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Caption: I'll admit quite freely the OBRY Owen Sound Sub is one of my main interests - I grew up just behind the bend north of the diamond at English St and really cemented my interest in trains. But I also squandered opportunity as I began photographing trains while I began my career, so my freedom to just go find something even on a weekday was slim. But I did have a bucket list and this was one of them - the Tuesday/Thursday OBRY Freight run.
While it's not in CN paint unlike Rob Smith's recent posting I now understand how rare unrebuilt high-nose geeps are and they are very quickly becoming even more difficult to find as NS is ridding themselves of most of theirs and/or rebuilding them with new cabs. You can still find three unchopped geeps on the OSR out of Salford, but CCGX 1000 was off the OBRY sometime in 2009 - replaced with the 4009. 4009 was replaced in 2015, with 4014, which was quickly replaced with 4015 - so not counting CP lease/loan engines, is that it, only four units in a 18 year history (so far?). Also what was the disposition of 1000?
While the last days of CANDO on the OBRY are coming - young folks who are reading this in 2018 are well advised to go while you can - don't squander opportunity, because the only thing you can't change is what was gone before you started in the hobby. OBRY freight runs are now on Tuesdays and Fridays and is often in Brampton mid morning - arrive early to make sure you get 'em. At the time of this writing you have until June 30. Good luck :)
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CCGX 1000 is spending (I speculate, it’s last days) in the deadline at CEMR’s North Transcona Yard in Winnipeg. Mixed in with ex CN and CP GP9′s and sits currently coupled to one of the ex CEFX 15xx GP15D’s on their property.
The 1000 is the plant switcher (switching contracted to CANDO) at Coco Paving in Bath, ON, just off the Kingston Sub.
This is a nice shot Steve. The simplicity of it shows OBRY’s quaintness as a shortline. The double track Halton sub main almost seems to shadow over the OBRY line as the larger contender in the industry.
Nevermind, I’m looking at an old copy of the CTG.
Now this is a really nice photo! Love the angle! I never got to see CCGX 1000 but I got to see 4009 for many years and I saw it operating in its final days which was during spring break 2016. I too was very passionate about the Owen Sub for a long time and I sadly could only see this train in summer for many years up until parents were willing to take the city bus in my own.
99 – I probably only shot freight runs about four or five times. Maybe six if I count the random run-ins. I only chased it from end to end once…
Over 15 years that’s more than enough though. The Barrie-Collingwood Railway I have yet to do – one of the very few I have yet to visit in Ontario.
Again I blame my work schedule
Monday-Friday 8-5.
I thought they were gonna try to find a new operator for passenger service though?
Aaron last chance for Cando, passenger ops are done for now.
The two CVE coaches and RDC9 have all been sold to the Waterloo Central Railway, and are expected to move sometime in the near future.
1000 was originally the BCRY unit, then went to OBRY for years until 4009 arrived, and it stayed around for a bit before going off to Cando’s operations in Bath ON. It was last sent to Cando’s shop in Winnipeg.
1000 in earlier days
http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=8265
The two ex-VIA coaches were sold, it’s true. They were owned by Cando, and were sold shortly after the last run of the Explorer.
The RDC9 is owned by a different outfit not going anywhere, however.
-DG
Although I’ve been lucky enough to catch the OBRY in more recent years, I really wish I had the chance to photograph this unit before it was replaced and ultimately retired from service. There’s nothing wrong with a former CN GP-9RM, but an original high-hood GP-9 is a diesel-era classic
1000 was recently scrapped in Winnipeg..fyi.