|
Caption: These were lean years for Amtrak. Dirty and sluggish, prone to failure, but still Amtrak carried on thru Niagara with what it could. Typical of the late 1970s before new F40PH locomotives were assigned to the Niagara run, these E9A locos, most built back in the 1950s, clattered along the line over the International Bridge to the USA before the route was changed and trains began crossing at Niagara Falls around early 1979.
In this view we have AMTK 425 and 409, it is about to cross to the USA after its station stop at the old flat roofed Fort Erie station which is out of sight behind the trees. The former Bridgeburg station in the foreground was right next to the river crossing; some years ago it was relocated to the Fort Erie RR park on Central Ave.
|
Great shot, so many things have changed, it would have been nice to see Fort Erie in its hey days.
Wonderfully historic picture Father M. Was this the train to Detroit that followed the CASO line? I wasn’t taking pictures of trains at this time and I’m glad you were there recording these.
Comment(s): Yes, I believe the AMTK was running the CASO at this time. I haven’t notes around handy to look up schedules. And to Marcus: Thanks……things change and many wonder why us guys who had the chance didn’t document more than we did. Well, in fairness; the days are numbered for Stuart St. yd in Hamilton and of course street running in Brantford and so many of us, including myself; haven’t buckled down to get our fill of photos. We just go day to day and all of a sudden……..they GONE!!
Nice shot, Arnold! Funny how there were two stations so close but different railways…. Was this being used at this time for any purpose?
H.T.Grep: Don’t forget there was another station opposite the flat roof station out of sight in this photo. So 3 stations!!! This brick structure was probably only a wayside building for maintenance crews at the time I took this photo. Various tools and supplies were kept in a wooden structure attached to the west side of the building but by this time in 1978 the addition had been removed. I also recall Customs papers and such being handled here in earlier years.