Canadian National

CRO AUGUST 2011 JULY 22nd vs 23.0 . CANADIAN NATIONAL

Motive Power:

In early July, GCFX/WC SD40-3 6943 was sold to the Texas Gonzales & Northern Railroad as TXGN #129. Stored GCFX SD40-3 6077 was scrapped at BRC in Chicago, Illinois after deemed non-repairable.

Twelve former GEC-Alstom grey painted SD40-3’s in the GTW 5900- series due to be moved to Western Illinois at the end of their lease, remain at Woodcrest. While stored, a few were vandalized, stripped of their traction motor cables for the copper wiring.

Mike Mautner clicked freshly painted CN C40-8W`s 2162 and 2170 at TRRA Madison Yard, Illinois July 1st. Note they both now sport locomotive class EF-640f lettering below their cab numbers, the first to have this addition. (See Note below)

21702162mikemautner http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=367621&nseq=0

CN ex-BNSF C40-8W roundup:

Wearing full CN Livery with their paint shop: (updated 7/23)

2099 - Centralia 2135 - JULY - Centralia 2136 - Centralia 2138 - Centralia 2141 - Woodcrest 2144 - Centralia 2146 - Centralia 2147 - Woodcrest 2148 - Woodcrest 2151 - Centralia 2152 - Woodcrest 2153 - Centralia 2155 - Centralia 2156 - JULY - Centralia 2157 - Centralia 2161 - Centralia 2162 - JULY - Metro East Industries 2163 - Centralia 2164 - Woodcrest 2165 - JULY - NRE - Dixmoor 2167 - JULY - Quality Rail 2169 - Centralia 2170 - JULY - Metro East Industries 2188 - Centralia 2191 - JULY - Quality Rail 2194 - Woodcrest 2197 - Centralia

Trace locations of CN 2098-2199: (CN ex-UP C40-8, ex-BNSF C40-8W) http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2011/aug11/traceresul ts.htm

Now sporting CN paint, C40-8W’s 2099, 2135, 2153, 2156, 2169, and 2169 may get forwarded to the Toronto Diesel Shop for completion.

Ken Lanovich notes MEI painted C40-8w's 2162 + 2170 have white/grey cab numbers similar to Canadian shops. Ken also noted that 2191 - first of 5 painted by Quality Rail in Madison IL – arrived July 14th in transit @ Woodcrest sans horn. CN 2167 from Quality Rail showed up at Woodcrest July 22nd.

Mike Garza shot 2191 July 14th snoozing near the Woodcrest Load Test building. Mike also spied 2165 within NRE-Dixmoor on July 22nd, this has class stencilling like 2162 + 70 completed by MEI.

GARZA Photo 2191/2165 (attached)

Mike also clicked contract painted CN 2165 at NRE Dixmoor, IL on July 21st. PHOTO

Four C40-8W's remain outsourced for their CN uniforms: 2168 (813). at NRE-Dixmoor (Chicago), and at Quality Rail (Madison, IL) 2176 (827), 2177 (829), and 2193 (858).

CN 2140 and 2171 remain stored at Memphis, TN, both believed to be in need of major mechanical work.

George Redmond bagged three CN C40-8W's fresh from the paint shop at Centralia, IL: 2156 on July 5th, 2169 July 14th, and sister 2135 July 21st, and CN 2135 in July 21st, all taken at the CN engine facility Centralia, IL. CN 2196, with temporary black CN re-markings, sits prepped for her Centralia shop repaint.

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Repainted CN C40-8W 2099, C40-8 2109, and GTW GP38-2 4929 sit around the turntable at the engine facility in Centralia, Il, July 19th. CN 2109 is still waiting on replacement engine parts, and 2099 needs completion of electrical work. The same day George clicked off a tight shot of CN 2156 the latest fresh from the Centralia paint Shop.

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The remaining five BCOL B39-8E's stored at Woodcrest made their way to Fulton, KY on A432 - just as 6 siblings did in mid-June. July 13th Darren Doss captured BC RAIL 3906, 3907, 3903, 3908 and 3905. They’d all return to the "Land of Lincoln" on train 431 July 14th.

On July 14th George Redmond caught BCOL 3905, 3908, 3903, 3907, and 3906 just after their arrival in the Centralia, IL B yards. Following inspection, they have been placed in long-term storage at Centralia. bcrailgr

Mark Forseille pointed out BCOL 3905 appears to have had a nose – job! The nose stripes are now gone and the front headlight is now horizontal, likely repairs following a collision a few years ago. This is how it looked the last time Mark saw BCOL 3905 on April 16th at Port Coquitlam, BC.

On July 13th, Walter Pfefferle Caught CN C40-8 2133 and SD75I 5628 running light through Ingersoll, Ontario. http://railfan.thegrebs.com/CN/CN_2133_5628_Ingersoll_Ont_7_13 _2011

On July 2nd, Michael Harding clicked GTW GP9 4618 heading back to the yard over the Black River after working the local on the industrial branch at Port Huron, Michigan. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=368826&nseq=53 Ron Visockis caught CN GP40-2LW 9454 leading the TestTrain westbound through, Belleville, ON July 19th. The evaluation car was recently repainted and sports new bright safety striping on the rear.

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The same day, Ron snapped CN SD75I 5695 leading #308 eastbound with CEFX GP20D 2013 and 2016 dead-in-tow through Belleville, ON. Destined for the Sept Iles, QC, they will be interchanged from QNS&L to the Arnaud Railway and be added to the four other CEFX GP20D units already on lease.

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CN News:

July was a tough month for CN with several derailments all across the country.

CN train Q10251-10 derailed along the Bala subdivision of the CN main line, near Waterfall, ON, approximately 390 km/240 mi. northwest of Toronto. The incident, which occurred at approximately 0520hrs EDT on July 14th, effected trains running between Toronto and Winnipeg.

CN train G84751-13 derailed along the Bulkley subdivision of CN's northern British Columbia lines near Andimaul, BC (between Smithers, BC, and Terrace, BC). The incident, which occurred at 1619hrs PDT on July 13th, for a time affecting trains operating between Prince George and Prince Rupert, BC.

Here are some incredible images of the roadbed devastation in CN Chetwynd Sub wash out on the former BC RAIL: http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2011/aug11/cnwashou t.htm

On June 30th, cross ties caught fire on the CN Cisco Bridge 10-km south of Lytton BC, temporarily shutting down rail operations. The cause is still being investigated. The location is well known to railfans as both CP and CN mainline bridges crisscross the mighty Thompson River at Siska, BC (see video and photos) http://www.canada.com/NEWS/Lytton+bridge+fire+Cisco+bridge+b urning+photo/5032922/story.html A light snowfall dusts DM&IR shop forces March 10th 2000 at Proctor, MN - with the first of four SD40T-3 rebuilds for the (now CN-owned) Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad. Dave Schauer photographed B&LE 907 and craftsmen outside the Proctor shops. Proctor rebuilt 907-910 for the B&LE using kits from Boise. Today CN does most heavy work at Woodcrest Shop at Homewood IL; only light repair, maintenance and inspections are done at Proctor. The original (as built) EMD SD45T-2 vertical steps are seen on 907. CN Woodcrest Shop did major modifications on the three other B&LE's (900, 904, 906) now in ore country service - these now have offset steps. 907 is scheduled for this safety upgrade and an engine change- out by the Woodcrest mechanical talent. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=322596

In our July CRO CN News section, we posted the sobering photos of former CN Z-1-a #6712, a GE-built Box Cab being cut up for scrap following the Town of Mont Royal Council’s decision in March 2011 to dispose of the historic electric locomotive. This move has raised the ire of many railway enthusiasts and some TMR residents. Beginning in 1914, and up until 1996. CN Z-1-a 6712 provided commuter service north on the electrified line from downtown Central Station under Mount Royal to Deux Montagnes. On retirement it was given to TMR. In selling the locomotive, which was kept stored all these years at the TMR public works yard, Mayor Philippe Roy cited the expense of keeping it properly protected, and needed storage space as reasons for disposing of it. After pieces were salvaged by the CRHA for their own Box Cab, the rest was dismantled in June by D. P. Metal of St- Urban Premier south of Montreal. A sad end for such an historic locomotive that provided so many years service through the Mount Royal Tunnel AKA “Canada’s First Subway”. It had been donated to TMR for future exhibit in the municipality which never guided to fruition. CRO readers sounded off: “This was one of the roots of TMR,” said Avrom Shtern, a member of the Montreal environment group Green Coalition for which he is the transportation critic. “This railway was what led to the creation of this municipality,” added Andrew Dawson, a member of Transport 2000, a public transit group. Shtern maintains that the destroyed locomotive was an important artifact of TMR’s history that should have been preserved. He noted that the City of Deux Montagnes, QC at the other end of the AMT line, display their Box Cab locomotive as entrusted. In June, Charles DeJean clicked these sobering images of the salvage crew at work, after the box cab had been cut in two, with number board still in place and spoked wheels set aside. (thanks to Martin C. Barry and Avrom Shtern) cn6712charliedejean CN VIGNETTES:

OUR AUGUST COVER SHOT: Doug Wingfield captured CNR RS3’s 3004 and 3019 assiting CNR 4-8-4 Northern 6167 up Ferguson Avenue in Hamilton, ON heading south on the Hagersville Sub with a September 30th, 1962 excursion. The diesels will cut off at Rymal at the top of the Niagara escarpment. Interesting street running back then as this line is now gone. The two RS3’s were laying over after arriving on commuter train 921 the Friday evening and departing on #922 the following Monday. Our CRO Archivist John Read actually was aboard this train excursion, and provided the background on Doug’s fine photo.

Cnr3004dougeingfield In June 2006, Rob Eull photographed VIA train 70 meeting CN 271 at Bayview, Ontario with BNSF 9647 leading. This locomotive is painted in the experimental first BNSF scheme which many railfans tagged the “Vomit Bonnet”. PHOTO

In the 1990`s GTW purchased secondhand SD40-2's from the UP. When first in service they were not repainted and only wore a red CN Noodle. Subsequently most were eventually repainted in the CNNA livery. Kevin Piper clicked Armour Yellow and Harbor Mist Gray painted GTW 5934 at the UP yard at Dolton, IL, 7-6-90

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Here's a link to see it in CN paint (Log-in required) http://www.locophotos.com/Phot oDetails.php?PhotoID=96427

CANADIAN PACIFIC

On July 4th, Michael Harding photographed CP 241 at the Thames River bridge Woodstock, Ontario. CP ES44AC 8726 leads CP 9638, CP 5987, CP 5984 and CP 5764, with Pittock Lake in the background. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=368362&nseq=98

Bryant Brooten captured this terrific multi-coloured EMD lash-up the second week of July. SOO SD60 6057, CP SD40-2 6055, SOO SD60 6027, and SD40-2`s DME 6083, CP 5690, and CITX 3054 lead an eastbound CP freight at Belgrade, MN. Bryant added this is one of the few shots he has taken from the north side of the overpass, as it can only be accomplished on long summer mornings, He even got to work the water tower into his shot! rainbowbryantbrooten

Motive Power: Last month, CP contracted Progress Rail in Mayfield, Kentucky to overhaul, rebuild, and repaint of several of their GP38-2 locomotives. CP 3038, 3048, 3066, 3111, and SOO 4446 have been moved dead in tow over CN and PAL (Paducah and Louisville) to destination in Mayfield, KY. SOO GP38-2 4515 currently Bad Order in St. Paul, MN, will also be forwarded to Progress Rail when cleared to move.

CP leased locomotives on the property in July:

CEFX (AC4400CW) 1002, 1006, 1007, 1014, 1018-1020, 1023, 1024, 1026-1059.

CEFX (SD40-2) 2786, 2791, 2797, 2802, 2803, 3109, 3112, 3117, 3120, 3121, 3127, 3128, 3130, 3133, 3137, 3139, 3143, 3145, 3148, 3149, 3151, 3155, 3163, 3164, 3166, 3168, 3172, 3173, 3175, 3176, 3181, 3182, 3183, 3184, and 3188.

CITX (SD40-2) 2783, 2785, 2790, 2792, 2794, 2796, 2799, 2804, 3008, 3024, 3026, 3032, 3035, 3036, 3053-3067, 3070-3075, 3077-3083, 3086, 3088-3092, 3095, 3097-3102, 3110, 3157, 3170, 3177.

NREX (SD40-2) 4403, 5542, 5581, 5661, 5777, 5823, 6301, 6309, 7003, 7212, 7223, 7237, 7246, 7275, 7287, 7349, 7356, 7360, 7370, 7374, 7931, 8092, 8096, 8099, 8401.

HLCX (SD40-2): 6206, 6299, 6340, 6341, 6844, 7003, 7008, 7009, 7161, 7191, 7193, 7205, 7230, 7231, 7233, 8033, 8085, 8089, 8139, 8163, 8176, and JFDX 8045.

On July 7th, Jack Kuiphoff caught ICE SD40-2 6211 with color matched trailing power on ethanol train K674-K675 on the CSX at Gratztown, PA.

Cp375jackkuiphoff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1AytbaWwgY

Ron Visockis clicked CP 5917 leading a pair of assorted SD40-2’s westbound on an empty ethanol train through Trenton, ON July 1st.

Photo is online Bill Sanderson caught (Saratoga & North Creek Railway) SLRG BL-2 52 in transit at Smiths Falls, Ontario on CP train 234, July 14th. The BL-2 is former BAR 52 and was painted in late-June at Metro East Industries in East Saint Louis, Illinois. The handsome livery appears to be inspired by the 1940’s-era EMD demonstrator scheme, and the paint colors intentionally match D&H blue and grey.

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Walter caught CP 241 with SOO SD60M 6059 leading HLCX SD40-2 8085 through Woodstock ON July 20th.

In October 2008, CP acquired 55 SD40-2's (1 wrecked - stored unserviceable) when they bought the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern. Although it's likely that others have appeared at Alyth Diesel Shop in Calgary since then, IC&E SD40-2 6421, 'City of Emmetsburg', is the first one that Cor van Steenis had seen there. It was built at EMD Lagrange in 1980 as UP 3722; acquired by IC&E in 2003; and was entered into the CP Roster in 2008.

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After sitting at Assiniboia, SK for three weeks and through three severe rain storms waiting on CP's Expanse Sub to be fully reopened, Prairie Mines and Royalty Ltd PRMX SD40-2 6973 was on the move in July. July 6th Cor van Steenis clicked PRMX 6973 at Alyth Yard while in transit on CP from Poplar River, SK., and destined to Progress Rail in Tacoma, WA, for repairs and rebuilding. It is one of two locomotives that haul coal from Sherrit's mine at Poplar River, near Coronach, deep in southern Saskatchewan, the 12 miles to SaskPower's power plant, which produces one-third of the electricity in Saskatchewan.

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On July 4th, Marc Forseille caught a rare bird in Coquitlam, BC in a CPRS SD40-2 that had been D&H (Saratoga, NY) assigned and modified for its unique New York City run. Several years ago, CPRS 5677 had its front plow and pilot tweaked to clear the 3rd rail in electrified territory the CSX line navigates over. Mark also noted, there are very few CP SD40-2's remaining on the roster in the 5500 or 5600 class series. Bruce Chapman tallied all of the 5500-5600’s that are left: STLH 5560, STLH 5593; STLH 5615, STLH 5651, CP 5583, 5612, 5648, 5687 in service, plus some D&H NYC units in service at Saratoga: 5671, 5672, 5677, 5690, 5698 with tied-up 5697; and the tied-up Canadian ones are 5573 and 5691.

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In 1980, CP began a 10-year remanufacturing program on their GP9`s. One of the modifications was to reconfigure the rear of the long hood to form a larger sanding reservoir. This major modification for extra sand-carrying capacity was soon deemed not cost effective and cancelled for the remainder of the GP9u rebuilds. In all, only nine GP9u’s received the modification: 1512-1515, 1691 and 8200-8203. CP 1512 was the very first unit to come out of the remanufacturing program and sported a full conversion from deck to the top of its hood, with a centred (single) rear number board installed. The other eight were given a scaled-back version which extended from the deck to just below the rear number boards, thus leaving the original GP9 number boards in place. (Bill Sanderson) cp1512billsanderson

The CPR “Royal Pacific Express”

History: On June 28th 1886, the first CPR 'Pacific Express' departed downtown Montreal from Dalhousie Square Station destined for the Pacific coast, and the first transcontinental passenger train across Canada. It arrived in the Town of Calgary on Dominion Day with much fanfare and under a fireworks display. One has to imagine that an event like this would have drawn many of the town's population of 1000 or so to the CPR station. The train continued on to Port Moody, B.C., then the end of track, arriving there 5 days and 19 hours after leaving Montreal, on 04 July 1886, behind CPR 4-4-0 # 371, which had hauled the 6 car train on the last leg of its journey from North Bend, B.C.

125 Years Later: CPR operates a passenger special, Train No. 31B-02, named the 'Royal Pacific Express', to mark the 125th anniversary of that first transcontinental train. The train departed Calgary on 02 July 2nd, 2011 just after 09:00h westbound with 4 tuscan and gray diesels and 18 cars, Business Car 'Mount Stephen' bringing up the markers. The train was a private charter that is scheduled to arrive on the Pacific coast (Port Coquitlam) on July 4th. It stopped in Banff for 3 hours and also in Lake Louise for about a half hour before heading on to Golden for the first night's layover. The consist on this run was: CP 4107, 4106, 3084, 1900, Generator 96, H.B. Bowen, Coach 103, Baggage 99 (Archives Display), Coach 104, Dominion, Ernest 'Smoky' Smith, Baggage 100 (Observation), Mount Royal, Generator 95, Killarney, N.R. Crump, Banffshire, Strathcona, Van Horne, Royal Wentworth, Craigellachie and Mount Stephen. Cor van Steenis photographed the train at several locations and made for a special Canada Day weekend!

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With the 'Royal Pacific Express' run from Calgary to the Pacific coast marked the 125th anniversary of the first transcontinental passenger train, Cor had the opportunity to photograph the heritage liveried motive power at Banff, AB. He also spoke with one of the CPR crew. Cor inquired why the CP FP9A units #4106 and 4107 were not idling when stopped at Banff; and shut down. The crew indicated that these units had 'SmartStart' technology installed, a microprocessor which allows the locomotives to shut down and start up on pre-set (setable) parameters (ambient temperature and such) resulting in fuel savings and total emissions reductions. (This is now standard on most of CP’s fleet). During 2004-2005 the SRY (Southern Railway of British Columbia) conducted evaluation tests on two locomotives with this technology installed resulting in a 26% and 31% reduction in fuel used over two years. The payback period was nine months (supply and installation cost for two units was $30,400; fuel savings was $39,000). In colder climate conditions, the benefits would be expected to be reduced somewhat.

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During July and August these four Canadian Pacific Railway “Heritage” diesels are expected to be substituting for the CPR Empress steam locomotive, sidelined June 24th after a crack was found on the axle of the rear drivers during a routine wheel inspection on return from Golden, BC. It is unclear how long the engine will be down, as its shop forces must fabricate a part. The engine was in the middle of a two-month tour of the Canadian Rockies and prairies, and raising money for the “Children’s Wish Foundation” and the “Friends of Yoho National Park”.

Andy Cassidy clicked the CPR “Royal Pacific Express” July 4th with CP FP9A 4107-4106, GP38-2 3084 and F9B 1900 West arriving at Coquitlam (BC) Yard, Mile 110.2, on the CP Cascade Sub.

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Likely many will be envious of Ralph Beaumont who was fortunate to win (in an auction in support of the Revelstoke Railway Museum) , for a cab ride in 2816 over Rogers Pass from Golden to Revelstoke, BC! The bad news is 2816 ended up with a cracked axle, but the good news is Ralph was able to ride the cab of F unit 4107 and the views he aught were spectacular. The CP engineer was Chris Blakely and Ralph took shots in Albert Canyon, with the bridge shot being on the east side of the pass at Mountain Creek. He tried getting a decent shot at Stoney Creek Bridge, but when you're travelling westbound, the trees have grown too high to do it justice. He submitted this additional photo taken a couple weeks later from the tail end riding on the Mount Royal CPR business car passing through the tunnels at Eagle Pass.

Cabrideralphbeaumont After photographing the CPR 'Royal Pacific Express' July 3rd, Cor waited at Morant's Curve for the “Rocky Mountaineer” in hopes to catch it the new RMR livery. Cor was not disappointed as in spite of the consist arriving in the original colour scheme he got terrific shots of the train. He also clicked their leased genset NREX # 2020, (built new in Sep 2008) as a trailing locomotive.

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A. J. Shewan submitted several photos of the train between Kamloops and Hope, BC “The Empress” CPR 4-6-4 Hudson #2816 was supposed to lead but had to remain in Calgary due to a crack discovered on the axle on one of the large driver wheels. http://www.pbase.com/ashewan/recents

Cor van Steenis compiled this list of the nine heritage passenger cars stored at Ogden are:

CPR # 3622 MAIL & EXPRESS CAR (built 1947 as CP Mail-Express 3622) CPR # 404092 WORK SERVICE CAR - SUTHERLAND CABLE & BLOCK CAR (built 1952 as CP Baggage-Express # 4723) CPR # 404910 WORK SERVICE CAR - WINNIPEG TOOL & CABLE CAR (built 1920 as CP Baggage-Express # 4365) CPR # 404937 WORK SERVICE CAR - CALGARY CABLE CAR built 1948 as CPR Baggage-Express # 4225) CPR # 70 BUSINESS CAR 'ASSINIBOINE' (built 1929; built by Canadian Pacific as ASSINIBOINE) CPR # 76 BUSINESS CAR 'SHAUGHNESSY' (built in 1917 by Pullman/CP as the private car "CROMARTY" for J.K.L Ross) CPR # 80 ARCHIVES DISPLAY CAR (built 1949 as CPR Horse Express Car # 4560) CPR # 81 ARCHIVES DISPLAY CAR (built 1949 as CPR Horse Express Car # 4565) CPR # 83 BUSINESS CAR 'LACOMBE' (built 1921 as 10 Compartment Sleeper GLEN ROY)

The three Heritage locomotives currently stored at Ogden are:

CPR FP9A # 1400 (shell) FM H16-66 # 7009 (privately owned) CP CPA 16-4 # 4104 (privately owned)

Cor took this shot of CPR Business Car #76 'SHAUGHNESSY' which was built in 1917 by Pullman and CP as private car "CROMARTY". shaughnessycvs

CP VIGNETTES:

BILL BAIRD Sr. 1920-2006 Photo

My father William Baird Sr. guided me greatly in our mutual passion of railway locomotives. As a boy, we experienced many railfan experiences together at Kings Cross, Euston and Paddington Stations in London, England, and as a teen at Westmount Station & Glen Yard in Montreal, Frontier Yard, Bison Yard, and D&H S.K. Yard in Buffalo, NY, Rigby Yard in Portland, ME and in later years at Leaside Station (Toronto) CP Agincourt Yard, and mostly at and CP St-Luc Yard in Montreal. See my Glen Yard Memories here: LINK

Over the years I learned which were his favourite locomotives: all the CP FA2, FP7A, SD9043MAC, and C424 models, Boston & Maine GP9’s (painted blue with white and black ends), New Haven FL9’s, D&H PA’s, and sleek NYC Cigar Band livery E8’s.

My Dad passed away at his home in Niagara Falls on August 2006 and in his memory, I have included a photo (via J.P Cadieux with thanks) of his favourite Canadian Pacific locomotive; the CPR 4-4-4 3000- series “Jubilee” Class. The photo shows one of these beautiful streamlined speedsters at Westmount “Glen Yard” in the 1950’s, showing the spot where years later my dad and I would spend many evenings in the late 1960’s and 1970’s watching D&H PA’s, CPR E8’s, FA-2’s, FP7A’s, FP9A’s and RS10’s. Note those great looking solid large high-stepping drivers, handsome chrome plating on the pilot, and take in all of the details in mastermind H.B. Bowen brilliant styling! I agree with my Dad … This steam locomotive is perfection!

Cp3003 Note the differences between CPR F9B 1900 taken by the late Roger Boisvert in Trois-Rivieres QC in 1955, and current CPR F9B 1900 taken by Andy Cassidy in 2011. The 1955 version of the GP9B purchased new from GMDD by CPR. The 2011 version of CPR F9B 1900 is ex-Nebkota Railroad 6612, nee-CN 6612. (via Ron Visockis)

VIA RAIL CANADA Senior VIA News Editor Tim Hayman VIA News Editor Terry Muirhead: [email protected]

While Americans enjoyed their 4th of July celebrations, it was just another workday in Canada. Michael Harding clicked the evening train from Toronto westbound on the CN Dundas Sub at Ingersoll Ontario, with VIA F40PH-2 6445 wearing one of the two Coors Light Silver Bullet express wraps on the point. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=367810

Walter Pfefferle caught the VIA 6445 in Ingersoll as well on July 9th: http://railfan.thegrebs.com/VIA/VIA_6445_Ingersoll_7_9_2011

Collision damaged VIA P42DC 903 has been repaired and repainted into Renaissance green livery and photographed at VIA MMC July 3rd along with VIA F40PH-3 6406, about to enter the Maintenance Shop for inspection.

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Walter Pfefferle caught repaired 903 back in service powering VIA 76 through Ingersoll, ON July 11th. http://railfan.thegrebs.com/VIA/VIA_76_903_Ingersoll_Ont_7_11_2 011

On July 9th Steve Boyko noted the entire consist, and photographed VIA #1 led by a trio of F40’s, each in a different livery. Steve shot “The Canadian” outside Winnipeg, MB on the south track at Mile 10.0 of the CN Rivers Sub.

VIA 6414 VIA 6453 VIA 6452 VIA 8208 Chateau Dollier VIA 8613 VIA 8116 VIA 8137 VIA 8515 VIA 8408 Empress VIA 8505 VIA 8334 Macdonald Manor VIA 8322 Drummond Manor * VIA 8308 Bliss Manor VIA 8312 Butler Manor VIA 8302 Allan Manor VIA 8301 Abbot Manor VIA 8202 Chateau Bienville VIA 8502 VIA 8409 Fairholme VIA 8325 Elgin Manor VIA 8333 Lorne Manor VIA 8311 Burton Manor VIA 8703 Banff Park

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An Internal VIA Rail News Release stated that during 2013 a new $10 Bill will be minted with the back of the note will feature VIA's Flagship "The Canadian”.

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GO TRANSIT & AMT COMMUTER

AMT - Agence Metropolitaine de Transport AMT news editor Jean-François Turcotte: [email protected]

As of July 4th Châteauguay buses began transporting downtown Montreal-bound passengers to a South Shore AMT commuter train station, instead of being forced to cross the traffic-clogged Mercier Bridge to the Angrignon Métro station on the island of Montreal. Authorities also appear close to opening a new commuter-train station in Kahnawake to shuttle people from the Mohawk community and other Mercier-trapped areas to and from Montreal. But many barriers remain to a long-term public-transit solution for the region southwest of the half-closed Mercier – a region that’s home to more than 110,000 people. It does not look like a long-discussed commuter train service between downtown Montreal and Beauharnois will be restored soon. As well the Châteauguay bus shuttles to the train are a temporary measure while two of Mercier’s four lanes are closed; once they reopen, the shuttles may disappear.

Here’s what is and isn’t being done for cities southwest of Montreal Island: Six rush-hour buses daily – three morning, three afternoon – run between Châteauguay’s bus terminal and the Ste. Catherine train station. From there, commuters can ride the Agence métropolitaine de transport’s Candiac line to Montreal. The shuttle is free; the train is not. Until now, buses would take passengers only to the Angrignon métro, across the Mercier. That’s because if Châteauguay buses served AMT stations, the city of Châteauguay would have to pay a portion of the Candiac line’s operating costs, something the city is trying to avoid. Under AMT rules, if a city’s residents make up more than seven per cent of a line’s ridership, that city must pay a share of its operating costs. The AMT, a provincial agency, pays 60 per cent of the train’s operating costs. The remaining 40 per cent comes from municipalities served. For example, if half a line’s population comes from one city, that city must pay half of the 40 per cent that comes from municipalities.

AMT temporarily suspended service on the Deux-Montagnes line on the July 1-2-3 extended weekend, allowing workers to complete two temporary track deviations at Jct de l'Est, where the electrified Deux- Montagnes line subdivision intersects with the St-Laurent subdivision. A picture of the unfinished track layout appeared in the July CRO issue.

The deviations allow AMT and CN to maintain service while digging a steep-graded trench to carry the Deux-Montagnes subdivision below the St-Laurent. AMT's Deux-Montagnes line is the most heavily used on the system, carrying up to 30000 riders per weekday. CN's St- Laurent subdivision is a secondary mainline carrying 6 to 10 daily freight movements and 6 weekly VIA trains."

GO TRANSIT GO news editor Daniel Dell’Unto:

GO F59PH 564 was noted freshly refurbished outside the VIA Toronto Maintenance Centre shops shops in July. Identical to the previous rebuilds (units 558, 559, 561, 562), it was never refitted with an electronic bell and has kept its original mechanical bell. GO is keeping some of its later GMD F59PH units, its fleet of which has largely been retired and sold off due to new MPI MP40PH-3C deliveries.

New GO Bombardier bilevel deliveries have been progressing. This order is for regular coaches from 2753-2768, and a single cab coach car 254. They will be identical to the previous orders from GO which include slightly updated seats, powered end doors and LED exterior platform door lights.

The City of North Bay ON and Ontario Northland employees are pushing the province to review the awarding of a recent $120-million GO bilevel refurbishing contract to CADRail in Lachine, Quebec: http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3207001

After many months of delays, the Toronto Transit Commission expects the first of their new Bombardier Toronto Rocket subway trains to officially enter service on Thursday, July 21st.

CANADIAN LOCOMOTIVE SHOPS

CADRAIL / RB Recycling – Lachine, QC:

Global Railway Industries Limited announced in July the sale of subsidiary CAD Railway Industries, to a consortium of managers as 2290693 Ontario Inc. This company is controlled by Mr. Fausto Levy, Global, and the President and CEO of Cadrail. The value of this transaction is approximately $12.9 Million CDN.

Located in Lachine, QC, Cadrail has an ideal location to do business with both a CP and CN interchange track. However the drawback is the facility has no where to expand, and as business is good they are often pressed for storage space. As needed, locomotives for contract repairs can be held in Montreal (CP St-Luc Yard, CN Taschereau Yard, and AMP in Pointe St-Charles), waiting for an opening.

In July, CADRAIL were awarded the contract to refurbish 127 GO Transit commuter coaches. Cadrail and Ontario Northland Railway competed fiercely for this contract and in mid-July we learned ONR employees and the City of North Bay are pushing the Ontario Provincial Government to review the awarding of the contract to a Quebec-based company.

Michael Berry noted the following locomotives at the CADRAIL facility on July 9th: CEFX GP40-3 6537 in blue with white trim, HLCX SD40-2 7161, SOO SD60’s 6040, 6041, and 6050. CAD shop switcher RS18u 1825 was parked outside the shop and inside was CEFX SD40- 2 3117, which has been at CAD for four months. cadrailmichaelberry

Industrial Rail Services ( IRSI) – Moncton, NB

Not available.

NRE – Capreol, ON:

Noted at NRE in July were SOPOR GP38AC 4998 (ex-GTW 4998) as well as CN ES44DC 2271 and R&S GP38-2 63.

GreenRailNews.com “Green” Locomotive Roundup Edited by Jody Moore http://www.greenrailnews.com

ELECTRO-MOTIVE DIESEL (EMD Inc.) (By Don McQueen)

Summary of EMDI deliveries during June - July 2011:

During the month of June, at least seven new units were reported shipped from London.

All were in order 20106395 for Ferromex SD60ACes. FXE 4044-4050, were delivered to CN London East for furtherance to UP’s Proviso Yard

On July 15th Geoff Williams clicked QNS&L 508 and 511 on test track at EMDI in London, Ontario.

Qnslgeoffwilliams

On July 16th, Walter Pfefferle caught one of the brand new SD700Ace locomotives ordered by Union Pacific.

Emdlondon SHORTLINES REGIONALS & INDUSTRIALS

WESTERN:

Mark Perry submitted these shots of former BNSF GP9 1685 on the Prairie Dog Central on June 29th and 30th working freight cars between Lilyfield (Outskirts of Winnipeg) and Grosse Isle, Manitoba. The historic Canadian-built GP9 was donated by BNSF last year. prairedogmarkperry On July 2nd, Jesse Acorn photographed Alberta Prarie's steam engine #41 back in service near Stettler, AB after being sidelined for all of last year's season. albertajesseacorn

Mark Forseille submitted these fine shots of Southern Railway of British Columbia (Railink) GP9`s photographed in New Westminster, BC June 12th. Mother unit SRY 135 is paired with the cab control unit (Slug) SRY 121.

Srymarkforseille

The newest arrival and wearing fresh paint in July, SRY GP9u 128, (Former CP 1583) is seen working the yard in New Westminster, BC paired with SRY 122.

Sry128mf

The first week of July, Mark Forseille clicked former CP SD40-2 5696, now (J&L Consulting) JLCX 5696 in New Westminster, BC. Repainted in a SOO-like red with white handrails, she will be lettered JLCX 5696. As well, ex-CP GP9u 1689 is now Black River 1889, and was inside the SRY shop in mid-July jlcxmarkforseille

ONTARIO:

Walter caught OSR 378 and 383, a pair of ex SOO GP7’s switching out some hopper cars in Beachville, Ontario on a hot 38C day, July 21st.

Osrbeachwep http://railfan.thegrebs.com/OSR/OSR_378_OSR_383_Beachville_7_ 21_2011 On July 15th OSRX GP7 383, 378 and 182 RS18u arrive in Woodstock Ontario with their version of an ethanol train, 20 tank cars from Tillsonburg. http://railfan.thegrebs.com/OSR/OSR_383_378_182_Woodstock_O nt_7_15_2011

After much hard work and many long hours a team of dedicated volunteers at the Hunstville and Lake of Bays Railway managed to get HLBR 0-4-0T #2 back in steam and hauling passengers on Canada Day as per schedule, missing only the first run of the day due to a balky compressor. Wayne D. Shaw submitted his photo of the Portage Flyer approaching Fairy Lake Station on its second day of operations in three years. The coaches were both built in 1894 as horse-drawn trolleys before being acquired by the Huntsville and Lake of Bays Railway which opened in 1904 as the final link in a steamboat operation linking the North Muskoka Lakes - Vernon, Mary, Fairy, Peninsula and Lake of Bays. The lakes could be navigated by water with locks between Fairy and Mary Lakes and a canal between Fairy and Peninsula, but a high ridge of rocks between Peninsula and Lake of Bays necessitated the building of this short 1 & 1/8th mile line that included a switchback and an average gradient of 3% with one section of a whopping 7%. Before this 21-ton MLW 0-4-0T and it's 17-ton sister (both built in 1926) were obtained the grueling job was handled by 2 little wood-burning Porters that could barely make the grades, and it wasn't unheard of for passengers to have to detrain and help push the train over the hill! Wayne Shaw also did a 4 hour stint as fireman on her and joked, “No air conditioning except for the warm 10MPH- breeze while in motion. Thankfully the locomotive was converted from coal to oil-burning, so it’s not too bad a job at all!” This may be the only operating steam locomotive in Ontario at this point in time. huntsvillewdshaw http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=367956

ONR news: Nipissing MPP, the Honourable Monique Smith, was joined by Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) Chair Ted Hargreaves along with President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Goulet to advise the ONTC staff of the approval of funding for the refurbishment of the Polar Bear Express. The refurbishment will dramatically improve the travelling experience for residents and visitors. The project involves the complete refurbishment of the Polar Bear Express cars, and is worth approximately $10 million dollars. The project will result in the existing workforce having work for approximately four months. Refurbishment of 10 coaches will involve the removal of four coaches at a time from service for a complete overhaul. They will be replaced in-service by leased coaches. The coaches currently in use are 45 years old and have deteriorated significantly. The project will begin in September. The Polar Bear Express is a vital link connecting Moosonee and Moose factory and James Bay communities with Cochrane and destinations south. The province is providing $10 million over two years to support this initiative and the refurbished coaches will have an expected life of 15 years.

Onrcoachmikerobin www.onrgallery.com (Mike Robin – CRO ONR News Editor)

Will, my friend Steve Host has sent some recent information on Guelph Historical Railway Association goings-on for the upcoming August CRO, I've typed up blurbs about it below (last run of the Guelph Junction Express, and the GHRA's ex-CP caboose restoration).

In conjunction with the Guelph Historical Railway Association, Saturday August 13th, 2011 will be the final running of the Guelph Junction Express tour train. The train will go out in style: operating a rare-mileage trip over all of the Guelph Junction Railway's trackage. Photo run-bys, an Ontario Southland Railway shop and equipment tour and historical displays will also be included. For more information, see the GHRA flyer: http://www.ghra.ca/newsletter/2011/raremiles_2011.pdf

The Guelph Historical Railway Association is also progressing on the restoration of their wood-sheathed former Canadian Pacific Railway caboose 436994 (or "van" as per common Canadian railway terminology). Attached are photos showing the progress replacing the wood siding, one of the many restoration tasks GHRA members and volunteers are doing to their caboose. http://www.ghra.ca/restoration/

QUEBEC:

A new CSX intermodal bid is now seeking federal approval. (See link) http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2011/aug11/csxfrankj olin.pdf

Bound for Montreal, CSX SD50`s 8634 - 8198 lead train CN326/CSXQ621 across the Beauhanois Canal (St. Lawrence Seaway) at Valleyfield, QC on April 13th, 2010 (Frank Jolin).

Csxfrankjolin At CN Belleville, Ontario July 19th, Ron Visockis caught CEFX GP20D 2013 that was soon to head eastbound with sibling 2016 via CN to Montreal. Both are destined for interchange from QNSL to the Arnaud Railway at Sept Iles, QC to join the four others already there.

Cefx2013rv

Denis Fortier caught Charlevoix Railway RS-18u 1868 in Clermont, Québec one of two which will be used on the tourist train to Le Massif. RS18u 1821 and 1868 are now both in work train service to prepare the former CN line for new tourist service in the Fall,

1868denisfortier

EASTERN:

On July 5th, Michael Berry caught HLCX GP38-3 906 and 911 (ex- Union Pacific) trailing CN 5659 and 8821 as the CN eastbound had stopped for a crew change at St-Henri, Quebec on the Montreal Sub. These units are destined for interchange to New Brunswick Southern (NBSR) for lease to the NBR for service on Maine Northern Railway Company. HLCX 913 and 917 are still to come. As of July 11th, HLCX GP38-3 906 and 911 had arrived on the New Brunswick Southern Railway, and both are now in service.

Hlcxmichaelberry

CRO MONTHLY PHOTO CONTEST .

MODELLER'S CORNER (Edited by Mike Pebesma)

CP RS18 CN RS18 PHOTO

Announcements and Updates

Rapido Trains has indicated on their Facebook page that the next locomotive project will be an MLW FPA-4 and FPB-4! Also check out their website for photos of the Park series dome-observation for the forthcoming Canadian. www.rapidotrains.com

Canadian National's class of FPA-4s were built by the Montreal Locomotive works between 1958 and 1959. They replaced steam locomotives on mainline passenger runs and many survived into VIA Rail ownership. On March 25th, 1972, the Ontario Rail Association used #6762 to run a special train from Toronto to the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival. While the special was at Elmira, a Kinsmen "Sugar- bush Express" shuttle from Kitchener arrived hauled by FP9 #6536 with #6758 on the rear. (Photo by Michael Taylor with thanks)

Manny Jacobs is taking orders for an HO detail kit to model Via Rails’ rebuilt F40 PH locomotives. The kit will include a fret of etched stainless steel detail parts (similar to the one previously released for the as-built F40’s) and a resin portion for the new cabinet built on the rear platform. To make a reservation, contact Manny through his website at http://www.execulink.com/~railbus/

Walthers has released three new HO scale ready-to-run passenger cars decorated for a variety of roads including a 73’ Pullman-Standard baggage car available painted for Canadian National.

A delivery date of January 2012 has also been announced for several Walthers HO products including Platinum Line Difco dump cars with roadnames including British Columbia Railway and CP Rail. Also due is an HO scale model of an Evans 50’ boxcar which will be available decorated for Canadian National, www.walthers.com

CANADIAN RAILWAY HISTORY On July 15th, Cor van St5eenis drove out to Mossleigh, AB, (MP 14-15 on the abandoned CPR Lomond Spur),and photographed this historic railway equipment.Mossleigh is a hamlet about 65 km SE of Calgary and has a population of 47. There are still three (now privately owned) grain elevators along the old line; the elevators were built in 1930 when the CPR line from Arrowwood to Eltham went into operation (it was abandoned in 1999). As well there is Aspen Crossing (http://www.aspencrossing.com/default.htm), a garden centre and 85 stall campground with some interesting railway equipment, some recently aquired (such as a GE 45 Ton Switcher), some recently restored and some about to be restored. The oldest piece is an 1887 Pullman SP Official Car (and later a CNR Business Car) that is now a dining car, acquired in 2006 (it was a part of the Sidetrack Cafe in Edmonton until then). Images are attached. If anyone has any provenance information about the 'shorty' caboose that will be undergoing restoration, we would be pleased to hear from you. Apparently Aspen Crossing has acquired a number of CPR heritage cars that have been removed from CPR's Ogden Yard in Calgary this past winter. These cars are not yet on site but are currently stored on the Aldersyde Subdivision. Historycorvansteenis

EXPORAIL (CRHA):

YDHR: www.ydhr.ca

In conjunction with the Guelph Historical Railway Association, Saturday August 13th, 2011 will be the final running of the Guelph Junction Express tour train. The train will go out in style: operating a rare-mileage trip over all of the Guelph Junction Railway's trackage. Photo run-bys, an Ontario Southland Railway shop and equipment tour and historical displays will also be included. For more information, see the GHRA flyer: http://www.ghra.ca/newsletter/2011/raremiles_2011.pdf

The Guelph Historical Railway Association is also progressing on the restoration of their wood-sheathed former Canadian Pacific Railway caboose 436994 (or "van" as per common Canadian railway terminology). Attached are photos showing the progress replacing the wood siding, one of the many restoration tasks GHRA members and volunteers are doing to their caboose. (via Steve Host with thanks) http://www.ghra.ca/restoration/

Add your HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION or GROUP:

If you are a member of a Museum, Tourist Railway, or Historical Group and have news and photos you would like to post in our CANADIAN RAILWAY HISTORY column, you may contact the Editor. The information must be approved and authorized to post, and be pertinent and of interest to our readers. All posts must follow our CRO Submission Guidelines, located on our home page. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/ Contact William Baird: [email protected] SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Apparently it’s destined for a new tourist operation run by Iowa Pacific Holdings that’s to begin operation sometime this month, apparently to replace the old Upper Hudson River Railroad and operate over the same portion of track. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a BL2 in the flesh – anyone know it’s heritage? It has obviously just been painted – looks a little like the D&H!

Jay Butler caught (Saratoga & North Creek Railway) SLRG BL-2 52 in transit on CP 240 on July 12th sandwiched between CEFX 1058 and CP 6021. at at Haycroft, Ontario (mile 88 ).Windsor Sub. The BL-2 (Ex-BAR 52) was repainted in late-June at Metro East Industries in East Saint Louis, Illinois in an EMD First Generation-inspired livery and enroute to the SLRG a new tourist / freight railway in upstate New York owned by Iowa Pacific Holdings. So far they have two locomotioves there, as well as two coaches and two dome cars. The 60-mile railway line operates on part of the former Delaware & Hudson North Creek branch and connects with CP at Saratoga, NY. It is to begin operation in late July this month, and will replace the old Upper Hudson River Railroad, operating over some of the same track.

Slrg52jaybutler

Here is how this BL2 locomotive looked in Bangor and Arooststook Railroad as BAR 52 in a dark blue dip and riding silver Blomberg trucks. .

Bangor52rv

ALCo locomotives of the former operator, Upper Hudson River Railroad, rest beside the S&NC shop in North Creek, NY. Former Staten Island Ry. S3 number 821 is privately owned, and is being leased for use as the terminal switcher in Saratoga Springs. Behind it sits former ALCo plant switcher number 5, an S1 that will be seeing infrequent use as a terminal switcher in North Creek when needed.

Old meets new: relatively new ex-Long Island C1 car SLRG 3007 peeks out from between the 1872-built freight and passenger depots in North Creek, NY. The former freight depot is now the S&NC's passenger depot, while the former passenger depot (where Theodore Roosevelt found out he was President of the United States in the wee hours of Sept. 14, 1901) now houses a museum.

A rarity, in a rare surrounding. Saratoga & North Creek 52, a 1949- built EMD BL2, sits on the turntable in North Creek. The unit was originally built for the Bangor and Aroostook in Maine, and founds its way to Janesville, WI before being purchased by Iowa Pacific and renovated by Metro East Industries in East St. Louis, IL. The unit has a little more work to be completed before it is put into service on the S&NC. Eventually, the 52 will be joined by former BAR 56, which is also being reworked by MEI. SLRG 8524 hauls newly received BL2 number 52 north over the high bridge over the Sacandaga River near Hadley, NY. Below the railroad bridge is a very rare Lenticular Arch bridge that carries Old Corinth Road over the river. That span was built in 1885, and refurbished in 2006.

SLRG 8524, a former LMX GE B39-8 of the same number, provides the backbone of the motive power roster. The unit was built in 1987, and is seen in D&H-inspired Saratoga & North Creek livery at the shared railroad station in Saratoga Springs, NY. The second shot is was taken in mid July at Corinth, NY.

PHOTO Slrgjodymoore

A view of the Hudson River from onboard the train near Thurman, NY Photo

On June 28th Kevin Burkholder photographed former CN GP40-2LW 9436 a RAILAMERICA unit relettered Toledo, Peoria & Western 4053. NECR local train 600-28 is switching cars with the TP&W GP40-2W 4053 NECR White River Jct. Vermont.

PHOTO http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=368630

Running short on crew time, the New England Central (NECR) 324-13 rolls past mile 29 with NECR SD40 6281, NECR GP38 3847, and FEC GP40-3 437. Kevin took this shot July 14th at Sharon, VT on the NECR Roxbury Subdivision

6281kevinburkholder http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=368874

George Redmond captured an eastern delegate in the CN yard at DuQuoin IL July 22nd. INRD 2543 is the lone CF7 on the Indiana Railroad's roster - born Santa Fe F7A 46C in October 1952.

Indianagr

Marc Malnekoff captured the Rock Island Express, led by the AMTK 156 heritage loco, July 21st at Hinsdale, IL

STEAM gathering in the Quad Cities. Marc Malnekoff captured the Rock Island Express, led by the AMTK 156 heritage loco, with classic Milwaukee Road coaches July 21st at Hinsdale, IL, bound for the Quad Cities

Marc also took this shot of NKP 765's journey west at Kentland IN - just east of the Indiana/Illinois border. Train was halted for hours due to 100ºF temps - the railroad virtually shut down. PHOTO

LaCrosse WI photographer Dennis Weber captured CP coke empties train 801 July 14th near Donehower, MN heading back to the Twin Cities suburb of Roseport, MN.

Csx7685dennisweber

LaCrosse, WI photographer Dennis Weber captured CP coke empties train 801 July 14th near Donehower, MN heading back to the Twin Cities suburb of Roseport. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2631117

On July 14th, repainted Metra F40 134 was released from the Progress Rail Shop in Mayfield KY.

Mike Garza shot IAIS Gp38-2 and slug 651 in the Blue Island Burr Oak yard in Riverdale, IL July 20th.

PHOTO AUTO-TRAIN Corporation Vignettes: During the 1970`s, the Auto-Train operated special passenger trains on Seaboard Cost Line and Richmond Fredricksburg & Potomac trackage. The ATC used its own rolling stock for the unique rail transportation service for both passengers and their automobiles, operating scheduled service between Washington, DC and Orlando, Florida. The equipment of the Auto-Train Corporation was painted in red, white, and purple colors. The typical train was equipped with two or three U23B`s, 75 ft (22.86 m) auto carriers, streamlined passenger4 cars and full length dome cars. ATC`s new service began operations on December 6, 1971. The service was a big hit with travelers. Before long, the ambitious entrepreneurs of Auto-Train were looking to expand into other markets. However, only the Washington to Orlando, FL service proved successful. Auto-Train's first auto carriers were acquired used, and started life in the 1950s as an innovation of CN. The CN bi-level autorack cars had end-doors. They were huge by the standards of the time; each 75- footer could carry 8 vehicles. The cars were a big success and helped lead to the development of today's enclosed autoracks. The former CN autoracks were augmented by new tri-level versions in 1976. High crew costs, and two two spectacular accidents forced the ATC into bankruptcy in late April, 1981. Operating for almost 10 years, Auto-Train had developed a popular following, particularly among older travelers as it ferried passengers and their cars between Virginia and Florida. After its demise, no one else offered a service quite like that which Auto-Train had: transport a car and its passengers together (on the same movement, at the same time) to and from vacation areas autotrainjimparker

ON THE ROAD

LETTERS:

Thank you Will (and your team), for posting my VIA book banner ad on CRO. Not sure exactly when you posted it, but I've already had 41 pageviews on my book blog as of this morning. The ad looks great and is obviously working. In return, I just added a blog post aboutCRO. I enjoy CRO each month, and there's so much news in there that I have to reserve some time where I can properly view, digest and enjoy it each month. And yes, I think there is still room in the Canadian marketplace for electronic and print media.

Good job, and thanks again very much.

Eric Gagnon, Trackside with VIA http://newviarailbook.blogspot.com/2011/07/welcome-cro- readers.html

From the Editor:

In memory of my Father Bill Baird Sr. (1920-2006) PHOTO

I would like to share this fond memory as a boy railfaning with my father in the mid-1970’s in Buffalo, NY. We were enjoying a June afternoon trackside on the Penn Central mainline at the west end of Frontier Yard. At peak times, eastbound and westbound freights would arrive one after the other and pull up and stop right on the mainline for a crew change. (The tail end caboose would be reached via the crew truck (an yellow-orange painted Suburban with a green, white and black PC logo on the doors). With a new crew, the engineer would waste no time, throttle up through transition, and highball out of town! My Dad and I would share this thrilling railfan experience for many years, and enjoy and discuss some of the wonderful diesels we had seen. One day just as we were leaving Frontier Yard to head back home to Canada, a PC e/b freight with fresh crew had caught up to us as we drove along Broadway, and we paced a Penn Central SD45 and Alco C630 for a stretch. I clearly recall the excitement I was feeling, the roar, the exhaust blasting above the all-black units, and watching the springs bounce in those six-axle truck sideframes over the jointed track. The train was soon at track speed and passing ahead of our car bound for Selkirk Yard. While being child-like disappointed my Dad could not keep pace the speeding motive power, I was smiling and was aware I had just experienced a great railfan moment which I would cherish in the years to come.

Penncentral6147

NEW BOOK: “TRACKSIDE WITH VIA”

Eric Gagnon has compiled and released a new 114-page book intended for Canadian railway enthusiasts of passenger train fans, specifically targeting interests in passenger train numbers and consists. For these individuals, this book will be a valuable reference source.

Trackside with VIA is divided into six sections, by "era", plus a bonus section: 1976-81 / Beginnings 1982-86 / Potpourri 1987-90 / New Power 1991-95 / End of Steam 1996-00 / Transition 2001-11 / Renaissance Western Trips

Each section has a page of text talking about the changes in VIA during the period, together with a half dozen or so black-and-white photographs. The real meat of each section is a list of trains he saw during that period, with times and locations and all the engines and cars he noted for each train. We railfans call these "consists". These are a treasure trove for train researchers, as well as anyone wondering what kinds of engines and cars VIA hauled at various times in its life.

In soft cover and perfect to bring trackside, Eric is offering the book for the low price of $25 (this includes shipping in Canada). The book also includes a foreword by Jason Shron of Rapido Trains, paint transition data for the modeler, provided by Jakob Mueller, a brief VIA roster, train schedules in the Ontario-Quebec, the various Canadian/Super Continental routings, and recommended readings. I think Trackside with VIA is a book by a railfan, for railfans. This book will appeal to VIA Rail enthusiasts, and train enthusiasts in general. I don't think the "general public" (whoever that is) would really enjoy it, and they are not the intended audience.

The book is well written, with very few typos, well laid out, and it is professionally printed. The cover is very reminiscent of VIA timetables from days gone by.

I recommend Trackside with VIA: The First 35 Years to anyone with a serious interest in railways, especially the history of VIA Rail. As Eric notes in his recommended reading section, there have been very few serious books on VIA Rail. Now there is one more.

William Baird CRO Editor: : [email protected]

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THANK YOU: Guy-Pascal Arcouette, Ralph Beaumont, William Beecher Jr., Michael Berry, Steve Boyko, Kevin Burkholder, Jay Butler, J-P Cadieux, Guilio Capuano, Andy Cassidy, Bruce Chapman, Daniel Dell’Unto, Darren Doss, Geoff Elliott, Joe Ferguson, Mike Garza, Sean Graham-White, Tim Hayman, Helm Financial, Steve Host, Ken Lanovich, Roman Litarchuk, Don McQueen (Froth), Bruce Mercer, Jeremy Mobile (WCRA), Jody Moore (Green Locomotive News), Terry Muirhead, Peter Murphy (CRHA), Jason Noe (Railpace), Ronald Pelletier, Mark Perry, Donna Peters, Walter Pfefferle, John Read “GR17f”, Vern Richardson, Earl Roberts (Branchline), George Redmond, Bill Sanderson, Wayne D. Shaw, Wilco van Schoonhoven, Cor van Steenis, Avrom Shtern, John Soehner, Len Thibeault, Jean-François Turcotte, Ron Visockis, Ed Weisensel, the Bridge Line Historical Society, and the Canadian Trackside Guide. Merci a Mike, James, John, Michel, Tony, Denis, Mohammed et tous mes amis a la St-Luc Diesel Shop.

GOT AN OBSERVATION? New issues of CRO are posted each month on our website. News stories pertaining to Canadian railways, photos, comments, favourite links, and questions are always welcome. Please send us your photos, newsworthy sightings and railway stories and if used, will be placed in the CRO newsletter. Please indicate if you wish your name to be withheld. If your own website pertains to Canadian railways, please contact us.

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DJ WILL CHASE http://www.legatoschaseproductions.ca/ Our JULY 2011 issue will be posted on CANADA DAY - JULY 1st and our subscribers will of course have it one day earlier Please view the current June issue of CRO with FREE DOWNLOAD on–line: http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/

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I am William Baird - Editor of CRO (Canadian Railway Observations) a Locomotive news and photos website with 7500 monthly readers, and over 200O on our CRO Facebook page.

My email is [email protected]

Cheers,

William Baird Montreal, QC Canadian Railway Observations (CRO) is also on FACEBOOK. Our CRO June issue is on line for FREE download at: http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/

GREAT SHOT! Derek Henderson’s friend Gord Billinghurst took this great “Meet” with CP RAIL SD40 5508 passing on the mainline with “The Empress of Agincourt” RSD17 8921 woth a transfer in West Toronto on May 30th 1980.

If you love trains and locomotives …our CRO JULY 2011 issue is now on line for your FREE download: http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/

Our next CRO issue will be posted August 1st and we invite you to review ourrent JULY 2011 issue of CRO online at http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/