Picasa Web Albums - Brian Switzer

Gmail Calendar Documents Photos Sites Groups Search More »

New Features | Help | Sign in

This is a slide by Wm (Bill) Common. It is eastbound train 792, which operated London East to Niagara Falls Ont. in the timeframe of late afternoon/early evening. RS-3 3005 and a 2nd RS-3 (unidentified) are about to begin their descent to the bottom of the grade at Hamilton West. The VW belonged to Agent/Operator LH Archer. The wooden overpass in the background was a private farm crossing. (1962, Copetown, Ontario)

A huge overnight snowfall is causing operational headaches in Southern Ontario. Passing beneath the James St North bridge, on it's way to Fort Erie, is CN train 469 ("the pulpwood train") with pooled power ONR 1519-1305-1520. A fan trip this day, with CN Northern 6218, is topping up the water at Stuart Street. A number of brave souls left the warmth of our E/M coaches to shoot this one. A Kodak Instamatic slide. (January 23, 1966, Hamilton, Ontario)

Possibly a slide by Ray Szabo (obtained in trade), here is NW-2 GTW 7973 in the company of 8202 and 8205, at Milwaukee Jct in Detroit. (January 1966, Milwaukee Junction, Detroit, Michigan)

CN train 466, with 4597 and leased PNC 971 (ex DT&I 971) accelerates on the Halton Sub. passing Burlington station. Dig the plain bearings on the frame flat ! A Kodak Instamatic slide. (September 22, 1972, Burlington, Ontario)

While working at CN Dundas, it was always a standing order to have your camera at the ready. Here we have Toronto-Windsor morning train #149 with borrowed GO Transit GP40TC 9803 and the usual compliment of 5 TEMPO cars. I was probably in a rush to take this and had to load the checked baggage before the Conductor pulled the air signal line to depart ! A Kodak Instamatic slide. (February 13, 1972, Dundas, Ontario)

In June 1972, Hurricane Agnes swept north along the eastern US seaboard, before turning inland. There was wide destruction in the states of NJ, PA and NY. It soon became apparent that Erie Lackawanna and Lehigh Valley needed to move thousands of cars on a detour route. They contracted with CN and CP to do just that, making for prime photography in southern Ontario. Here is a CPR detour of E-L train PO-98 with SD45's 3661-3652, exiting from beneath the High Level bridge and straining to move his 108 loaded cars toward Toronto. (June 26, 1972, Bayview Junction, Ontario)

On Day 8 of the Hurricane Agnes detours, CPR was handling E-L train TC-1 along the CN Oakville Sub. U25B 2519 leads C425 2454 and U25B 2512 with 111 cars. Once again, note the freight cars on the Fruit Track behind the station. In the lower left, we find local fans Charlie Begg and Bryce Lee, who were also recording the passage of TC-1. (July 2, 1972, Burlington, Ontario)

This is Day 16 of the Hurricane Agnes detours. Once again, CP is handling E-L train TC-1 via the CN Oakville Sub. with SD45 3612, GP35's 2558-2577-2564 and U25B 2523 (dead), with 106 cars. In the lower left, local fan Doug Lawson is also recording the passage of TC-1. A Kodak Instamatic slide. (July 10, 1972, Burlington, Ontario)

On Day 2 of the Hurricane Agnes detours, E-L hotshot NY-100 showed up at CN Fort Erie with an ABBA of F7's and F3's. I was positioned between the Oakville Sub. and the Halton Sub. at Burlington to record this train's passage. 6361-6332-7062-7094 are hauling 53 loaded piggyback's, operating as CN train D-846 ( fourth train of that number on that calendar day). June 26, 1972. A Kodak Instamatic slide. (June 26, 1972, Burlington, Ontario)

With my recently purchased CANON FTb and a fresh roll of Kodachrome 64, I went searching for subjects on a snowless December day. At the York Road overpass, on CN's Dundas Sub. I found Sarnia-Toronto manifest #414 with 5018- leased C&O GP-9 6038, and 2 brand new GP38-2's, 5504 and 5500. (Dec 3, 1972, York Road, Dundas, Ontario)

Here is train #414 once again, after arrival at the east end of CN Aldershot Yard. The lure of those 2 trailing units was too much to resist! (Dec 3, 1972, King Road, Aldershot, Ontario)

Another eastbound at York Road, on the CN Dundas Sub. I don't seem to have this train written in my notebook, but it appears to be # 792, London-Niagara Falls. (Early Dec, 1972, York Road, Dundas, Ontario)

It was not a nice day weather-wise, but a visit to London, St. Thomas and Sarnia still brought nice results. If you locate my slide of CN 4-8-2 6069 at Sarnia, you'll notice the weather improved, slightly. Brand new GP38-2 CN 5534 is running up and down the 'test track' parallelling the CP Galt Subdivision. (January 23, 1973, London, Ontario)

This was another day trip to London and St Thomas. With my newly acquired 150mm telephoto lens, I captured the Woodstock yard engine having lunch on the north side of the Dundas Sub. (January 25, 1973, Woodstock, Ontario)

At CN London East, a pair of damaged QNS&L SD40-2's were awaiting movement back to GMD for repairs. Unfortunately they were nose-coupled. (January 25, 1973, London, Ontario)

QNS&L 240 (and the 228) were at CN London East this day, returned to GMD for damage repairs. The damage to 240 is less severe (on the opposite side) then the 228. (January 25, 1973, London, Ontario)

Having 'armed' myself with the 150mm, I was standing on the platorm as Windsor-Toronto morning train #142 made it's brief station stop. TEMPO RS18u 3154, and a 2nd unidentified RS18u, have their 5-car consist ready to leave, as soon as that Agent/Operator loads the checked baggage! (January 25, 1973, Woodstock, Ontario)

During the 1960's and 1970's (right up until VIA Rail Canada was created), CN utilized their passenger locomotives in short-turn freight service, on weekends in southern Ontario. On a crisp cold afternoon, I was working at Dundas when Sarnia-Toronto manifest #496 came east with MLW's 6785-6777-6868-6767. (December 16, 1972, Dundas, Ontario)

Going-away shot of CN 6785-6777-6868-6767 at Dundas on train 496. (December 26, 1972, Dundas, Ontario)

Looks as if a slight warming trend has occurred ! Windsor-Toronto mid morning train # 142 with lightweight, high-speed GP9 4105, and an unidentified TEMPO RS18u, are descending past the station with 9 cars in tow. 142 did not stop at Dundas. (February 7, 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

Once more, having the camera while on-duty, is a distinct advantage, Toronto-Sarnia manifest 407 with 4 GP-9's is slugging up Copetown Hill on this crystal clear day. 407/408 always had piggyback traffic on the headend. CN 4537-CO 6038-CN 4590-45xx (#407). (February 7, 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

Going away shot of train 407, with freshly painted CN 4590 (#407). February 7, 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

CN train 552 with M636 2335 passing Burlington with it's usual mix of traffic. The Brant Street underpass has recently been constructed. (February 1973, Burlington, Ontario)

Mid afternoon Windsor-Toronto train #146 glides to a stop at Dundas, on this dull day. FPA-4 6764 and a sister FPA-4 can easily handle this abbreviated consist. (February 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

Midday train #141, Toronto-Windsor with TEMPO RS18u 3153 arrives Burlington for a short station stop. (January 1973, Burlington, Ontario)

Train 552 with almost-new GP38-2 5510 passing Burlington station. Note the brand new Procor-built pressurized CN hopper, and a couple of tank cars. (January 1973, Burlington, Ontario)

M636 2327- GP40 4003 working hard on train 389 (Fort Erie-Sarnia ) on a cold January day. (January 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

Sometimes you get lucky ! Fort Erie to Sarnia manifest 389, with SD40 5144- GP9 4589, combine exhaust and sand with the smoking brake shoes of an unidentified eastbound. The ONLY reason I got this particular shot is, I'm on-duty and I know 389 is on his way up the hill on the South track.The 5144 shows the early style of ditchlights; it was maintenance-assigned to Calder Yard, Edmonton when this slide was taken. (December 1972, Dundas, Ontario)

My notes are missing for this particular shot but I would say it's either a 391 or a Sarnia Extra (831). Leased C&O GP9 6202 trails SD40 5024 passing my 'office'. (February 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

Niagara Falls-London East train 793 finds 4569 - GTW 4702 (yes, it's blue !) grinding up Copetown Hill. (February 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

While the exact date of this photo is unknown, I know it's taken during March 1973. Dundas station has been closed, and the positions abolished. I was likely on my rest days when I took a hike east of the station and caught Niagara Falls-London East train 793, passing the Canada Crushed & Cut Stone loadouts. The incline was for materials such as dynamite, for blasting at the quarry on highway #5. CN roadswitcher 534 from Hamilton switched the actual loadouts. (March 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

I have no positive ID for this train, taken during my final weeks at Dundas station. 5054 leads C&O 6205 on what might be train 407 or 389. The hoppers in the Back Track are for loading at Canada Crushed & Cut Stone. (January 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

I have no positive ID for this train, but given the auto traffic plus the loaded multi-level, it would almost have to be a 413. Two GTW's plus an RS18 and a CN GP9 are moving westward by the station. (December 1972, Dundas, Ontario)

CN 5013-5074 are lugging train 407 westward toward Sarnia in this undated slide. Note that 5074 has been involved in an collision, and had it's rear hood portion replaced with Dash 2 parts. (December 1972, Dundas, Ontario)

CN's first GP40 is staring down CN's 2nd GP35 on the ready tracks. (March 14, 1973, CN Toronto Yard, Toronto, Ontario)

One need not have a date or a location to assist in identifying this train ! Toronto/London freights 794 and 795 were nearly always "blessed" with multiples of GR-12's either in the form of triplets, or quartets. Note the sectionman's house, complete with motor car pulloff, still standing on the south side. (February 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

Given the angle of the sun ( and the slide processing date), this would have to be train 391, being handled by SD40's 5031-5036 during a snowless week. Can you read the Arrivals and Departures board?? (December 1972 or January 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

An unidentified westbound with M636 2331 and leased C&O GP9 6054 is entertaining me on a typical day at Dundas. CN leased 45 C&O GP9's from December 1972 to February 1973. (December 1972 or January 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

Leased C&O 6054 is a clean machine, as it trails M636 2331 at Dundas. Still has it's builders plate too! (December 1972 or January 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

You can tell I don't have a passenger train due within the next 30 minutes ! Ron Piskor and I found a vantage point during a heavy snowsquall, as Niagara Falls-London East train 793 approaches. (February 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

Idling 8112 is behind the working power on train 793, during a heavy snowsquall. The 8112-8119 were maintenance assigned to Fort Erie diesel shop, and it was likely enroute for use at London. By September 1973, it was off the roster. (February 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

M636 2329 and C630 2003 would seem to have hotshot 391 moving right along, during the same snowsqall ( as seen in the previous 2 slides, here and here). My inexperience with an SLR shows prominently. (February 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

CN 5511 and GTW 4921 (..and ?) are westbound at Dundas (train and date unknown). (February 1972, Dundas, Ontario)

Westbound at Dundas with CN 5511 leading. (February 1972, Dundas, Ontario)

The last run for London engineer McMonagle is evident by the plywood sign mounted to the handrails of 4517, on Niagara Falls-London East train 793. (February 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

CN 4273, with 4504, drifts eastbound, downgrade, in this quick shot at the east end of the platform. This lightweight GP9 was assigned to Symington Yard, Winnipeg, at the time. (February 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

SRS 126 was caught on the Halton Sub. in the vicinity of Walkers Line. (February 14, 1973, Burlington, Ontario)

Another bright morning, another good looking westbound for me to capture on my newly acquired Canon SLR. M636's 2300-2336 would seem to have train 389 well in hand, headed for Sarnia. (December 1972 or January 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

M636's 2300-2336 on 389. (December 1972 or January 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

Train 476 with RS18 3698, C&O 6037 and a C&O unidentified, passes Dundas station. By 1973, the chances of C&O gp9's mu'ing with Alco-designed power, were pretty slim. Unless of course you are CN, who have 45 of them on lease. (February 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

SD40's 5075 and 504x are likely pulling train 391 upgrade toward Copetown, and eventual destination Sarnia. The Dundas Valley is evident in the background. (February 1973, Dundas, Ontario)

Looking for all the world like 1963, even in 1973 it was difficult to photograph 3 CN locos in original green/gold/black. But, here are SW1200RS' 1209-1242-1243 on what must be London East-Toronto train 794, all in near-perfect paint ! As I said, sometimes you have to be lucky... (December 1972 or January 1973, Dundas, Ontario)