Caption: The Tunnel Bridge. At mile 4.2 of the Trillium Canal Spur, an ex-Canadian Pacific MLW RS18u guides a single car from Feeder Yard across the "Tunnel Bridge" for St, Catharines. Once operated by the Canadian National, the tunnel bridge spans a deep cut, wherein Canadian Pacific's Hamilton Subdivision runs on the approach to a tunnel underneath the Welland Canal. During the early 1970s, the Niagara Region saw a major reconfiguration of its railroad lines with the advent of the Welland Canal bypass project. On this sunny December morning, TRRY 1859 is seen working its way towards Welland and ultimately St. Catharines, while the 108 spots cars at the Atlantic Biodiesel facility in the background. Later in the day, the 108 would also cross the Tunnel Bridge to access the small Trillium yard in Welland. Once upon a time, Canadian National and Norfolk Southern shared an intermodal facility on the 108 side of the Tunnel Bridge in Dain City. Like so much of the infrastructure in the area, though, it is all but a memory.
|
All the politicians who are promoting “INFRASTRUCTURE” should come and visit this area. The WELLAND CANAL DIVERSION was to provide for uninterupted railway and canal operations. It took years and millions of dollars (would be billions of dollars today) to complete. And what does it serve today; about 50 years later? A shortline and two underused main lines. We cannot predict the future and building today for future needs is foolish. (Rant Over)