Caption: Amtrak F40PH 203 leads a consist of Amfleet cars on VIA train #96 "The Maple Leaf" into the Niagara Falls (Ontario) station, making its final stop before crossing the border into the US. The "ghetto grills" on the lead unit were installed to protect the crew from the usual hoodlums, never-do-wells and miscreants in certain areas of Amtrak's Northeast corridor that were know to throw rocks or drop bricks, cinderblocks, and other objects off overpasses as trains passed by.

Of note, 203 is also sporting the old as-delivered "Phase 2" Amtrak livery (that F40's from 200 to at least the 290's wore as-delivered) which may have been rare at the time, since it had been superseded by the more popular Phase 3 livery in the late 70's on all new and repainted equipment.

Reg Button photo, Dan Dell'Unto collection slide.