Caption: Remember this photo?

http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=21253

Well, evidently, thinks have changed a bit. You can read the description in that photo to get an idea of what has led up to this point.

Signal 2072 went dark sometime in mid 2016, that being the approach signal to Leaside.. Signal 2082 went dark a few years ago, which is the approach signal to the interlocking at Don. Signal 2094 is the northbound signal at the Don interlocking, and it is also now off. Signal 2065, pictured here though, ultimately was the last signal on the CP Don Branch to beam its searchlight bulbs, and I believe that ended in November 2016. Having done so, it would've displayed solid red for nearly nine years since the 2007 CP Holiday train last ran past it. It's a clear of demise of the Don Branch, and many in the city already know this line is no longer in use.

With the switch removed at Leaside onto the Don Branch, a City of Toronto project a little north of where the branch splits away from the CN Bala Sub has led to a massive hole in the ground. Therefore, the section of track there has been removed, and the Don Branch is now physically inaccessible to any heavy rail traffic. Not that this matters, as the track is not any condition to have a train operate on it anyways.

While the very southern leg of the CP Belleville Sub (as it is officially known) seems to be nearing its end as existing track, that is unlikely the case. Similar to the way CP used it for passenger trains into Union back in the day, Metrolinx purchased the line in hopes they will run GO trains on it at some point in the future. Even Via Rail made a case to run an alternate Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal route via Peterborough, which would most likely need to use this route. However, most of what comes from Via Rail is broken dreams, so realistically, keep your eyes on GO. In the meantime, the line will continue to wither away, probably for another decade at least. Regardless, it is pretty much expected that a future version of the Don Branch will not include the searchlight signals, and perhaps not the Half Mile bridge either if consistent double track is implemented as part of Metrolinx's Regional Express Rail network.

Until then, enjoy the Don Branch for what it's worth. As for the train in question here, the timing of the upload is fitting, since CP 241 no longer exists as of this past week, and has been replaced by 141. Things change quickly on the railroad. Thankfully the Don Branch will have the time capsule over it for some time to come (hopefully).

My sluggish uploading is due to inconsistencies in my ever changing life. I'm still taking plenty of photos though, and should be able to upload more soon.