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About jp4pix

About 50 years ago I got into railway photography in Trois-Rivieres QC. After a couple of years there, moved back to Vaughan ON, then western Mississauga. Was busy with other stuff during the 80's, and the latter 00's, so about 35 years active. I still like yard pictures, but stay out nowadays. My pre-digital cameras were YashicaMat TLR (~imitation Rolleiflex, 120 film), Pentax 6x7 (120 film SLR, heavy & expensive), Pentax K1000, Nikon FE, Nikon F90x. I stuck with 120 black & white film until about 1980, then 35mm colour negative film (usually) until around 2010, before going all-digital. I also have quite a collection of railway negatives from the period 1990-1995 acquired from photographer John E. Parnell of London Ontario; his coverage of London and beyond is very impressive. I also collect train slides - some taken at Bayview Jct and vicinity that don't name the photographer have been identified from data style and handwriting as the work of Bill McArthur. Others have labelling that matches slides taken by Reg Button. Thanks for looking at my pictures, and your comments and favorites. Encourages me to spend the significant time and effort required to scan, photo-edit, research, caption and submit older images.

jp4pix's Railpictures.ca photo upload statistics

Number of images: 288
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jp4pix's 288 photos on Railpictures.ca:

AMTK 90250 is an NPCU, Non-Powered Control Unit at the end of Amtrak Cascades train 517, the 6:35 AM departure from Vancouver's Pacific Central Station en route to Seattle and Portland. In the lead is F59PHi AMTK 466, passenger accommodation is in Talgo Series 6 coach set "Mt. Olympus". AMTK 90250 lead this equipment on the previous northbound Cascades train 518 into Vancouver (scheduled arrival 11 PM). <br><br>
AMTK 90250 is decorated in this unique Seattle Seahawks NFL team scheme. With no other NFL teams in the US northwest, the Seahawks are considered the NFL home team throughout Washington state and by many fans in surrounding states and provinces. Notable is web address "StayBackFromTheTracks.com" behind the roll-up door, and the rooftop motto "WE ARE 12" ahead of the horns. "We are 12" can mean that the vocal support of the fans inspires the 11 team members on the field, equivalent to an extra player. <br><br>
Amtrak NPCU's were made from retired F40PH locomotives, with the power components and auxiliaries removed providing space for a baggage compartment, a roll-up door for access, and with body openings sealed up. Cab controls were retained, and function provided there is MU cabling the length of the train. <br> There is a sufficient number of NPCU in the Cascades paint scheme, and others in the usual Amtrak paint. <br> Many railfans prefer the name "Cabbage" for these ex-locomotives, a contraction of Cab-Baggage.

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	Amtrak
Date:	06/23/2018
Location:	Vancouver
Province:	British Columbia

1 Comments | 9 Favourites

A West Coast Express F59PHi is leading 8 Bombardier bilevel coaches on WCE's second weekday afternoon service, the 4:20 PM departure from Vancouver Waterfront station making all station stops to Mission City. <br> When the train returns to Vancouver next weekday morning, Bombardier BiLevel cab car WCE 103 will lead. In this picture it is seen at the back of the 8-car train departing WCE Port Coquitlam station around 4:58 PM, a few minutes later than scheduled.

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	West Coast Express
Date:	06/27/2018
Location:	Port Coquitlam
Province:	British Columbia

Comments | 7 Favourites

Halted at the end of a reverse move from Rocky Mountaineer Railtour's Vancouver station to wye their train, ex-CN GP40-2W RMRX 8014 leads the June 25th departure with rebuilt GP40-2 RMRX 8019 (origin Penn Central). This long train includes HEP coaches at both ends, and RMR's silver and gold class coach accommodations for both a CN and a CP route tour. Similarly to VIA, CN, and CP, RMR follows CN/CP directional running in the Fraser Canyon as far as Kamloops. At Kamloops RMR splits their eastbound trains into CN and CP sections. Westbound RMR trains arriving from CN and CP routes are merged at Kamloops for the trip to Vancouver. <br><br>
Switches at Burrard Inlet Junction (a.k.a. the Diamond) have been set so that the train can proceed forward on the CN/BNSF New Westminster subdivision. <br><br>
The Rocky Mountaineer Railtours station is on the north side of CN's downtown rail yard. It was built within the shell of a former locomotive maintenance building that once serviced CN Passenger trains. Before RMR's current station site was renovated for their needs, their trains used Pacific Central station.

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	Rocky Mountaineer …
Date:	06/25/2018
Location:	Vancouver
Province:	British Columbia

Comments | 5 Favourites

West Coast Express's highest number F59PHi WCE 905 is leading their 3rd weekday afternoon departure, the 5:40 PM service from Vancouver Waterfront station making all station stops to Mission City. In this picture it is seen arriving at WCE Port Coquitlam station at 5:24 PM, right on schedule.

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	West Coast Express
Date:	06/27/2018
Location:	Port Coquitlam
Province:	British Columbia

1 Comments | 3 Favourites

WP&Y 91 with WPY 97 pulled the midday train north from Skagway AK to Fraser BC - one of the world's most scenic train rides. Now WP&Y 97 is in the lead after coupling onto the other end of the train for the return to Skagway. The CBSA officers who verified the admissibility of inbound passengers for entry to Canada are having a brief chat with the WP&Y conductor, before walking back to the Yukon Highway border post. <br><br>All de-training passengers (but one) are boarding their buses to continue their journeys. I'll be there shortly! <br> Once the inbound passengers have gone, busloads of Skagway-bound passengers will board.

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	White Pass and Yuk…
Date:	07/03/2018
Location:	Fraser
Province:	British Columbia

1 Comments | 8 Favourites

West Coast Express trains are in their usual daytime layover places, east of the red brick ex-CP Waterfront Station (also a terminus for Skytrains and Seabus from North Van). On the left (south) side is the back of Vancouver's Gastown tourist area (steam clock, etc). The closer WCE locomotives are 2 of the 5 original F59PHi - WCE 901 and WCE 903. Closer to the station is WCE 906, the one Motive Power Industries MP36PH-3C that WCE operates - recognizable by its single number board and dark blue paint (instead of purple). As of 2018 WCE has 6 locomotives available to push 5 inbound and pull 5 outbound rush hour trains from/to Mission BC, leaving one free to receive maintenance. <br><br>
CP 5019 and CP 5005 are pumping up the air on a train of tank cars that will be transferred eastward (at least to start); this yard has been CP's western end of track in downtown Vancouver for some years. Most of the railcars found in this yard are intermodal well cars staging here en route between the nearby Vancouver Container port and Port Coquitlam Yard. <br><br>
For the most part, this rail corridor between Vancouver downtown and several miles to the east is secured by 8 foot high chain link fence with 3 strands of barbed wire on top. This image was taken from the public side of the fence.

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	West Coast Express
Date:	06/23/2018
Location:	Vancouver
Province:	British Columbia

2 Comments | 11 Favourites

Amtrak Cascades train 519 is seen departing from track leading to Vancouver's Pacific Central Station, with Talgo Pendular Series 8 coachset "Mt Bachelor" and its integrated Control Cab/HEP leading - temporarily. Scheduled to depart at 5:45 PM, it was passing here at 6:30 PM within a mile of the platform. <br><br>
Most fans consider that the integrated Talgo Control Cab/HEP is NOT one of the better-looking objects intended to lead a train. I've heard it compared to the face of Donald Duck, or a snail without its shell. Talgo coach sections are designed low-slung for cornering performance. A higher cab floor level was required by the 2 axle lead truck, plus having the cab higher than the roof-line of the coaches improves visibility. (Only place I've seen more than 1 axle in a Talgo coachset). The unit number is hard to read, low-contrast black digits near the back of the brown swoosh. There are no illuminated number boards, which is rare. <br><br>
On this occasion the delayed departure was because of insurmountable technical difficulties with driving the train from the Control Cab. The solution was to wye the train using the CN / Rocky Mountaineer downtown yard. Siemens SC-44 "Charger" locomotive AMTK 1403 will be in the lead when they enter the BNSF/CN New Westminster sub at CN Junction after freight movements had cleared. The control cab has both headlights and red tail lights illuminated, which seems abnormal.

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	Amtrak
Date:	06/22/2018
Location:	Vancouver
Province:	British Columbia

1 Comments | 5 Favourites

Siemens SC-44 "Charger" AMTK 1403 is pushing Amtrak Cascades train 519 into the CN / Rocky Mountaineer Vancouver downtown yard as part of a wye movement, an unusual departure from Pacific Central Station for this train which normally operates push-pull. At the other end of its Talgo Pendular Series 8 coachset "Mt Bachelor" is the odd-looking integrated Control Cab/HEP AMTK 7911. Scheduled to depart at 5:45 PM, the train was seen here around 6:30 PM about a mile from the platform, passing under bridgework that carries the Millenium Line Skytrain. <br><br>
On this occasion the delayed departure was because of insurmountable technical difficulties with driving the train from the Control Cab. Train 519 would enter the BNSF/CN New Westminster sub at CN Junction with AMTK 1403 in the lead, after a conflicting freight movement had cleared.

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	Amtrak
Date:	06/22/2018
Location:	Vancouver
Province:	British Columbia

Comments | 6 Favourites

IC 1015 pulls 72 empty flatcars with windmill blade carriers upgrade east on the Oakville Sub. The westbound signals for CN Snake (Road) are in the distance. <br>
The industrial building on the left seems to have been built here for railway access; it still has a rail-side platform and loading doors, but its siding track was removed in the previous century.

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	Illinois Central
Date:	07/19/2018
Location:	Burlington
Province:	Ontario

Comments | 12 Favourites

BNSF orange and green gets called Pumpkin - BNSF orange and black is more like Tiger ! <br> BNSF 4167 (C44-9w), BNSF 8338 (ES44C4), BNSF 4101 (C44-9w) and their US-bound train were conveniently paused just before the Braid Street grade crossing. I was pleased when this coincidentally suitable ad appeared on the electronic billboard.
<br> Apparently BNSF were waiting for the northbound Amtrak Cascades train to clear the single track New Westminster bridge over the Fraser River - if they had just stayed put for a minute or two longer, I could have snapped Amtrak at Braid St - but this train moved forward onto the crossing and blocked my view !<br>
Though it's not that obvious, ES44C4 BNSF 8338 has an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement (2 AC traction motors per truck, centre axle unpowered), unlike the C44-9w's which are typical C-C (3 DC traction motors per truck). Spotting feature is a pair of air cylinders and actuator crank that reduce weight on the centre axle when more tractive adhesion is required. <br>
This location is quite a ways northeast of downtown New Westminster, approaching the boundary with Coquitlam.

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	BNSF
Date:	06/24/2018
Location:	New Westminster
Province:	British Columbia

Comments | 7 Favourites

CP 5001, one of 2 GP30's sold in Canada, is just starting the afternoon freight moving at Trois-Rivieres, returning to Montreal with quite a number of newsprint boxcars loaded at the local paper mills and other freight. The trailing unit on this occasion is an FA-2.<br>
In 1970 I saw predominantly 4-axle MLW units on the afternoon freight returning to Montreal from Trois-Rivieres. Three units was typical, otherwise 2 or 4; they would include mixtures of RS11, RS10, RS3, FA, FB, and C424. Other than the occasional freight FP7A, the first GM unit I encountered was the GP35 - I heard its turbo-supercharger whine as I bicycled along the road beside the roundhouse, and wondered what I was about to see.
This GP30 was obviously related but styled differently from the GP35, while its CP class id plate DRF-22a showed lower horsepower than GP35's DRF-25a (or b,c,d).<br>
At the time I valued direct side views of locomotives far above any other angle. The only place that worked well for that in T-R was the station side of the tracks. Unfortunately that put me on the east side, not so good when the sun is going down to the west - most of my best afternoon shots from this era were taken when overcast.<br>
This image of CP 5001, taken toward the setting sun, was very difficult to make a satisfactory black and white print from - only because of its rarity did I save the negative. Fortunately photoshop is easier than darkroom burning, dodging and developing with chemicals. <br>
48 years separate my first GP30 and latest (BNSF GP39M) images; I hope to catch some more.

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	Canadian Pacific
Date:	1970
Location:	Trois-Rivieres
Province:	Quebec

Comments | 14 Favourites

There is something about the styling of the GP30. Also they were quite rare in Canada, with just two sold to CP, before EMD and GMDD changed over to the GP35 bevel cab and body styling that we are more used to. <br>
It is great to see this body style continuing to do useful work as a locomotive, not merely a slug (as per CSX). BNSF had a bunch of GP30's remanufactured to GP39 standards, which should mean a turbo 12-645 engine and AR10 generator, giving them a new lease on life as GP39M, with horsepower similar to the original 2250. <br>
Behind 2826 is BNSF 3149 a "GP25". Sources indicate that a GP25 is a GP50 derated to 2500 HP to improve reliability, etc.

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	BNSF
Date:	06/24/2018
Location:	New Westminster
Province:	British Columbia

Comments | 8 Favourites

The Coast Meridian Overpass suspension bridge crossing CP's main Vancouver-area yard in Port Coquitlam BC is a good public place to view a large active rail yard and facilities. Some drawbacks for photographers are end-to-end galvanized steel mesh with 46mm square openings, a sidewalk only on the west side, and vibration caused by road traffic. My photos were obtained with a compact camera whose lens fitted through the mesh, though side and down angles were limited.<br><br>
This north-west facing view shows the Diesel Shop buildings, with a larger than usual percentage of EMD-family locomotives in the area. The closest row has CP 5047 (SD30C-eco) and CP 9715 (AC4400). The second row has GP38-2 variants CP 4415 (ex-Soo, no dynamic brakes), CP 3090, and CP 3110. Further to the right are CP 8800 (ES44ac) and CP 9598 (AC4400).

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	Canadian Pacific
Date:	06/24/2018
Location:	Port Coquitlam
Province:	British Columbia

Comments | 8 Favourites

VITX 2020 is an NRE 1GS7B genset locomotive, with one Cummins QSK19C low emissions diesel rated at 700 HP. This is NRE's smallest and lowest-power switcher. This one is equipped with AAR type A switcher trucks. <br>
Viterra is a major grain elevator operator at the Port of Vancouver. It has its own locomotives and crews to move cuts of grain hoppers as required, including spotting them for unloading at their elevators.

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	Industrial
Date:	06/22/2018
Location:	Vancouver
Province:	British Columbia

Comments | 7 Favourites

One train approaching, one at rest, one receding.<br>
The approaching CN freight lead by CN 3059 and CN 3060 is heading north-east past BNSF's New Westminster freight station on one of the 2 hot tracks, while BNSF GP39m 2826 (EMD turbo 12-645 and AR10 generator in GP30 body) rests in a siding ahead of BNSF 3149 (GP25), BNSF 2112 (GP38 in BN green), and their train. A Millenium Line Skytrain is heading away toward Sapperton station.<br><br>
The CN train probably crossed the Fraser River on the CN/BNSF New Westminster swing bridge from Port Mann-Surrey minutes earlier. It will continue on the New Westminster sub, following the track north-west at the wye just east of my vantage point at Braid Street grade crossing. Based on its railcars, my guess is that the CN train will branch off for North Vancouver through the Thornton Tunnel and over the Second Narrows rail bridge. (Vancouver downtown yards and south Burrard Inlet port mostly handle intermodal containers and grain.)

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	Burlington Norther…
Date:	06/24/2018
Location:	New Westminster
Province:	British Columbia

Comments | 3 Favourites

I was still down in Skagway when the 5 days a week WP&YR passenger train to Carcross was laying over from 12:30 to 1PM.<br>
However I found this Fairmont A6-F4-1 track gang car with trailer, asleep a few tenths beyond Carcross station on the otherwise out-of-service track leading to Whitehorse. Purchased new by WP&YR in 1976, this Ford powered gas-mechanical speeder apparently continues to be used as needed. <br>
Fairmont closed down their business by 1979; I expect this is one of the last built for 3 foot gauge track. Can't be many railways with operational Fairmont speeders nowadays. Hi-rail pickup trucks are more versatile - they are a good fit for standard gauge track, but not narrow gauges.

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	White Pass and Yuk…
Date:	07/03/2018
Location:	Carcross
Province:	Yukon

3 Comments | 8 Favourites

The Coast Meridian Overpass suspension bridge crossing CP's main Vancouver-area yard in Port Coquitam BC is a good public place to view a large active rail yard and facilities. Some drawbacks are end-to-end galvanized steel mesh with 46mm square openings, sidewalk only on the west side, and vibration caused by road traffic. My photos were obtained with a compact camera whose lens fitted through the mesh, though side and down angles were limited. <br><br>
In this west-facing view the tail end of AC4400 CP 8712 and the front of CP8563 can seen at the sand/fuel pad, along with other units. Coastal mountains are prominent to the north west, with plenty of snow at higher elevations this year.

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	Canadian Pacific
Date:	06/24/2018
Location:	Port Coquitlam
Province:	British Columbia

3 Comments | 6 Favourites

Amtrak Cascades train 517, the 6:35am departure from Vancouver BC's Pacific Central station is approaching the CN/BNSF New Westminster Sub at CN Junction mp 155.3. Its locomotives and Talgo coach-set closely match another Cascades train that fatally derailed at a curve near DuPont in Washington state on 18 December 2017.<br><br>
In the lead is Siemens SC-44 "Charger" diesel electric locomotive AMTK 1400 with Washington State DOT (WSDOT) and Oregon DOT lettering, and the Mt. Hood Talgo trainset in the Cascades paint scheme. A GE P42DC "Genesis" AMTK 85 in ordinary Amtrak scheme is at the rear (it lead into Vancouver). Note the short articulated sections with single axle wheel sets of the passively-tilting Talgo coach-set. The end transition sections with HEP and baggage compartment were styled to merge with F59PHi locomotives originally purchased for Cascades service.<br><br>
The bridgework of Vancouver's Millenium Line Skytrain can be seen, it parallels the New Westminster sub for several miles, starting here.<br>
A view of this train from the front: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=34014

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	Amtrak
Date:	06/22/2018
Location:	Vancouver
Province:	British Columbia

Comments | 3 Favourites

Amtrak Cascades train 517, the 6:35am departure from Vancouver BC's Pacific Central station is leaving station track. Its locomotives and Talgo coach-set closely match another Cascades train that derailed at a curve near DuPont in Washington state on 18 December 2017, part of that train falling onto I-5.<br><br>
In the lead today is Siemens SC-44 "Charger" diesel electric locomotive AMTK 1400 with Washington State DOT (WSDOT) and Oregon DOT lettering, and the Mt. Hood Talgo trainset in the Cascades paint scheme. A GE P42DC "Genesis" AMTK 85 in ordinary Amtrak scheme is at the rear (it lead into Vancouver). Note the short articulated sections and single axle wheelsets of the passively-tilting Talgo coach-set. The end transition sections with HEP and baggage compartment were styled to merge with F59PHi locomotives originally purchased for Cascades service.<br><br>
The accident train was lead by AMTK 1402 (scrapped), with the Mount Adams Talgo coach-set (scrapped), and trailing AMTK 181 (stayed on rails, back in service). The 18 Dec 2017 mishap occurred on the inaugural revenue run over the recently upgraded Point Defiance bypass. The final NTSB report is pending, but entering a 30 mph limit curve at 78 mph is always a bad idea. There were 3 fatalaties and numerous injuries, from minor to very serious, and at least $40 million in property damage. I was told that Talgo trainsets were removed from Cascades service after the accident, until cleared of blame.

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	Amtrak
Date:	06/22/2018
Location:	Vancouver
Province:	British Columbia

1 Comments | 7 Favourites

A CP Rail GP35 is leading a C424 and an FP7A (probably CP 4075) out of the Trois-Rivieres engine track. Next it will back down onto the train that the yard switchers have assembled, for the return journey to Montreal. The coaling tower, long out of use, is in the background. Looks like I am getting a wave from the brakeman on CP 5020. <br>
Largest volume of freight traffic here was newsprint paper from the paper mills along the St Maurice River, especially those in Trois-Rivieres and Cap-de-la-Madeleine. <br>
The coal tower, roundhouse, some of the tracks, and the adjacent east-side neighbourhood were cleared to make room for Quebec Autoroute 40. The passenger station remains but has been re-purposed. CP has left town; their Montreal to Quebec north shore route is now operated by the Quebec-Gatineau Railway. <br>
An image that looks like the tail end of this consist: <sp><sp> http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=21505

Name:	John Pittman
Railway:	Canadian Pacific
Date:	1970
Location:	Trois-Rivieres
Province:	Quebec

Comments | 8 Favourites

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