Caption: In many ways, this photo is symbolic of the evolution of the Canadian rail industry. The location, of course, is the Stuart Street yard in Hamilton, once the hub of the historic Great Western Railway and later an important centre on the Grand Trunk. It became a regional hub for Canadian National until downsizing reduced its importance in the 1990s. This was followed by out-sourcing to the short line Southern Ontario Railway in 1997 (represented by former Railink GP 4003 in this photo). These smaller railroads were consolidated under Rail America and later Genesee & Wyoming (represented by Quebec-Gatineau GP35u 2500 in G&W paint). And now a form of re-birth, as the "West Harbour" area of Hamilton is transformed from a former industrial area to an urban residential area complete with GO Station. And the "circle of life" will complete later this year as this facility becomes a CN operation once again.
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