Caption: Running parallel to the Gardiner Expressway, CN SW1200RS 1237 trundles westbound at Mile 4.7 on CN's Oakville Sub on a "caboose hop" with wooden van 78547 on a local job (possibly heading to switch the nearby Ontario Food Terminal, or returning light power to Mimico Yard.
In the foreground is the switch to the former CN Humber Belt Line Spur, once the western branch of the Toronto Beltline Railway, but by this time a siding to the nearby Stelco Swansea Works at The Queensway & Windermere. The Toronto Beltline's "Humber Loop" once ran from here northward and eastward to West Toronto in the 1890's, but was cut down to small spurs when CN predecessor Grand Trunk Railway took over and began running freight. In the 1950's The Queensway was extended west and the spur (still serving one or two customers to the north) had diamonds and crossing protection installed for streetcars. This setup lasted until removal in the mid-60's. Around that time, Stelco expanded their property south over part of the line, and a small portion branching from the Oakville Sub here served as a siding for Stelco into the 1990's (the factory opened in 1885, closed in 1990, demolished for redevelopment in the early 2000's).
Charles Houser photo (maybe), Dan Dell'Unto collection slide.
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WOW! With a little extra wow on the side.
I love the wooden caboose… hard to believe the STELCO SWANSEA survived until 1990…so much MFG down there …not even a distant memory for the Condo Dwellers