Caption: CP's #523 was one of many daily trains to and from the USA that used to bring the highly patronized and world reknown Niagara Falls tourist area traffic to a standstill when trundling thru at a leisurely 10 or so MPH. Traffic headaches in the summer months were legendary. In this view CP 8249, HLCX 6500, HATX 506 and CP 5582 has just crossed the Niagara River and is on its way to Welland. About 3 cars deep in the train Clifton Hill tourist area is blocked by the passing of what is about the last thing visitors would expect to see here. The City of Niagara Falls fought for years to get the railroad to vamoose. And it finally happened, Dec. 2001 was the last time any trains ran thru this line; track pulled up and the big Casinos now occupy some of what was former CP Ham Sub here. CP now shares CN Stamford Sub and uses the International Bridge (Fort Erie) for access to the USA. In the last years of the line thru the falls area being used, I can recall some evenings the USA-bound train, such as #734, would be so long that the Clifton Hill road crossing would be blocked by a train whose head end was all the way over at the US Customs on the American side!!!
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Great capture, from the Google satellite maps it looks almost like a Brantford-esque pseudo street running section. Nice power too for a final run!
Great shot! This was one location I never had a chance to shoot
I too never got there to shoot, I cringe everything I go there now. Awesome shot of an awesome consist Mr. Mooney.
Warren – this was the former CASO/NYC/PC/CR double track mainline too – CSX ran on it till April ’96 with CP and there were spurs going to the left in the 50′s 60′s too……
I also, like Rob and Marcus cringe when going – I went there in November 2001 with my now wife and remember seeing a few freights, but thought, I’ll come back for photos later. One month later they ripped it right up and it was done. I wasn’t in the loop back then
But have I been back to shoot the remaining local on the Montrose/Chippawa? Nope..
Oh Warren – http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=12940
Thanks HTG!