Caption:
Rare mileage indeed !
Unusual VIA J train #64 and #42 rolls by at a sedate 40 mph and into the Rouge River Valley passing under the CPR Belleville Subdivision.
Forty five years into the VIA era and November 27, 2021 the first regularly schedule passenger trains on the CN York Subdivision....( granted from time to time an occasional emergency detour may have transpired).... two day all weekend detours due to major maintenance on the Rouge River bridge mile 316 Kingston Subdivision initiated by Metrolinx ( GO Transit) .
And from those who rode: Sean Marshall wrote in Canadian Passenger Rail group ISO November 27:
“ ... [#64] joined with Train 42 and separated at Oshawa Station. Trains 64/42 went up the Bala, with 42 leading – passengers with forward-facing seats sat backwards to Doncaster. [VIA] took the south to west connecting track, with Train 42 over Bayview Avenue. After a few minutes, we reversed direction with Train 64 leading. Apart from the 40 minute delay due to the detour, there were no incidents to note.... ”
and Doug Bardeau of London wrote (same source) November 27:
“on the same train as Sean (possibly in the same car - 4), from Union to Oshawa. Here is the consist:
6415 F40PH-3*
3474 LRC Club*
3318 LRC Coach*
3333 LRC Coach*
3303 LRC Coach*
3304 LRC Coach*
6431 F40PH-3**
3465 LRC Club**
3339 LRC Coach**
3335 LRC Coach**
3305 LRC Coach**
904 P42DC**
(9 cars)
* train 64
** train 42
Consist faced west on track 8 with 64 boarding from gate 16 and 42 boarding from gate 17. Train ran backward up Bala subdivision.”
In the Rouge River valley lands at mile 6.5 CN York Subdivision, witnessed by Cobourg fans John & Ethan, Bob G, & Moi at 12:32 November 27, 2021 digital by S.Danko.
Noteworthy: from a photography viewpoint this is a challenging location, the overcast day allowed this mid day southeastward facing image.
sdfourty
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The diversion pictured above will continue for at least Mon, Tue & Wed Nov, 29, 30 & Dec 1, according to VIA, advising eb trains #50,40,60, 668 and wb trains 47, 645, 61 & 67 are cancelled and all others between Toronto-Ottawa & Montreal will encounter delays of at least 45 minutes, and for 53 & 65 at least 90 minutes.
I am not sure if the diversion was still happening for VIA trains on the York Sub today. Metrolinx was only running east from Union Station to Guildwood on a 30 min schedule and had buses to run from Guildwood to Pickering where passengers could continue east to Oshawa GO. I was told ( not confirmed). The 119 yr old bridge over the Rouge River is being replaced over weekend periods continuing into 2022. Sadly a colleague from our sister company was killed on November 27/21 while working on this project. The bridge work is delayed until the OML investigates the tragic accident. Thoughts and prayers for his family and friends. I know what its like to lose a coworker on the job We sometimes forget just how dangerous railroading can be!