Caption: Railfans all over, trackside, on the platform, and of course - look closely - on the signal mast. The annual NRHS Buffalo Convention was held in Toronto at the end of August in 1958 featuring a two-day set of excursions, one over the CPR and one over the CNR the following day. Here we see the CPR train led by Pacific 1271 and Royal Hudson 2839 charging uphill belching smoke for all the fans. Having departed Toronto Union, the train would head south from Guelph Junction to Hamilton returning to Toronto over the CNR's Oakville Subdivision.

By this time only four steam locomotives (including the two pictured) were still active out of John Street, 1271 (last G5c Pacific, built by CLC April 1947), Royal Hudson 2839 (H1c, MLW 1937), 1265 (G5c, CLC 1947), and 2399 (G3g, CLC 1942), all but one of one of which would be retired and scrapped. The survivor, CPR 2839, is now on display at Sylmar California as part of the Nethercutt Collection. Thanks to Ray Kennedy and George Roth for information.

Bill Thomson shot here looking west about a year later showing the steam era facilities located at the junction, with the unique two track, four locomotive engine house hidden in behind.

Edward P. Haines Photo, Jacob Patterson Collection Slide.