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Caption: There were a lot of changes when the first new VIA schedule was issued to go into effect October 29, 1978. CN and CP passenger equipment was now shared now that the fledgling VIA RAIL corporation was organized in order to take control of the faltering CN and CP passenger trains. The "Canadian" was now originating/terminating at Toronto on its daily run, destination Vancouver, as trains #1 and #2, while the Super Continental, daily departed Montreal to Vancouver and return as trains #3 and #4. This image, taken from just west of the CN Tower walkway, is of the very first of those "Canadian" passenger trains that have become so popular over the years. Power up front is CP 4066 and 4067, with a CN steam jenny and a CN coach partway back, in an otherwise solid CP consist. Departure point Union Station can be seen in the background. A few pedestrians, possibly uninformed as to the historical significance they are witnessing, watch from overhead.
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Absolutely fantastic shot! Nice mix of CP Rail FP7′s and CP/CN/VIA equipment. Reminds me of Silver Streak, my favorite movie as a child. Give a wave to Gene Wilder & Richard Prior for me. Hiawatha Pete. http://northamericabyrail.info
Richard Pryor, that is.
Silver Streak was THAT long ago already?? Oh, lawdy……
Sweet. As Scatman Crothers said in the movie: “Gotta drink to that!”
Amazing Shot! Arnold, you were there to record history.
Thanks for comments of appreciation, guys. Yes, it did take a bit of slithering to get into that position.
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Was the bridge in the photo the same one moved to Orillia for Webers Restaurant.?
No. The bridge at Weber’s used to span Burlington St (now Nikola Tesla) in Hamilton close to the QEW. It went up and over the street and was rarely used because essentially it went from residential to industrial.