:00

As is often the case in southern Ontario, today was a beautiful sunny day after the snow storm the day before. Since it was looking quite nice out I took my camera along to work this morning and passed by Garnet to see if the Southern Ontario Railway was parked there. It was.

0933 Garnet - SOR 596 south - NECR 3840-RLK 4057-RMPX 9431-RLK 4095

I'm still rather surprised at how frequently the power on the train gets shuffled around. The CEFX GP20D is gone, in its place is RLK 4095 and the New England Central GP38 is up front.

Trackside Log for Monday, March 21, 2011

2011-03-21T16:29:00.030-04:00

The previous day was the Montreal St. Patrick's Day Parade. Unfortunately I was only able to see about a half hour of it. I spent the rest of the day in bed at the Comfort Inn not feeling well. However, I awoke this morning feeling much better although not completely well. Nevertheless it was time to drive back to Ontario. Once again Sam and I would make our route through New York.

The morning started by snowing and would remain that way until we crossed the border into New York. We only made one stop in Quebec at Huntingdon to see if there was anything parked there. CSX provided nothing of interest so we kept driving. Our route followed the former New York Central St. Lawrence Division south. Activity on this track, now operated by CSX, is quite limited so I didn't really expect to much. Sam had a few packages she wanted to post so we located the post office in Gouverneur. While she conducted her business I made a quick run over to the tracks to check them out. I was stopped at the Beckwith Street crossing behind a school bus when I heard horns approaching from the south. Unbelievable.

1429 Gouverneur, NY - CSX Q621 north (CN 327) - CSXT 554-CSXT 7633

It was getting rather dark under the overcast skies. The only other stop we made was in Syracuse to visit a friend of Sam's. Otherwise we drove directly back home.

The weekend was marred by my illness but the weather for the parade was perfect and by all accounts it went perfectly. Although I wasn't as healthy as I would have liked for the drive to and from Montreal at least I was able to photograph some interesting trains.