Caption: CNR U-3-a 6304 leads an eastbound freight out of Hamilton about to duck under the Emerald Street footbridge. In the background above the second boxcar, the former Cataract Power Company building can be seen on Victoria Avenue North. Founded in 1896, the building (built in sections from 1896 – 1907) originally housed a steam boiler, later becoming a hydro substation in 1898 from the Decew Falls Generating Station near St. Catharines. It would become part of the publicly owned Hamilton Hydro in 1930. The building has continued to house a number of businesses in recent years, including Hobo Hardware, and Krown Rust Control. As of August 2020, the building is on it’s way to becoming Evil Empire Studios, a film studio for various artistic works and production companies.
Originally built by ALCO for the Grand Trunk Western in 1927, 6304, and all twelve U-3-a Northerns (6300 – 6311) would be transferred to the CNR circa 1941-1942. It would be scrapped in May 1961.
More from the Emerald Street footbridge: May 1967 by Doug Page April 1997 by Arnold Mooney April 2019 by Jamie Knott
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