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Caption: Admittedly not much of a shot but I decided to post this to show the old "Railway Junction" signs that used to dot the rail landscape many years ago. I'm shooting a 'Falls-bound' CN 5524, 5500 and ?? as it crosses Bridge 6 over the Welland Canal, and the sign on the right brings attention to westbound trains of the junction lying ahead, which is the line running to Port Weller as well as the small yard by the old Merritton Station. I don't know when these signs became redundant on the railroad, as I had forgotten they even existed until looking over some old photos.
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I didn’t know shrubs got in your way back in the 70s!
I’m used to aggressively stomping on those things, but I guess it’s not something that comes to mind in that time frame. The weeds are a bit worse now here, but surprisingly not much different than the 70s.
Seems this photo has everything. The bridge, tower, junction sign, and even a conductor who isn’t camera shy.
Looks like 5524 got a donor M3H horn from one of the SW’s or early Geeps. I highly doubt it was delivered with that, being built in 73.
Funny you would mention that. I was looking at the photo and trying to recall why I did not deal with that &*(^%#!! sumac. I suppose I was probably in a hurry that day. Often had trouble remembering how to drive to that location back then.
The foliage is WAY worse now, Daniel. Check photos from Dundas and Bayview. RoWs were like well kept lawns in many areas in the 1970s.
You were able to drive there? The last time I went, I had to jog the whole way, the entire time wondering how many ticks were going to latch onto the legs. I can’t imagine the places you were able to drive back in the 70s. I frequently abuse my car off roading, which is often required since so much is blocked off now.
I was talking about the weeds specifically at this location. I’m used to looking at the lawn photos of the 70s, so this surprised me. The weeds are a bit more dense at this spot now, but not drastically different than before, being that they’re already fairly out of control in this shot.
I thought you were, but that sumac bugs me. This little spot as you know is almost a ‘no man’s land’ so nobody cared about keeping it neat. It was back then a dumping ground for old concrete, metal parts and various junk, as well as a back way in to the GM Plant. A yellow GM switcher used to be parked near the gate just off to my right. Once a busy place.
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Enough weeds to make the Grimsby Sub look ‘branchline’.
That Classic CN paint! I’m guessing that’s the split derail for the bridge right where you’re standing?
Exactly right, young Sleuth!!
I don’t think thats a ‘split derail’ but rather what is termed ‘jordan rail’. (I don’t know where that name comes from, as a better description would simply be ‘guard rail’)
Jordans were installed, most commonly, at overpasses, so that any derailed equipment would not make it’s way below, but rather stay upright ( except in extreme wrecks).
So in this case, the jordan rails are there well in advance of the seaway bridge to present a disaster for both trains and ships.