Postscript: Kingston Derailment March 1980

Here is the first indication of the derailment - the delayed trains that will be held until at least one track is clear. The steam-heated Cavalier and a freight behind 2322-9537 are at the Queens West interlocking, the first crossovers east of the site, which is six miles to the west. Spending the better part of twelve hours at the derailment, at least 15 trains made their way past the site. Before-and-after. An initial view of the derailment at 1000, then a westbound VIA makes it way past the remaining nine cars, after the north track has been cleared and tailend cars have been pulled clear of the site:

The VIA passenger trains were the first ones allowed past (VIA markings unless shown as CN):

1138 WB: 6765-6634-CN 9647-CN Greenridge-5417-5203-5517-5648-3034-5727-Buckley Bay-CN Ellerslie-5423-5414-5432-CN 5383-CN 94

.

1150 WB: Railiners CN 6120-6001-6116

.

1246 EB: 6771-6867-3118-5411-5407-5468-2511-5599-CN 5283-CN 5402-CN 5412-Rideau Club-CN 5183-5421-2503-5594-5294-CN 9662.

-lunch break-

1416 WB: 6787-6871-6616-CN 9604-CN 5472-Great Slave Lake-5473-CN 5647-5508-5501-2504-5596-5452-5704-CN University Club (above)

Then the freights were allowed to roll in eastbound and westbound fleets:

1515 EB: 9636-9512-79684

1527 EB: 9417-5072-9416-79594 (above)

1603 WB: 2322-9537-79458

1615 WB: 9473-9629-9588-79636

1630 WB: 9446-4595-4013-79380

-supper break-

Lots of trains rolling by after dark too:

2014 WB: 6768-6861-9639-2511-Rideau Club-3035-5651-9648

2133 WB: 4002-3122-3209-79560

2143 WB: 9460...79295
2208 EB: 9547-5583-9409-79475

2220 EB: 9501-9421-5500-79800

Luckily, CN 557617 stayed upright, supported by smashed trucks.