Caption: 5 times in my brief CN career I waited at this spot. 4 times it was for the train of my youth, 730; the Ore Train, and once for 844; the Paris Slag Turn. As a kid, I had begged by parents to wait round Bracebridge for hours in hope of seeing the 5 units that traditionally led 730 on its run from Temagami to Hamilton. It was a joy to watch hoggers handling the then enormous 13000 tons on unit ore up and down the Halton, twice the the hideous "Clear to Stop" on the descent to Burlington West. 844 had 2 M636's leading and a long hood forward GP9 for the return. So there was a great deal of sentiment standing at this spot, for the second last time before its fenced off, to watch 2 60 year GP9 rebuilds head west for Bit and Malport; if that even still exists. It amazing how many lost memories come back when you stand around on the off chance you'll see a train.
|
malport apparently still does exist. nice one
Malport was re-opened for intermodal overflow – BIT is at capacity.
Malport no longer exists and has not existed as an actual rail yard for some time now. Malport was built for way freights and local yard jobs to serve at what was the time very busy industries on the Halton and Weston subs. They ran the Milton turn (547) out of there and the original Toronto to Montreal Eco Rail( roadrailer).
As industries shut down or moved to trucks the yard was closed to freight traffic and operations moved to Mac Yrd.
@Snake, it was not re-opened for BIT overflow, its actually only used as a repair facility strictly for intermodal equipment, like wheel change out and brake repairs. In fact they use the very same tracks where the Roadrailers used to depart and terminate.
Malport exists as one thing now. A station name (only on the south track) of the Halton Sub
Actually there’s 2 tracks at Malport back in service for BIT overflow. A new switch was cut in at the west end by TorBram Rd.
TTX is no longer on site doing car repairs.
I miss all the good stuff. They were still doing repairs before I retired in June. Thx for the update. LOL I may need to re apply for a job
Nice catch! Know this location really well. Nice too see a set of relatively good looking GP9s still run the mainline as they did 60 years ago!