Railpictures.ca - A.W.Mooney Photo: It has been at least 8 years since on this site there was a discussion about the CN Thorold Sub north track bridge over the CN Grimsby sub down by the canal at Merritton. Knew I had a photo somewhere. Finally found it. The Thorold Sub used to be a two track main, and pictured is the north track bridge as it went over above the Grimsby and down into the yard at Merritton. The bridge was removed in 1976 although some of the track on the north side leading up is still there. The Thorold sub used to be busy line until the Canal Bypass was built in 1968-70 and what used to be the Welland sub became the Stamford and a connection was put in at CN Clifton, bypassing the steep grades at Thorold. I had been told that this bridge was known locally as “Bum Bridge” as it was a hangout for hoboes and others hopping trains and was the source of many injuries due to reckless behaviour of those who frequented the area. So the bridge is long gone but part of the abutments can still be seen. In this image looking west the background visible is the Merritt St overpass and behind that, the old Merritton NS&T bridge. Note in the foreground the canal ‘derails’. | Railpictures.ca – Canadian Railway Photography

It has been at least 8 years since on this site there was a discussion about the CN Thorold Sub north track bridge over the CN Grimsby sub down by the canal at Merritton. Knew I had a photo somewhere. Finally found it.
The Thorold Sub used to be a two track main, and pictured is the north track bridge as it went over above the Grimsby and down into the yard at Merritton. The bridge was removed in 1976 although some of the track on the north side leading up is still there. The Thorold sub used to be busy line until the Canal Bypass was built in 1968-70 and what used to be the Welland sub became the Stamford and a connection was put in at CN Clifton, bypassing the steep grades at Thorold.
I had been told that this bridge was known locally as "Bum Bridge" as it was a hangout for hoboes and others hopping trains and was the source of many injuries due to reckless behaviour of those who frequented the area. So the bridge is long gone but part of the abutments can still be seen. In this image looking west the background visible is the Merritt St overpass and behind that, the old Merritton NS&T bridge.
Note in the foreground the canal 'derails'.

Caption: It has been at least 8 years since on this site there was a discussion about the CN Thorold Sub north track bridge over the CN Grimsby sub down by the canal at Merritton. Knew I had a photo somewhere. Finally found it. The Thorold Sub used to be a two track main, and pictured is the north track bridge as it went over above the Grimsby and down into the yard at Merritton. The bridge was removed in 1976 although some of the track on the north side leading up is still there. The Thorold sub used to be busy line until the Canal Bypass was built in 1968-70 and what used to be the Welland sub became the Stamford and a connection was put in at CN Clifton, bypassing the steep grades at Thorold. I had been told that this bridge was known locally as "Bum Bridge" as it was a hangout for hoboes and others hopping trains and was the source of many injuries due to reckless behaviour of those who frequented the area. So the bridge is long gone but part of the abutments can still be seen. In this image looking west the background visible is the Merritt St overpass and behind that, the old Merritton NS&T bridge. Note in the foreground the canal 'derails'.

Photographer:	A.W.Mooney [2189] (more) (contact)
Date:	07/00/1975 (search)
Railway:	Canadian National (search)
Reporting Marks:	not applicable (search)
Train Symbol:	n/a (search)
Subdivision/SNS:	CN Grimsby sub. (search)
City/Town:	St. Kitts (Merritton) (search)
Province:	Ontario (search)
Share Link:	http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=51669

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Photo ID: 50376

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9 Comments

Stephen C. Host

April 13, 2023 at 9:34 pm

Wow very cool. Thanks for sharing. Was it in use in 1975?
DoctaPinklaces

April 13, 2023 at 10:17 pm

Incredible! Never have seen a shot from up close. Also didn’t realize the searchlights were on that side of the bridge. I know they were moved closer to the lift bridge after it was removed. Thanks for sharing Arnold, as a local to the area, and as someone who spent much of his youth wandering the trails here and wondering what it looked like, this is nothing short of amazing.
DoctaPinklaces

April 13, 2023 at 10:23 pm

Here’s a shot of the remains in 2014: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=19035
awmooney

April 14, 2023 at 6:56 am

Thanks, Docta: I knew that photo was in the files but for some reason “search” did not lead me to it.
awmooney

April 14, 2023 at 6:59 am

Mr. Host: I don’t think the track was in use in 1975. Probably someone like Mr. Mercer would know when it last got its rails polished.
railwayguy

April 14, 2023 at 10:31 pm

Another Mr. Mooney “good one”. Saw this bridge many times, travelled under it by train many times, but never rode over it, although “many who bet on the ponies” did on the regularly scheduled homebound Fort Erie Race Track trains. And yes did travel over the NS&T bridge in the background thanks to many UCRS and NRHS Excursions. Thank you for photographing this historical structure, John
terry.oshell

April 26, 2023 at 8:59 pm

A great photo, lots to see. A view I have not seen before. Not only is the bridge structure unique the Westinghouse M63 Point Machines for operating the derails were unique also, manufactured by The Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company in the UK the M63 Point Machines were used extensively in the UK but the same could not be said for their use in Canada. It is said they were a great source of overtime for the Signal Maintainer, eventually being replaced with North American made power switch machines. The signals were relocated closer to the bridge in 1982. Also of interest is the different length of the derail guard rail for “with” and “against” current of traffic movements?
awmooney

April 26, 2023 at 10:57 pm

Appreciate the input, Terry. So much I don’t know makes it so nice to learn.
JoeDurocher

July 2, 2024 at 9:38 pm

Arnold, this is it! Bum Bridge. As they say in Ohio, Holy Toledo! Memories. Kids used to climb up on top of the “derail guard rail.” There was one schoolmate who was seriously injured jumping from this trestle, because of an oncoming train. Had to repeat the year because of the time he missed at school. Wish I had a dollar for every time I was on, around or passed by “Bum Bridge.”

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