Railpictures.ca - Unknown, J.Pittman collection Photo: CN 8304 is a class P-5-a 0-8-0 switcher, moving coaches near Spadina Road in downtown Toronto. Built by ALCo in December 1923, last in a batch of 5 for the GTW, it was transferred to CN in 1942. It survived through the end of steam on CN, scrapped in 1961. Its first car appears to be lettered “EXPRESS”, beyond it are clerestory roof coaches. At bottom right is a GM&O hopper car, could be a coal load for the nearby Spadina coaling tower. The switcher’s exhaust and vapour suggest that it is reversing toward Toronto Union Station. | Railpictures.ca – Canadian Railway Photography

CN 8304 is a class P-5-a 0-8-0 switcher, moving coaches near Spadina Road in downtown Toronto.
Built by ALCo in December 1923, last in a batch of 5 for the GTW, it was transferred to CN in 1942.
It survived through the end of steam on CN, scrapped in 1961.
Its first car appears to be lettered "EXPRESS", beyond it are clerestory roof coaches.
At bottom right is a GM&O hopper car, could be a coal load for the nearby Spadina coaling tower.
The switcher's exhaust and vapour suggest that it is reversing toward Toronto Union Station.

Caption: CN 8304 is a class P-5-a 0-8-0 switcher, moving coaches near Spadina Road in downtown Toronto.
Built by ALCo in December 1923, last in a batch of 5 for the GTW, it was transferred to CN in 1942.
It survived through the end of steam on CN, scrapped in 1961.

Its first car appears to be lettered "EXPRESS", beyond it are clerestory roof coaches.
At bottom right is a GM&O hopper car, could be a coal load for the nearby Spadina coaling tower.

The switcher's exhaust and vapour suggest that it is reversing toward Toronto Union Station.

Photographer:	Unknown, J.Pittman collection [288] (more) (contact)
Date:	circa 1950 (search)
Railway:	Canadian National (search)
Reporting Marks:	CN 8304 (search)
Train Symbol:	Not Provided
Subdivision/SNS:	Spadina Yard (search)
City/Town:	Toronto (search)
Province:	Ontario (search)
Share Link:	http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=41875

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Photo ID: 40666

Map courtesy of Open Street Map

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One Comment

jp4pix

June 23, 2020 at 11:41 am

GTW was able to send their P-5-a switchers to CN because of GTW’s 1941-42 purchases of EMD NW2 and Alco S-2 diesel-electric switchers (first EMD locos on the CN system).
I have an October 1958 picture at Spadina showing at least 6 steam switchers lined up with their stacks and headlights covered – by that date, CN switching was mainly handled by diesels, while big steam remained in service.
Shadow length and angle, wet areas, and haze suggest to me that this picture could have been taken on a warm March/April afternoon after rain (or snow-melt).

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jp4pix

June 23, 2020 at 11:41 am

GTW was able to send their P-5-a switchers to CN because of GTW’s 1941-42 purchases of EMD NW2 and Alco S-2 diesel-electric switchers (first EMD locos on the CN system).
I have an October 1958 picture at Spadina showing at least 6 steam switchers lined up with their stacks and headlights covered – by that date, CN switching was mainly handled by diesels, while big steam remained in service.
Shadow length and angle, wet areas, and haze suggest to me that this picture could have been taken on a warm March/April afternoon after rain (or snow-melt).