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Caption: Yeah, the 'race' was on. Pity I cannot remember who won!! Actually, I think it was the CN 449 that got my attention and since it was on the south track..........and along comes CP, hidden as it rounded the curve. This was a great experience of remarkable timing; and as both trains were Hamilton-bound they were moving right along. And both trains had Alcos in consist, such units had been demoted to trailing power a couple of years previous. CP 5906, 4742 and 4221 made up #526, bound for the USA, and CN #449, it worked Hamilton's Stuart St yard (the yard wasn't handed to RLK until end of 1997) before going to Niagara Falls from Toronto. Pity I made an error in logging this train, I omitted the 3rd unit, so only can show CN 9499, 2338,xxxx and 1396. Since CP does not pay for rights over the Oakville Sub any more, chances of a sighting like this again are slim and none.
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Awesome!
if this was 1995, that CP 47xx was on it’s last legs..if not one of the last runs.
Nice! Too bad the good power is trailing.
Wonderful image, Arnold!
GREAT SHOT!!! I remember working 449/448 very often. It was not one of my favorite trains to work but the power was always interesting!
Aye, it was getting near the end, Mr. Snake. I went into my notes; left for Oneonta and the D&H right after this and in 10 days saw NO 4700s or 4500s. Thats where the ‘junque’ usually resided. Next 4700s I logged were in April 1995, a 4730 and a 4718 on different days. The CP was awash with SDs by then.
Definitely twilight for the MLW’s. CN’s privatization was only a year off and the new regime had no interest in nostalgia. Hard to believe that the once ubiquitous SD40-2′s are succumbing to a similar fate. Life cycle, I suppose.
Great image indeed!!!
Was 449 a Ft.Erie bound train?
First; thanks guys, for the positive comments. And secondly, no, Docta; I believe this train terminated at Niagara Falls CN yard.
Gotcha. I recall hearing that ID a while ago but I’ve since forgotten about it
Tisk, tisk. You’re not old enough to be forgetful.:o)
448/449 were Mac Yrd to Niagara Falls trains. Usually with work at Aldershot or Hamilton. 449 was westbound out of Mac.
Those were the good old days when the Toronto freight pool had lots of work compared to the zero trains we have now.
Toronto crews manned 448/449, 154 which stopped at BIT to lift stack cars for Buffalo plus we had 339/338 Mac to Frontier Yard and return and I forget the train number, but we ran Mac Yrd to Bison Yard on the NS. Man we lost lots of work down that way. Sigh.
Another fantastic shot Mr Mooney! And a thank you to ngineered4u for the additional info as well!
Third CN unit is an M636, so 23**.
I recall shooting a memorable 449 one inter afternoon down in Port Rob in 1998. They made a lift in the yard and headed to Fort Eire or Buffalo. I do not recall seeing 449 before or after that one time at Port Rob, but at the very least it could operate past Niagara Falls yard if needed.