Caption: NS is a highlight in Niagara, as it tends to deliver entertainment when CN and CP doesn't. This was one of those days. NS C93 left Bison Yard in Buffalo with a surprising leader, MEC 3402, in Pan Am Railways paint. A little research indicates NS and Pan Am came to an agreement to form a joint subsidiary railroad known as Pan Am Southern. Essentially, power and track sharing is what railfans see from this. The agreement has existed since 2009, though this may be first time NS demonstrated this in Ontario. I certainly couldn't speak for Quebec. Interesting to note on the MEC unit is the bulkier fuel tank. The cab mounted horn is also an oddity on freight locomotives in today's world. Trailing, or should I say leading at this point is NS 2573. A standard cab SD70 built in 1998 for Conrail, it was part of EMD's second last order for standard cab six axle power, at least within Canada and the U.S.

One of the usual friendly NS crews was on board, and CN for some reason was not able to get 531 ready as early as they usually do, so C93 presumably was waiting for them to drop cars in Fort Erie yard. Hopefully they had plenty of newspapers as it would be another two hours before 531 arrived. As they read away, CP 246 clips past at track speed, beginning to slow quickly for the International Bridge. The setting and lighting made this a little awkward, though my luck at Fort Erie has never been the greatest. With the Central Avenue truss span gone for almost two years now, the location has mostly lost its photogenic appeal. Luckily, the NS transfer still makes Fort Erie reasonably interesting.

To further elaborate on the Pan Am situation, this railroad used to be Guilford, which also included Boston & Maine and Maine Central. Through relations to Delaware & Hudson, you'll find that power from all three former railroads did make their mark in this part of Canada. In fact, look no further than one of Mr. Mooney's shots at Fort Erie in the mid 80s to see a pair of MEC units waiting to leave Fort Erie, presumably on a D&H transfer. Sometimes history comes back for another dance. http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=7296