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Caption: I uploaded an image of this train quite a while back; however, this angle, showing the old Niagara water tower and the Central Av bridge also shows a lot more of the train. Norfolk & Western was involved in a contract dispute that dragged on for a year and a half before a strike was called by the Brotherhood of Railway and Airline Clerks (BRAC). Pickets succeeded in slowing down operations, but the real damage was when secondary pickets disrupted operations of connecting roads. The strike spread, and eventually a month after this photo was taken, over 350,000 employees nation-wide were off the job. The government had to step in. Unfortunately for me, I had planned a cross-USA trip that year. So I remember the Great Strike of 1978. The only trains I saw moving the whole trip were probably operated by non-union company officials and the like. This train, avoiding hassles, crossed Sou Ontario via the CASO. Power is D&H 7412, N&W 830, 2493, D&H 7420, N&W 2709,xxxx, and 1572.
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Great shot!
Thanks Jacob. If you like RR history, the Great Strike of 1978 is really worth reading up on.
GPS is a bit off there, Mr Mooney
but this is a great shot
I saw the location was off, and put in a call for help. However, good help might be even harder to find seeing this is Super Bowl Sunday.
This scene is in the process of change. The “Central Avenue” bridge is being replaced. They are building a new bridge on the far side of this picture which will be moved into place of the present one when it is finished. (Also much of the glass is missing from the shop building in the distance.)
Thanks. I saw there was some activity around that bridge. But wasn’t sure just what was being done. I hope the finished product has an unobstructed view from each side. It was a great location for pictures over the years !!
I’d love to understand how they re-routed traffic through Canada during the strike – as you alluded – was this a NW train on the Air Line route or did it use the CASO and Conrail crews? Mercer? Anyone?
Ya know, Mr. Host…….there is the big difference between then and now. Back in 1978 I can remember asking someone on the train crew what was going on. They were waiting for a light to proceed, and they were a ‘detour train’. What else they said I have long forgotten. Back then, this was a photo for ME. Something for my files. Never did I expect the opportunity to arise that images from the depths of my junk-stash become public viewing. Now, because of what RP is, many modern day contributors make sure they have the facts, for they know it is what the viewers want.
…very nice…clearly shows the impact of the Conrail creation…D&H acquired the ex Reading units due to the Conrail deal, what I can’t remember is whether D&H had to buy the units or if D&H was assigned the units given the anticipated increased traffic.
Keep them coming Arnold!
A lot going on in 1978, in August, major airline work stoppage too ( pilots or air traffic controllers?), see the super sized CP Rail The Canadian:
Mactier Sub 1978
more Mactier Sub 1978
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