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Caption: GO Transit's most scenic line, but also the most treacherous, has to be the Richmond Hill line. This mostly includes the section between Mile 2 and 10 of the former CN Bala Subdivision. The line traverses parallel to the Don River for most of that distance, and that ends right here. Slugging along at a steady 35mph, GO 837 crosses over the Don Valley Parkway, after having previously crossed under it further south just a few minutes prior. On the right behind where the GO train disappears, the CP Belleville Sub crosses over. A second train would be nice, but there's obviously a fat chance of that. The famous rainbow tunnel was painted by Norwegian artist Berg Johnson in 1972, who dangerously suspended himself from the Bala Sub. Some say a train came by and cut the rope, causing him to fall and hurt himself, which wouldn't surprise me. Nonetheless, the locals have done what they can to keep the tunnel art in good condition. The Don Valley Parkway in the foreground is experiencing the rush hour crush, which certainly is not doing a good job keeping up with the GO train.
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Great drone shot Daniel!
Nice shot Daniel. Did you know the Bala Sub goes over the Don at least 10 times from Doncaster to the UPRC? Its one of my fave subs to head south on, especially during the fall. It can also be one of the worst for trespassing. The tracks are popular with off road bikers in the summer and with all the curves we don’t get a great view around corners. Many times I have almost hit someone on the tracks. We also have to ring the bell continiously from Pottery Road until we get to the golf course around mile 8, in case of trespassers.
You’re getting pretty great with that drone, Dan. Awesome shot
Thanks guys! I was not aware it was 10 times no, that’s a lot! I will admit I’ve trespassed on the Bala Sub ROW before as Bayview Avenue has no sidewalk, but at least I use common sense unlike some of those knuckleheads. I was aware of the Rule 13 between Pottery and the Hydro crossing by the golf course, and know that many GO crews do not follow it. I shake my head every time as one day it’ll bite one of crews when someone does not get out of the way in time. I’m surprised you enjoyed the southern Bala extension. From what I heard from a couple CN employees, the grade and the curves made them very edgy about the slack action, particularly on the massive 435 when it ran down there. I’m sure the frequent trespassers doesn’t help. It would certainly help if the city built a few pedestrian crossings and marked paths I think. GO’s new horns are very noise appropriate compared to their predecessors, so I can’t see how horn zones would hurt either.
Phil (ngineered4u ) – is that you on 523 Thurs evening meeting 399 at ash…I know the voice !
Hey snake..lol yea that was me on 523 at Aldershot then met 399 at Ash.
and apparently again today on the 2908. I was at the tire place but blocked by some tanks as you came back into the aldershot yard after wyeing the power.
@Snake,Yea that was me again
I will be picking up a Schnabel Car this morning to move to Pickering if you are out and about.
Ah, East Branch Don River Valley and Bala Sub (supposedly exists due to the O & Q at Leaside hassling the Canadian Northern to the point the CNoR built the diversion (up the DRV)…. watched the ONR – CN pool train #87 Northland ( Union departure 20:00 ) many a summer evening…and famous for trespassing…and blind curves, one of those curves just south of the golf course claimed a CN refrigerator car, reportedly the hanging beef sides oscillated the car to the point the car overturned…
The neat thing is when you ride the GO train, you don’t see the city building landscape, very little evidence that you are in the City until you get down to Pottery Rd, and then you only see the apartment/condo buildings on the east side of the Don along Broadview Ave. Like others, it is my favourite rail exit from downtown Toronto, and over 77 years have ridden up and down this part of the Bala Sub on many different trains, behind a CNR Pacific on the 3-times a week Parry Sound local, in a sleeper on CN/ONR Northland, the TEE and its successors, on CN’s Continental, VIA’s south bound Canadian, various UCRS steam excursions behind 6167 and 6218 including 6167-6218 double header excursion, and of course many GO train trips to/from Oriole.
Hate to admit it, but did trespass around north end of Rosedale siding to take slides, and around Don, but always very aware of and clear of passing trains. When working late at Queen & Bay,pre-GO Transit train service, I would sometimes drive downtown and on my way home would pace the Northland overnight train from Don up to Pottery Rd, often getting a “horn salute” from the engineer – great fun ! Daniel, nice picture from an angle never seen by me before. John