Welcome Visitor. First time here? Like what you see? Bookmark us for when you are bored, and check out 'top shots' and 'fantastic (editors choice)' in the menu above, you won't be dissapointed. Join our community!
click here to sign up for an account today. Sick of this message? Get rid of it by
logging-in here.
I’m a transition era lover. When I hired on CN, the F-units and GP9′s were still very busy earning their keep. But they had lost their hold on the mainline, the SD40 had been around long enough to get a firm hold on that position. My favourite engine sound will always be the F-unit and nothing beats walking through a string of them with that 567 rumbling as you went past. Here again though, the SD40 was making its audible presence known. Going to the shop track to pick up your units with that turbo whine all around, you knew that big power was surrounding you. Glad I turned 18 when I did as it allowed me to experience the overlap of 2 eras, 567 to 645.
2006
my absolute FAVORITE era was the oil boom of 2014, modern enough for me and great power, 2017 isn’t to shabby compared to what 2016 was… but could be better
2010-2011 ish, on Ontario Northland when the Northlander still ran, and when there were a few units still left in the original cheveron paint scheme. If only I could’ve made it to at least North Bay to see some, but I would’ve been 8 or 9 at the time.
Tough question in a sense, Mr. Host. I quit work in 2006…..I ‘wound down’ by going out to the tracks instead of to work. Frequency of trains made this a nice time to be trackside, but I think early spring of 2007 was when almost anything could be seen on CN. made it a favourite period. And then there was the era on CP (mid 80s) when 250+ leasers were running around. My most favourite time does not count with this group. CP took over the D&H in 1990 and for a few years there shuffled anything decrepit onto that road….tired leasers and born-again Alcos make it heavenly between Albany & Bingo. The introduction of the ACs on CP and the demise of the SDs spelt the beginning of a huge downturn in my ‘trackside energies’ in Ontariowe. Blame EHH too. Thank goodness for the growth of shortlines, or there would be not much of anything.
Great pic!
My favorite era would have to be 2004 – 2007. Its when I started taking the hobby seriously and its when I would force myself to go track side and catch some trains. Little did I know at the time that this was a great time to be a railfan. Both CN and CP had a great array of power still and the Foreign power was plentiful. Like you Stephen, the SD40-2 is my favorite as well.
Sadly, I definitely took it for granted as I didn’t bother taking pictures. Thankfully photographers like yourself have captured these moments.
Thanks to all for posting pics in my favorite era.