Caption: 'The Canadian' is seen throttling up on it's way out of Toronto, headed for the Newmarket Sub connection at Parkdale, crossing Strachan Avenue by the watchman's tower with a mix of CN painted GM units bracketing the VIA painted B unit. CN units were transferred to VIA's roster at startup in 1978. At this time the gates at Strachan Avenue, protecting the double track Weston Sub, double track CP Galt Sub, and multiple leads into CP's Parkdale Yard were still manually operated. I wonder if the steam era bell was still mounted on the east side of the tower by this time? In the background at left, the planing mill of the John B. Smith & Son Lumber Company still stands. The company had been located on this site from 1888 to 1967, when the building took on other uses for various tenants. Today the old planing mill structure remains as Strachan House (est. 1996), supportive housing, and the name is still faintly on the south side of the building seen here. In the distance at right the CPR Tecumseh Street Tower can be seen.

VIA 6531, built as CN 6531 in May 1957 and transferred to VIA March 31, 1978, sold to Algoma Central as 1755 in 1995, sold in 2003 to Pioneer Rail and assigned to the Gettysburg Scenic Railroad until 2020. Purchased by the Potomac Eagle excursion group to be used o their trips out of Romney, West Virginia. Still numbered 1755 and retaining her Algoma colours.

CP switcher action at Strachan Avenue.