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About sdfourty

Best hobby in the world ! A photographer friend recommended the Nikon brand, bought my first used Nikon in 1976 and continue to use that Nikon body regularly. Best ever train ride: Extra 6060 west, a seven car train, Ottawa to Toronto via the (now lifted) Smiths Falls subdivision (mostly at 25 mph) then onto the Kingston sub, west of Napanee the engineer let 6060 really run: at 80+ mph 6060 sounded like the Turbo ! Then a brief stop at Port Hope demonstrated that the 'grape vine' really worked (who needs "social media" ! ) : the whole town showed up! sdfourty.

sdfourty's Railpictures.ca photo upload statistics

Number of images: 577
Total gold: 6454
Number of comments recieved : 865
Number of comments posted : 341
Total views: 1061779

sdfourty has won Editors Choice 5 times

sdfourty has 7 images in the Time Machine

Contact sdfourty

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sdfourty's 577 photos on Railpictures.ca:

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The days of ALCO spotting !
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Eastbound Century's storm through Whitby
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A matched set of MLW 1967 built C-630M's hustle an eastbound high priority.
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And not a G E in sight ! CN Extra 2035 East at CN Whitby, October 9, 1984 Kodachrome by S.Danko
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Interesting: Life before the Double Stack.
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High Priority: note the Pacific Fruit Express controlled temperature reefers on the head end: higher priority than the CAST containers
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Circa 1984: what is a ' double stack ' ?
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The independent shipper CAST containers was a major CN customer: On the verge of bankruptcy, in 1982 the Royal Bank and BMO provided a financial rescue package, then in 1985 CN exercised their option to obtain a 75% ownership of CAST. On to 1995 the CAST Group in financial difficulty again, so CP Ships ( a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific Limited ) bought CAST, then in 2005 the German conglomerate TUI AG offered to acquire CP Ships Limited for US$2.0 billion in cash, merging CP Ships with TUI's Hapag - Lloyd division.
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The C 630 model was ALCO's response to the EMD SD45. The C-630M is the MLW built Century.
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Last call for the ALCO (designed) Century
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<a href="http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id= 11746"> ex CN 2035 in GEXR service </a>
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sdfourty

Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	Canadian National
Date:	10/08/1984
Location:	Whitby
Province:	Ontario

9 Comments | 21 Favourites

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The 1914 built clubhouse for the Scarboro Golf and Country Club provides a classic background for the afternoon Bonaventure,
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VIA train 56, powered by GMD 1957 built FP9A #6523, is braking for the Guildwood station stop.
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At the Kingston Road overpass, June 5, 1983 Kodachrome by S.Danko
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interesting:
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commencing at the 1913 course opening: “A friendly GTR conductor would allow golfers 'a free drop' at the pathway near the (SG&CC )clubhouse....this tradition continued for many years....” [ per Scarborough Centennial Book page 10 ]
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sdfourty

Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	VIA Rail
Date:	06/05/1983
Location:	Guildwood
Province:	Ontario

1 Comments | 15 Favourites

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The shop wheel lathe has the A truck leading axle engaged for SD40 CP Rail 5502
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The lathe main cutting edge is above the flood lamp
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at CP Rail Agincourt, December 15, 1984 Kodachrome by S.Danko
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<a href="http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id= 46389"> in the shop stall </a>
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Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	Canadian Pacific
Date:	12/15/1984
Location:	Agincourt
Province:	Ontario

1 Comments | 8 Favourites

Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	VIA Rail
Date:	08/04/1986
Location:	Havelock
Province:	Ontario

4 Comments | 20 Favourites

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A favourite time of year.... a favourite location....
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A mixed freight with mixed power...
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CN Van 79641 on CN Extra 9576 North [with two geeps ( GP40-2L(W) ) and a C-424],
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At (one of many) bridges over the Severn River, mile 88.2 Bala Subdivision, September 29. 1979 Kodachrome by S.Danko
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<a href="http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id= 46014"> head end </a>
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Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	Canadian National
Date:	09/29/1979
Location:	Washago
Province:	Ontario

1 Comments | 17 Favourites

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...a quiet time at the station...other than Bayview Jct and Guelph Jct....then this was the place to be....
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seems to me that the CN work train equipment spent most of the winter on the Dundas station back track
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In the background, is “THE BEAST”
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My 1965 Ford LTD hardtop powered by a 352 cubic inch V-8
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At CN Dundas, February 19, 1977 Kodachrome by S.Danko
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Notable: In two months, changing the winter rear wheels & tires to summers, upon jacking up the rear bumper, the bumper and back end went up, the rear wheel did not.....cracked the frame behind the rear wheel, drove the Ford until that July....
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Interesting: not being a 'patron', yours truly parked on the far side of the station....is that a flood lamp on the station roof ?
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Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	Canadian National
Date:	02/19/1977
Location:	Dundas
Province:	Ontario

1 Comments | 15 Favourites

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GMD 1966 built CP Rail 5502 at the shop wheel lathe: the A truck leading axle wheels in process.
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At CP Rail Agincourt, December 15, 1984 Kodachrome by S.Danko
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Notable:
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In 1999 CP Rail 5502 sold to Helm Financial to HLCX 6314
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Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	Canadian Pacific
Date:	12/15/1984
Location:	Agincourt
Province:	Ontario

3 Comments | 14 Favourites

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CN Spadina .....just can't get enough !
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Every day was variety day.
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And what to focus on !
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GMD FP9A or GMD F9B or MLW FPA-4 or MLW FPB-4 or MLW RS-18m , or in various permutations: Budd Cars of your choice.
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And the regular visitors: ONR FP7A
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Based on the nose livery, a sampling, from left: CN 6531, VIA 6521, VIA 6865, VIA CN 6778, ONR 1501, ONR 1509, VIA 61XX, CN 3151, VIA CN 6537....
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At CN Spadina, November 4, 1978 Kodachrome by S.Danko
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<a href="http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id= 1850"> visitors </a>
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comment: at that time the CN, was a ward of Your Federal Government, but nevertheless at that time CN had HEART, ...CN cared about customers and employees, and cared about the communities CN served, cared enough to fund and operate a mainline steam locomotive program...a fan could walk into the office sign a release grab a hard hat and away you went...not certain any of that can be said today....except one thing is certain CN cares about today's shareholders....hello Mr. Bill Gates....
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sdfourty

Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	Canadian National
Date:	11/04/1978
Location:	Toronto
Province:	Ontario

1 Comments | 16 Favourites

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What happened to the Renaissance ( of rail travel ) ?
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Westbound VIA powered by GE 2001 built P42DC, #915, breezes under the Newtonville overpass with Renaissance equipment in tow, April 18, 2012 digital by S.Danko
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Noteworthy, what happened to the Renaissance:
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The VIA 7000 series cars were built 1995 – 1996 by Metropolitan – Cammell ( now Alstrom ) in the U.K., for a proposed NightStar overnight channel tunnel service.
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Your federal government spent $130 million to purchase 139 carriages ( cars ), and spent an additional $100 million to complete up to 64 cars for passenger service. Eventually VIA completed up to 94 cars for service – additional costs n/k - after much controversy and a court case regarding accessibility ( the lack thereof ).
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At one point, available for VIA service: 14 club cars, 33 coach; 27 sleeper; 17 service (lounge plus one bedroom for disable person approx an additional $50 million to renovate for accessibility?) ; 3 dining cars, plus some 'transition cars' to allow compatibility with North American rail equipment: all semi permanently connected with the euro style couplers.
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In addition to the above, the $402 million 2002 federal government Renaissance plan included improvements to the corridor ( QC to Windsor) rail infrastructure ( rail upgrade plus new sidings) to allow VIA trains to operate up to 240 kph ( that is 149 m.p.h.)....what ever happened ?
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[ well what happened.....CN got upgraded signaling systems and well manicured mainline sidings to store container trains and the like – at your and my expense and VIA's 240 kph speed limit ? What happened ? ]
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The Renaissance deal on the NightStar carriages that your federal government thought they were getting: the Metro – Cammell carriages are seriously flawed for Canadian service - the federal people involved in the buying decision obviously had little understanding of North American rail operating conditions and climate compared to the 'fluffy' euro standards....After all a rail carriage in Europe is a rail car in North America …..right ? [ ….only if you are tourist ! ]
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What has happened: Today ( 2021), only two Renaissance cars sets ( approximately 30 carriages ) available for the Ocean service.....the other 109 carriages have been scrapped and /or provide parts.
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[ Also happened: in 2021 the same Federal Government people are spending $989 million on 32 new semi permanently coupled train sets. Each set to include a Charger type locomotive powered by a 4000 hp Cummins engine. All designed and built by: Siemens AG – a German conglomerate. The locomotives are a Charger type, a version of the Euro Vectron ( Amtrak has ordered Siemens ALD-42 to replace the GE P42's) . The passenger cars are a derivative of the Viaggio Comfort cars created for Austria’s “RailJet” high performance rail service and a British (!) firm is handling the VIA design! Seimens AG is well known internationally for price fixing and bribery of government officials. Seimens AG has plants around the world and there is a North American manufacturing plant – in the USA; but note that Seimens AG has partnered with Communist China's Zhuzhou Electric for AC locomotive traction components.... ]
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What are the chances the Germans, Brits, and Chinese designers and engineers can get the new VIA product right for Canada ?
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Long live the GMD London Ontario built ( 1987 – 1988) F40PH-2D's ; now F40PH-3's ! ( rebuilt 2009 – 2012 by CAD Montreal) !
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Long live the Bombardier Thunder Bay / Montreal built ( 1981 – 1984 ) L R C 's !
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Long live the 1954 era Budd built (mainly ex CPR, 149 remaining of 173) stainless-steel rolling stock !
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ok ok the Budd's were built in Philadelphia! …but re-rebuilt with HEP 1990 to 1993 by AMF in Montreal, (yahoo) CANADA !
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sdfourty

Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	VIA Rail
Date:	04/18/2012
Location:	Newtonville
Province:	Ontario

2 Comments | 7 Favourites

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Yep, it was cold and dark ( image just a wee bit brightened ) ....and for Leaside: this is snowy.
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Extra 5738 west with SD40 #5508 and a TH&B switcher in tow (note white flags, corresponding illuminated marker lights).
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The absolute tri signal at right governs eastbound traffic from the Don Branch of the Belleville Subdivision
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At that time, for a long time, Leaside had only a single crossover from south track to north track, to allow eastbound Don Branch traffic ( used by the Havelock Budds) to access the north track, hence only the double absolute signal required for eastbound north track traffic.
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At CP Rail Belleville Sub mile 206.4, December 22, 1979, Kodachrome by S.Danko
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<a href="http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id= 45162"> westbound looking west </a>
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Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	Canadian Pacific
Date:	12/22/1979
Location:	Leaside
Province:	Ontario

3 Comments | 11 Favourites

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The first week of VIA CP Rail, and the lash up for the daily The Canadian is unique and different.
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Rather than the usual single 4000 series CP Rail F unit, VIA expanded the daily The Canadian with a full summer season like consist, including an ex CN steam generator and an ex CN 52 seat deluxe Dayniter coach, requiring more ex CP Rail power to match:
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The lash up: 1414 – 4067 - 8479; GMD 1954 built FP9A - GMD 1952 built FP7A - MLW 1955 built RS-10
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Near the CP Rail John Street fueling rack, with the CPR Locomotive and Car Stores building in the background, November 4, 1978 Kodachrome by S.Danko
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Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	VIA Rail
Date:	11/04/1978
Location:	Toronto
Province:	Ontario

Comments | 10 Favourites

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It's the Northland !
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Southbound at 07:45, after 545 miles, with only 6 miles to Toronto Union Depot, the towers of Thorncliffe Park provide a backdrop for Via CN pool train #98
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powered by ONR's classic FP7-A #1521 and #1501, coupled in the normal Northland lashup: 'elephant style'.
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ONR coach #832 built 1941 by Pullman as N&W #1752 , was acquired 1971 ( just prior to Amtrak)
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at CN Bala sub mile 6, April 23 1977 Kodachrome by S.Danko.
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<a href="http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id= 7278"> #98 classic power </a>
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interesting
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the sleeper – second car - is one of two CN stainless steel sleepers (CN had 4 SS sleepers in the roster): either 1190 Green Gables or 1191 Greenock, acquired from BAR in 1965: 80 North Twin Lake / 81 South Twin Lake. The identifying feature is the double lavatory windows. Green Gables / Greenock had 6 roomettes – 6 section – 4 double bedroom.

Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	Ontario Northland
Date:	04/23/1977
Location:	Toronto
Province:	Ontario

Comments | 15 Favourites

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ONR coach #806 appeared to be old, even in 1978.
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Built by NSC in 1936, #806 was a mere 42 years old as of the date of this slide: 1978
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Some perspective: Those in service VIA LRC coaches #3300 to 3349, were built in 1981 and are, today, over forty years old !
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ONR coach #832 built 1941 by Pullman as N&W #1752 , was acquired 1971 ( just prior to Amtrak)
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The youngster here is MLW 1959 built S-13 #8518
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At Bathurst Street, August 5, 1978 Kodachrome by S.Danko
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What's interesting:
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Several ONR coaches ( such as #806) rode out the final years, as recent as 2001, as the Polar Bear Express smoker's cars and /or bistro party cars.
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That mile 0.12 tri-light signal ( Automated Block Signal) – unusual at that time – controlled the CN High Line, the double tracked Union Station by-pass – from Oakville Sub mile 108 Cabin E to mile 333.3 Kingston Sub ( Scott Street ) – routed south of the Spadina Coach yard and roundhouse and south of the CPR John Street roundhouse.
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<a href="http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id= 2165"> Bathurst: New Year's Day 1978 </a>
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Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	Ontario Northland
Date:	08/05/1978
Location:	Toronto
Province:	Ontario

Comments | 7 Favourites

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On a steamy June afternoon, CP Rail #916, powered by SD40-2 #5973 and M636 #4709, head end is clear of Spicer
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At mile 131 Belleville Subdivision, June 11, 1983 Kodachrome by S.Danko
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other end:
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<a href="http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id= 45998"> end – of – train device </a>
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Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	Canadian Pacific
Date:	06/11/1983
Location:	Spicer
Province:	Ontario

1 Comments | 13 Favourites

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A rare sight, even in 1978. And even stranger – on ' foreign ' rails,
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the re-routed VIA Rail train #2 powered by ex CP Rail FP7A - F9B - FP9A units # 1432 – 4477 – 1412 .
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Effective October 29, 1978 Via ceased service on the CP Rail Mactier Subdivision and re-routed the transcon service onto the CN Bala – south of South Parry and south of Washago onto the CN Newmarket Subdivision.
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At Allandale ( CN Barrie ), November 18, 1978 Kodachrome by S.Danko
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More Allandale
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<a href="http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id= 8558"> strange sight </a>
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Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	VIA Rail
Date:	11/18/1978
Location:	Barrie
Province:	Ontario

1 Comments | 18 Favourites

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Facing south, the west side of the GTR 1905 built Allandale station.
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The fourth station to stand on this site, the first built circa 1953 by the broad gauge Ontario, Simcoe & Huron Railroad ( reorganized 1858 to become the Northern Railway of Canada ( converted to standard gauge 1881) and absorbed into the GTR 1888 )
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At Allandale, November 18, 1978 Kodachrome by S.Danko
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More Allandale ( aka Barrie ):
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<a href="http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id= 8528"> east side sight </a>
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Interesting:
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From the left (clarifications welcomed ): Kempenfeldt Bay is visible through the covered breezeway and the vehicles: a VW ( Passat ?) wagon ; 197x Buick Le Sabre; 196x Plymouth Fury; 1978 Chevrolet Caprice; seventies Datsun ( today it's Nissan) wagon; 197x Dodge Monaco or Plymouth taxi; seventies Ford pickup with cap;
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and in the far distance in the Allandale yard, CN power beside the GTR 1903 built Master Mechanic and Stores Department building ( the turntable was located next to the Mechanic's building)
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To the right of the photographer is the connecting track to the CN Meaford Subdivision ( railway crossing at grade mile 7.5 with CP Rail Mactier Sub)
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More:
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The CN Office Signals for CN Barrie is ' G O '
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sdfourty

Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	Canadian National
Date:	11/18/1978
Location:	Barrie
Province:	Ontario

3 Comments | 11 Favourites

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It is surprising this did not happen sooner.
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CN Washago is now a mobile trailer, parked smack in front of the 1922 built ( now former station) building.
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At Washago, July 11, 2021 digital by S.Danko
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Noteworthy: At right is the VIA kiosk, built some time ago, after the Northlander ceased September 2012 ?
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Officially, for VIA patrons, Washago parking availability is nil.
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Interestingly, just as Ontario is serious about restoring ONR passenger service, CN installs the trailer.

Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	Canadian National
Date:	07/11/2021
Location:	Washago
Province:	Ontario

1 Comments | 7 Favourites

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….after moving the damaged box car off the right of way, the CN track crew of 33 takes a breather to watch an east bound VIA ... 6764 ….
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... so it appears....
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At CN Beachville, February 18, 1984 Kodachrome by S.Danko
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Noteworthy:
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February 14, 1984: A 25 car CN train derailed four miles west of Woodstock ( Beachville) causing $1 million damage. Half mile track torn up, propane tankers included in consist. Heavy rains blamed for weakening the track bed. Reportedly every spring new remnants of the derailment can be seen along the Beachville Thames River Trail – pushed up by the winter frost.
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Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	Canadian National
Date:	02/18/1984
Location:	Beachville
Province:	Ontario

3 Comments | 16 Favourites

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CN Whitby: a westbound has fully occupied the Victoria Street East crossing
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In the extreme left background is the south approach of the now removed Hopkins Street overpass.
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The Lasco Steel mill and associated buildings dominate the skyline
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This area is fully transformed today.....
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CN extra 9640 West – white marker lights illuminated – assisted by 9595 ( both GP40-2L(W)), is picking up speed on approach to Pickering Junction 6.5 miles to the west,
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From the old Brock Street overpass, October 9, 1984 Kodachrome by S.Danko
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Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	Canadian National
Date:	10/09/1984
Location:	Whitby
Province:	Ontario

2 Comments | 15 Favourites

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Foreman to Engineman #6764 East: ' ... oh, just push it out of the way … those FPA-4's are tough ...'
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... so it appears....
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At CN Beachville, February 18, 1984 Kodachrome by S.Danko
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Noteworthy:
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February 14, 1984: A 25 car CN train derailed four miles west of Woodstock ( Beachville) causing $1 million damage. Half mile track torn up, propane tankers included in consist. Heavy rains blamed for weakening the track bed. Reportedly every spring new remnants of the derailment can be seen along the Beachville Thames River Trail – pushed up by the winter frost.
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Name:	sdfourty
Railway:	Canadian National
Date:	02/18/1984
Location:	Beachville
Province:	Ontario

1 Comments | 23 Favourites

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