Caption: After working the Grantham Spur in St. Catharines, TR 1859 heads back towards Welland with four boxcars, including one hi-cube. From recent observations, it appears this is typically a Monday and Friday run. 1859 is without a doubt the cleanest unit Trillium has, and it appears the crews may take pride in cleaning it, something unheard of on class 1 railroads. The conductor clearly has some knowledge of railroad photography, as he very nicely dimmed the lights for me, and proudly waved. In the distance, two ships make their way through Locks 4-6 on the Welland Canal, while another descends Lock 7 just to the right of the photo.

Back when this was CN's mainline to and from Buffalo, it was double track. That changed around the 1970s, and only westbounds took this route downhill due to the ridiculously steep grade, as well as the odd local like 549. Bridge 10 was dismantled in 1997, effectively splitting the Thorold Sub in half and pushing all trains onto the Stamford Sub. Today it is the Thorold Spur as used by Trillium. Arnold Mooney's shot from just months prior to Bridge 10's dismantling shows some of the few changes that have occurred.

http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=7959

As always, significant tree growth as occurred. And anything longer than a stubby local just doesn't happen anymore, besides when CP goes on strike. Emergency detours on CN do warrant a possibility, but taking the Hamilton Sub the entire way would offer much less hassle and would be safer. For now, enjoy Trillium!