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Caption: The old and the new co-exist at Puslinch for a very brief couple months. What's happening on the Galt sub? PNR has quickly installed new signal masts at most ABS locations between Guelph Junction and Killean/Galt. The old Searchlight ABS signals, installed in 1944 or 1945 as a result of the very heavy wartime traffic are being replaced, not with CTC - but with new ABS signals. That's right, this isn't a CTC project. Considering the age of the equipment on the Galt sub, it's no surprise. I'm informed a similar 'island' of ABS upgrades are ongoing on the Windsor sub - the entire Galt and Windsor subs will have new signals likely within the next two years if all goes at the same speed and if PNR crews do not continue throughout the fall and winter months. Get your shots - while south of the border, PTC is quickly eliminating classic signal systems, it's also happening here for different reasons.. and your once classic photos will soon be gone.
In this photo, CP 235 is at track speed iand the tail end is rounding the curve at Puslinch on the main. With both 241 and 235 running late, the RTC threw 244 into the hole at Puslinch (despite their ability to easily clear the junction - the crew was not happy!) and the conductor is seen heading to reverse the east siding switch and get the hell out of puslinch and into the CTC at the junction. This was a very nice suprise for this photographer, as it was 0630 when this started going down... and I was in the 'hood' so I stayed put till the action subsided! It was a very (1) good (2) morning for me - hopefully you guys in the trades have good mornings too :)
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ABS upgrade? *Rolls eyes* Not many railroads can beat the cheapness of CP. Nonetheless, this is surprising considering it was Hunter who CTC’d the ABS sections of lines in southwestern Ontario, like the Dundas and Grimsby. I guess he figures it wasn’t worth it. I’m sure the crews appreciated it though.
Stephen…in the last investor day, Oct 2014, ( ironically just as crude was about to plummet) it showed this as earmarked for CTC…any info from on the ground ? GR
Daniel I beg to differ. The fact cp is spending money…… they could rip it out and go dark!
snake info is solid, it is abs, from ground based observations.
if it was ctc you’d expect additional aspects to be possible for example
My own observation of a different light (pathetic pun) is how the area changed yet remained the same since I got into this hobby. In the 70s the field to the right was just a field. Then it became overgrown with commercial concerns and structures. Now, it is back to being just a field again….if the foliage would break thru the gravel lot.
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I should add that is a great image. Do you recall the name(s) of the industries that occupied this site? I notice at least the one lead track was taken up. Was there more?
Thanks Arnold, to me it’s a standard shot, shootable any morning given the fact two or three eastbounds run every day in good light.. it’s an easy shot.
From what I remember this was the former site of Phillips & Daughters. Recalling they had their own trackmobile and when it broke down things got interesting: for a couple weeks leased an OSR RS23 10 years ago or so. I saw it but never photographed it
They pulled up shop and moved to Guelph in 2005, using rail for a week or two on GEXR at CN Guelph Jct by the former Lumber site that burned down then they moved yet again – I don’t know if the are still in business.
The Puslinch Backtrack is still in place and used for BO setoffs and MOW, it’s just over grown in this photo. Half of the lead is red flagged however.
Judging by the height of the codeline you’d think there were more spur(s) going under that codeline a long time ago when the station was in place.. (hint hint to anyone who has photos of Puslinch in the 70′s or earlier!)
This is a nice place to shoot from, but the traffic biting at your butt, makes for some hair raising moments if some one decides to turn on either side of the bridge!!
Bill agreed. Traffic isn’t so bad at 0700 though.
I can’t even remember the last time I shot a SOO on the point, so way to go on that note! But Jesus thats a big, expensive looking signal that is replacing the dwarf (or if you want to be PC “low masted signal”). All that hardware just to display slow to clear, slow to stop, or stop signal…. OK CP. If memory serves me, wasn’t there a little GE 25T critter in that back track at one point? 1999-2000 ish?
To split hairs, that signal is never going to display a slow to clear. It has 3 aspects, the top and bottom will always show red. The middle aspect will change to allow for “medium” or “limited” speeds.
In my mind, it seems a little over kill for ABS but knowing CP isn’t in the mood for spending anymore than it has too aaaand…..
Being far removed from the activity on the Galt and not wanting to question one foamie who always has his ear in the right room for these things I will stop here.
thanks Dave. Curious what speeds that aspect will allow? I thought maybe its a mistake, its not an aspect i see in many rulebooks… drove by tonight and it is still the same
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Steve, I never challenged you saying it is ABS. I don’t know why you concluded that. I’m saying I think it’s silly that CP is doing that. Paddle on…
Daniel, I didn’t conclude that, you just did
I was simply stating CP is spending money and they could have just gone the other way instead.
Either way, SOO 6053 was eastbound today and is near Toronto yard. Should go out west again on some westbound in the next 24 hours most likely – have an eye.
As a S&C maintainer that has worked that territory I can tell you the signals needed to be replaced…this picture shows new two headed signals, this will be CTC, ABS has one signal heads at siding ends and any new signals in between will just be converted out…those signals are really still automatic.
Hunter is big on keeping trains moving so all switches will be remotely controlled and trains will not be stopped for switch operation at meets.
Dark territory is for branch lines not for CP’s mainline to the US. I’m surprised this is being done now as GO will eventually use this line for it’s trains from Cambridge.
They have already put in long signaled sidings with CTC in several locations on the Galt Sub. and no doubt will continue this upgrade until it is complete….many years in the making, but that’s CP,,,they didn’t have taxpayer money to invest in the infrastructure like CN had before they went private. Now that CP is making the bucks change is finally coming!
I see the siding will have a 3 headed signal…so either a red green red, red yellow red…or stop – red red red.