Railpictures.ca - James Knott Photo: After making its way slowly down the Humberstone Spur on a rainy April afternoon, 562 is inside Vale’s property to lift one empty tank of sulphur dioxide (pictured at right). Outbound cars are spotted on the track pictured in the foregound by Vale’s critter, and CN leaves inbound loads where you see the chlorine tank at left. On this afternoon, the crew of 562 had a tough time making the joint, given the track’s radius. I heard them say that Vale usually leaves them a little further up. | Railpictures.ca – Canadian Railway Photography

After making its way slowly down the Humberstone Spur on a rainy April afternoon, 562 is inside Vale's property to lift one empty tank of sulphur dioxide (pictured at right). Outbound cars are spotted on the track pictured in the foregound by Vale's critter, and CN leaves inbound loads where you see the chlorine tank at left. On this afternoon, the crew of 562 had a tough time making the joint, given the track's radius. I heard them say that Vale usually leaves them a little further up.

Caption: After making its way slowly down the Humberstone Spur on a rainy April afternoon, 562 is inside Vale's property to lift one empty tank of sulphur dioxide (pictured at right). Outbound cars are spotted on the track pictured in the foregound by Vale's critter, and CN leaves inbound loads where you see the chlorine tank at left. On this afternoon, the crew of 562 had a tough time making the joint, given the track's radius. I heard them say that Vale usually leaves them a little further up.

Photographer:	James Knott [534] (more) (contact)
Date:	04/26/2020 (search)
Railway:	Canadian National (search)
Reporting Marks:	CN 3212 (search)
Train Symbol:	562 (search)
Subdivision/SNS:	Not Provided
City/Town:	Port Colborne (search)
Province:	Ontario (search)
Share Link:	http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=41779

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Photo ID: 40570

Map courtesy of Open Street Map

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8 Comments

Larry Parks

June 16, 2020 at 4:03 pm

As soon as I opened this post I’m thinking “now there is a fun joint”. Your caption confirms that. LOL.
craigandru

June 16, 2020 at 11:33 pm

Amazing stuff, Jamie!
BradKetchen

June 17, 2020 at 6:51 am

Always amazed they use 6 axels for switching power. 1200′s back in the day….
ngineered4u

June 17, 2020 at 2:46 pm

I am surprised at the 6 axle power as well. Many places units of this size and class are restricted to non main track. Always great to see units in unusual places.
Most of CN’s motive power have aligned drawbars, which means unlike auto racks and other freight cars the couplers can’t move very far. If a unit has non aligned couplers only one unit can be in the consist. It was non aligned couplers on the GO F59PH’s that caused a derailment at Liverpool years back> There were 3 units in the consist, coming downhill with train in dynamic braking.
Glenn

June 17, 2020 at 3:10 pm

Nice catch James and informative positioning! The inbound car in this scenario has to be spotted deep in the yard to allow 562 retrieve the outbound car(s), clear the switch and exit north on the lead. During a visit to the Port in Oct 2017, CN had spotted the inbound car on the lead well north of the switch. This arrangement allowed the colourful Vale critter to shove an empty onto the outbound track (same spot), reverse through the switch and hook onto the inbound car, etc. Interesting, simple trackage … handles different scenarios with coordination of course.
jknott86

June 18, 2020 at 12:37 am

Thanks all for the comments.

And neat stuff Glenn, thanks for sharing that operational note.
BradKetchen

June 18, 2020 at 7:48 am

Interesting point @ngineered4u and the information. I was thinking the aforementioned radius but also the weight restrictions. Guess it depends on the code of operating rules. Hope no one was hurt in the GO derailment.
Klaucker

November 10, 2020 at 11:54 am

I am being told that VALE has eliminated Chlorine in their hydro-metallurgy process which spells the end for the black tank cars. Not sure on the Sulfuric (white tanks) so movements over Humberstone may be very rare

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