Welcome aboard this year-long retrospective series celebrating my Fifty Years Trackside - watching trains and taking numbers. This is the Seventh of a year-long series celebrating those five decades - each month's post is a time capsule; a five-year slice of those fifty years. In the previous post, we entered a new millennium. This month, it's 2006-2010 and during those troubled years the world entered a recession due to a U.S. housing market bubble burst. Though we'd long heard many in my healthcare and other fields would be retiring in these years, many stayed on since their retirement savings decreased rapidly in value. But the trains kept rolling!
On Dec 3, 2005 on a trip to Belleville, UP 4492 was between 2640 and 5626. As part of a regular move, high-priority ingots of aluminum from Arvida were transferred from CN No 369 directly onto intermodal CN No 149 for furtherance to the Chicago area.
My note taking was back on track in March, 2006. Andrew was photographing an eastbound CN freight at Kingston station with 5777-2444 (top photo).
CN No 590 was routinely dragging its entire 20-car plus Brockville-Belleville train down to Invista. Interesting 86-foot hi-cube boxcars were hauling peat moss, also making freight consists more interesting.CN was starting to use clapped-out gondolas an open hoppers to haul scrap ties from tie replacement programs. Calling it the CN 'Heritage Train': WC, BLE, IC and other predecessor roads made CN freights more interesting. AC 432, dogwood BCOL 9112 and IC 102020 at Queens:
CN freights were often three units, including occasional 'Heritage' WC, GCFX, BNSF, IC and CR units.
On March 25, 2006 in Belleville, IC 6108 was on No 377, and a flared Wisconsin Central SD45 7531 with silver trucks was between 5726 and 5247 on No 308:
We managed to record some dimensional movements and CN freights in emergency, though only occasional VIA HEP2 consists and ZERO LRC consists for the first half of 2006! Most VIA corridor trains used LRC cars, but the HEP cars continue to be used for Nos 57, 60, 68 and 69. Operational variations include extra cars during peak periods, the use of lounge car Glenfraser on some trains, or J-trains consisting of two trainsets joined together, with only one crew as far as Brockville, such as Nos 52/40 and 648/668. In 2009, the announcement of F40's, HEP and LRC fleet refurbishing suggested that VIA was moving towards a sunny next era.
The kids were getting older (15 and 12), more independent and less likely to joining on my time trackside. We did make it to Kingston Mills for a Canada Day picnic at Kingston Mills locks on July 1, 2006. We also made a family trip to Montreal July 18-20, 2006 taking in the Biodome, riding the Metro and staying at the Dorval Best Western where we had a view of the CN and CP tracks from our room! CP 8231 leads an 11-car local and Angus van 434957, seen from our window on July 18:
That day we rode the 1152 eastward AMT train comprising three bilevels from Dorval to Windsor Station, returning westward at 1728 on an eight single-level car consist. While on the AMT trains, we observed CP 1697-1549 switching CP's Lachine intermodal terminal, CP 1626 switching an auto compound as well as the AMT shop and trains:
Again heading into the city on July 19 in three bilevels, departing Dorval at 0840, returning at 1630 to Dorval on five bilevels. From the room, we could see CN Nos 309, 308, 782, 121, 376, 363 with CSX 7554 and CR 8664; CP Expressway and 255 with seven units: CEFX blue 1058 and 1038, CP 9573-9118-8543-8620-STLH 8245 and VIA No 60.
The American Orient Express, 18 cars led by CN 5265 and VIA 6433 headed east at 2305 on September 20. We made a couple of trips to Belleville yard. On November 25, 2006 an afternoon at the VIA station with three LRC and one HEP2 consists and CN Nos 321, 305, 377 and 106.
On March 17, 2007 Dad, Erika and I took in the Kingston train show followed by a stop at Country Style. An eastbound VIA J-train with 920-5 LRC cars and CBC-wrapped 6403 and a 7-car HEP2 consist.
An interesting dimensional movement, CN No 319 with CN 5715-2507 headed west at 1840 on Victoria Day, May 21, 2007 (below). Sixteen QTTX flatcars with heat exchangers for Brampton, each separated by two CN ballast cars, plus two more QTTX flats on the tail-end sharing a giant grey, cylindrical tank. Limited to 25 mph, the extra had to coordinate its movements with four VIA and five CN freights between Kings and Ernestown. QTTX 131320 and 131452 separated by CN 53398-53399, and QTTX 131453-131344 with the huge tank:
I observed my first CN Distributed Power Units experiments:
- May 8 CN 2200 on No 363
- June 16 CN 2205 on No 363
- July 22 CN 2537 on No 308
CN was actively modernizing its power. CN 8824-8823, new SD70-2M's in the new www scheme were on No 376 on November 7, 2007, then:
- Dec 6/07 CN 8808-8834 on No 305
- Dec 6/07 CN 8845-8812 on No 369
- Jan 11/08 CN 8812-8824 on No 309
In the fall of 2007, Andrew started his paramedic course at Oshawa's Durham College. He would return home each Friday night on VIA No 64 before returning Sunday afternoon on VIA No 45 (above). He made use of the commuter pass.
Andrew generously gifted us with trip he won in a radio contest: anywhere in the Corridor for two in Business Class. While he won the prize, which included a Blackberry for him(!) we travelled on June 19-22, 2008 to Quebec City. Eastward on Thursday's VIA Nos 52/40 and 24, returning Sunday on VIA Nos 25-->69. As we headed east to Montreal in VIA1 on VIA train No 52/40. Hearing a conversation ahead of us, a passenger with book in hand was chatting amicably with on-board staff. I put two plus Turbo together and realized it was none other than a certain model train manufacturer doing the kibbitzing. On his way back to his seat up the aisle, it was, "Excuse me, are you Jason Shron?" And the rest is history!
On July 1, 2008 we were at Kingston Mills for a suppertime Canada Day picnic. CN Nos 377 and 321, VIA Nos 64, 46, 65, 47, 66 and 67 were all P42-led, passed during our pastoral canal-side and trackside time.
A derailment just west of Coronation Boulevard happened at 0330 on July 30, 2008 - three to five covered hoppers. Many VIA trains were cancelled-combined-late. Not accessible nor photographable, a contractor worked to rerail the errant cars under the eagle-eye of a CN policeman on overwatch atop a nearby berm. CN No 590's power operating as Work 4701 was pulling away cars at 1700. J-trained VIA Nos 64/66 and 67/65, 8 and 10 cars respectively, stopped at Kingston station around 1930.
On August 19 I pressed 'Publish' to launch Trackside Treasure. Its first post was the first of the thousand-plus (you're reading #1,012!) and asked simply 'why?'. My answer included the words depth, retro and treasure. This post shows readers I'm still digging back in time and wallowing in nostalgia with you as we are mere days away from Trackside Treasure's 18th anniversary.
Pressing 'Publish' that first time seems like just yesterday, and I can still see myself sitting in front of a computer screen on a work lunch break pecking at the keyboard. I knew little about blogging, and now I know a little bit more. Watch for Trackside Treasure's 18th anniversary celebration in a week or two!
A trip to Belleville on September 2, 2008 netted a CWR train working east. Trailed by caboose CN 79707, we got ahead of it, photographing it crossing the photogenic Salmon River bridge.
Karen patronized a Shannonville craft store named Ecstasy Crafts (questionable choice of business name?) which meant time trackside for me while she shopped or attended open-house crafting classes. On September 27, 2008 I was at Shannonville Road crossing by 0930 for four CN freights, three VIA and two CP trains before noon, then a two hour lull. CN 4717-4143 were bringing five CEFX short covered hoppers for Bath LaFarge into the yard at 1630 before we headed home.
I attended a one-day symposium for work at Sick Kids Hospital on October 9, 2008. I travelled to Toronto on VIA No 651, a P42-led four car LRC train consist, noting Amherst Manor-Kokanee Park on VIA No 1 under the Toronto Union train shed. Returning home on VIA No 69 in seat 14A of car 3337, we had an eclectic consist: 9xx-40xx-4115-4117-3304-3337-8139-1722 backwards-Grant Manor. Why are the most photogenic consists also the ones that are unphotographable? To wit - VIA No 69 at Kingston station 6 HEP2 cars led by two wrapped F40's ...Spiderman 6401 and Telus green 6429 on October 9, 2008.
On February 2, 2009 INVX covered hopper 38406 rolled over the derail at Invista and just sat right where it landed - for four days!
Dimensional loads kept a-comin'! Watch for an upcoming post on the plethoric loads... On a snowy but sunny Sunday February 8, 2009 CN No 363 had five up front - two Bechtel condensers, an Indeck boiler and two transformers!
March 21, 2009 found a triple J-train going through at 1230. Nos 651/641/43 due to a derailment at Brighton: 915&3 LRC cars-905&5 LRC cars - 901&7 Ren cars combined and deadheaded to Belleville. May 2, 2009 meant more crafting and more time trackside - springtime in Shannonville. Three CN, CP 115 and 235 and one VIA No 57 led by CBC-wrapped 6403 with six HEP2 cars (below). One CN westbound was a rare CN one-lunger with CN 5796 leading 90+ grain empties west: CN, CNWX, SKNX, ALNX, IC and DWC.
An overcast afternoon on June 20, 2009 found me at Rigney Street. CN Nos 368, 309, 310 (below - led by 5620-BCOL 4646-IC2725), 376 and 377; VIA Nos 60, 44, 45/57 (combined due to an engine failure - 910 & 5 LRC cars + 7 HEP2 cars). I really should have taken more photos of the Renaissance fleet when in service here!
September 10-19, 2009 - a road trip to Daytona Beach, FL garnered these photos. From the Interstate in transit: train on Rockville bridge; Enola Yard in Harrisburg, PA:
On September 26, 2009 I walked in to the CP Belleville Sub mainline crossing over CN, just west of Shannonville Road (Mi 214 CN Kingston Sub) with CN Nos 149 (below) and 308 but no CP activity. I took some documentary photos, not planning to return, Though I WOULD, years later to find CN's federally-funded triple-tracking program had managed to wedge a third CN Kingston Sub track under the CP bridge near the eastern abutment.
The same day, up and down the razorbacks near Shannonville, CN 2257-5699 lug CN No 305...
...and Erika pictures auto racks on that 305 at Belleville - a 145-car train pull-by:
I always aim to wangle one April Saturday morning session trackside each year. The morning air and sun seem warmer, and the leaves are just starting to burst out of their bud phase, giving the trees a bright green aura/halo. April 24, 2010 found me near Vista Drive for CN No 106 at 0621, No 309 at 0637, VIA westbound at 0656, CN No 368 at 0725, No 369 at 0738 and No 371 at 0752, then VIA No 40/52 at 0914: 914&LRC, 918&Ren.
On April 29, 2010 I asked Erika to photograph a Herzog inspection truck near Mi 179 CN Kingston Sub while I was driving along parallel Bath Road:
Another work symposium on May 17, 2010 found m aboard VIA No 655 at 0655: 909-3475-3337-3320 Seat 14A north side window - 3344, arriving at Toronto at 0921. Returning on J-train No 668/648 with 9xx&4HEP2-916-3465-3308-3314.
Former CN gypsum car 198588 in scrap tie service at the Cataraqui Spur team track on May 16, 2010 in the company of BN/WC hoppers and BCOL gondolas:
Thanks for being aboard this year-long train of thought as we retrace, remember, and yes, wallow in nostalgia these fifty years trackside. Watch for an upcoming Part 8 profiling 2011-2015, when Trackside Treasure turned over a new leaf and began a new chapter - book creation!
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VIA has sidetracked P42's 906, 908, 912, 916 and 919 at their Montreal Maintenance Centre for pending scrapping. Many railfans are equating the P42 fleet's retirement and subsequent scrapping synonymous with that of the LRC's in January, 2027, though I've seen no evidence of that happening. Lion Liu got an excellent drone [header] photo of the five on July 22:
A previous light engine movement (VIA 912, VIA 919) on July 13 was proceeding westward on shop track H8 when unit VIA 912 derailed. VIA 916 was the first of all-but-four of the fleet to receive the Canada 150 wrap on February 2, 2017. Its white cab side lettering was replaced by black when I photographed it at Kingston one month later:
Just ten days later, Lion Liu was a-snapping again, "Panorama dome cars VIA 1720 and 1721 and Lounge car VIA 1750 ‘Glenfraser’ are being repositioned from Wheel shop east to H tracks at MMC by VIA 6459 [the ten-dollar bill unit]. So far 1720 and 1722 have been marked ‘for scrap'." Looking like the elephant boneyard:
Running extra...
The house next to us is for sale. AI has apparently positioned a vehicle, clearly not ours, on our front patio which is definitely a no-parking zone! Pssst, AI. Fake interior and exterior lights when there is a northern redbud tree shadow on that front lawn. Midday ground, sunset sky = AI slop. Oh, and the house number is wrong!
Thanks to Mike Kulesza for sending a panoply of recent CP photos from Calgary. Alternate-fuel locomotives contrast nicely with the Royal Canadian Pacific locos behind another alternate-fuel installation!
Who says these are Great Discussions? The CBC, that's who! Are VIA trains too old? Are journalists too young? This recently-posted YouTube video answers both questions! (There are certainly no great discussions, in fact no Prestige Class passengers, in the Park car lounge shown in the video - screenshot above). I've been watching lots of Tye's YouTube videos. When he calls out the Venture cab car and/or the locomotive, it's like watching the state lottery ball-caller on TV. There's genuine suspense...what will the next number be?
First past the post...
It was great to talk to fellow pickleballer Jim, a former principal at Lachine High School/Lakeview Academy and interestingly a native Noo Yawker! Jim told me he would take classes of Quebec students to the Big Apple annually and never lost one. I said, of course not! After experiencing life in the brash big city, they would only be too happy to return home, as in, "Don't leave me here!". Still a place I would like to visit - maybe someday!
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