Railpictures.ca - Marcus W Stevens Photo: Deep in Amish country basic black paint just seems to set the tone as borrowed LDS GP38 2003 and GP9U 1597 haul a decent size cut of tank cars westward near Orwell. The old telephone pole date back to when this line was a mainline connecting St. Thomas to the Niagara region, hosting not just CN train but those of NS and its predecessors. Sadly today most of the line is gone, and what remains is in need of serious upgrades that may never come. Much of GIO Rails trip requires constantly watching for defective or non operating crossings. But it appears business is gradually picking up. It’s unfortunate the traffic and elevators in Courtland are gone today leaving what remains of the line east of Tilsonburg quiet and overgrown. While GP38 2003 looks like a standard GP38 it is a little unique as it was one of a small group of GP38’s built for Penn Central with dual control stands. This upgrade includes an extended front window arrangement. | Railpictures.ca – Canadian Railway Photography

Deep in Amish country basic black paint just seems to set the tone as borrowed LDS GP38 2003 and GP9U 1597 haul a decent size cut of tank cars westward near Orwell. The old telephone pole date back to when this line was a mainline connecting St. Thomas to the Niagara region, hosting not just CN train but those of NS and its predecessors. Sadly today most of the line is gone, and what remains is in need of serious upgrades that may never come. Much of GIO Rails trip requires constantly watching for defective or non operating crossings. But it appears business is gradually picking up. It’s unfortunate the traffic and elevators in Courtland are gone today leaving what remains of the line east of Tilsonburg quiet and overgrown. While GP38 2003 looks like a standard GP38 it is a little unique as it was one of a small group of GP38’s built for Penn Central with dual control stands. This upgrade includes an extended front window arrangement.

Caption: Deep in Amish country basic black paint just seems to set the tone as borrowed LDS GP38 2003 and GP9U 1597 haul a decent size cut of tank cars westward near Orwell. The old telephone pole date back to when this line was a mainline connecting St. Thomas to the Niagara region, hosting not just CN train but those of NS and its predecessors. Sadly today most of the line is gone, and what remains is in need of serious upgrades that may never come. Much of GIO Rails trip requires constantly watching for defective or non operating crossings. But it appears business is gradually picking up. It’s unfortunate the traffic and elevators in Courtland are gone today leaving what remains of the line east of Tilsonburg quiet and overgrown. While GP38 2003 looks like a standard GP38 it is a little unique as it was one of a small group of GP38’s built for Penn Central with dual control stands. This upgrade includes an extended front window arrangement.

Photographer:	Marcus W Stevens [1070] (more) (contact)
Date:	08/27/2024 (search)
Railway:	GIO Rail (search)
Reporting Marks:	LDSX 2003 (search)
Train Symbol:	Not Provided
Subdivision/SNS:	Cayuga subdivision (search)
City/Town:	Orwell (search)
Province:	Ontario (search)
Share Link:	http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=55001

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Photo ID: 53679

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7 Comments

Driver8666

August 30, 2024 at 9:17 am

Did they leave the dual control stands in or take them out?
Aitch

August 30, 2024 at 12:52 pm

Nice shot and good to see a decent size train. That broom looks very new. Do they know something about the coming winter ?
Marcus Stevens

August 30, 2024 at 12:55 pm

I’d be curious to know if the old control stand set up is still intact too.
terry.oshell

August 30, 2024 at 1:03 pm

Very nice.
homerjay84

August 30, 2024 at 1:47 pm

No the dual controls are removed by the looks of it. You would be able to see some of it behind the conductor I would think.
Stephen C. Host

August 30, 2024 at 2:47 pm

GIO is really showing what can be done with a left for dead, twice, branchline.

Good for them. I hope more branchlines follow suit to GIO.

It’s a shame the Class 1′s are starving some for traffic while GIO would be happy to operate them.
Jacob Patterson

August 30, 2024 at 11:58 pm

Compared to two years ago, or even last year, a number of improvements have been made on the line. More crossing have working lights and bells, and many have been resurfaced. Nice shot, Marcus.

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