Caption: CN SW1200RS units 1243 and 1251 head up the southwest leg of the GECO Branch with a local freight to switch some customers, about to cross Milne Ave. in the industrial area surrounding the Kingston Sub in Scarborough.

The 3-mile GECO Branch or GECO Spur branched off CN's Kingston Sub at Mile 327.0 and ran to the Uxbridge Sub at MP 59.5, over part of the old Canadian Northern Orono Sub right-of-way (which had been abandoned in the 1920's post-Canadian National takeover). The spur was constructed in the late 1940's/early 1950's to serve the "The Golden Mile" area of Scarborough that was experiencing post-war industrial and residential growth (The Golden Mile area originated with the General Engineering Company of Ontario (GECO) munitions plant constructed during World War 2 in the Warden & Eglinton area, after which the Township of Scarborough purchased the land). The larger industries around the south end at the time included Pilkington Glass, Lilly Cup, and Patterson Industries. Futher up in the Golden Mile area there was Canadian SKF, Alcan, the Frigidaire/Delco/GM Van Plant, as well as good bunch of smaller industries with rail sidings. CP served the industries on the north side of Eglinton via their Scarborough Industrial Spur.

Over time industries closed, moved, stopped using rail, and the southwest leg of the spur was removed sometime in the late 90's/early 2000's. The east section off the Uxbridge Sub still remains intact to serve the few remaining rail customers in the Golden Mile area.

Mike Mastin photo, Dan Dell'Unto slide collection.