Caption: Looking at this photo, you would think that I'm trackside in the middle of rural Southern Ontario. Fields for as far as the eye can see and quaint farm structures dotting the landscape in escarpment country. However, as with much of the Golden Horseshoe, 'progress' is taking over. Farm fields are giving way to urban sprawl and once quiet single lane roads on the outskirts of town are being expanded to accomodate the influx of new residents. I'm standing on Louis St. Laurent Avenue, a brand new road which cuts across the southern end of Milton's new developments. Behind me, on both sides of the tracks are hundreds of new homes, connected by hundreds of new streets, crescents and cul de sacs stretching right up to Steeles Avenue. Not only does this new road connect dozens of streets to main arteries, it also provides a beautiful shot for eastbounds climbing the escarpment, cutting through the last vestige of farm land in the middle of the Halton Sub. Progress affects the railway too, here we see A 42231 30 griding upgrade with a long train from the Niagara Peninsula, which includes 7 brand new GE ET44AC GEVos. These new Tier 4 GEs will go into service this evening, replacing older units on the CN roster and will provide the cost and operational benefits associated with new AC power. But for now, they are just along for the ride as a pair of older DC workhorses do their best to grind this 10000 foot train up the escarpment. Before we know it, the once common (Even boring!) SD75Is and C44-9Ws will go the way of the farm fields and be another victim of the progression of time. 1530/30: CN A 42231 30: CN 5743, IC 2721, CN 3033, CN 3028, CN 3031, CN 3035, CN 3034, CN 3036, CN 3027
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Great shot! LOL..the SD75I’s are far from boring( I thought the same about the GP40-2′s,now they are almost gone). They are actually my favorite locomotives to run..estremely quiet, even compared to the newer power.
The interesting part about your observations about change is that to the right of where 422 is will be CN”s new Milton Intermodal Terminal, which is being built to take pressure of BIT. In my 35 years at CN I have seen so many changes and that continues daily.
That’s one fine catch, chief! Nicely done