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While it may look like I'm standing in the middle of an active railway track from the thumbnail, this is not reality. On the right is a signal 2064, which has remained solid red for approximately eight years now, if not more, and is largely obscured by a tree. Partially visible is the right of way for the extension of the CP Belleville Subdivision to Union Station (commonly known as the Don Branch). A few meters past the signal, the switch to connect with the current mainline has been removed, yet the signal remains on. Behind me, thick heavy brush exists that would be almost impossible to walk through. This track was used relatively heavily by CP passenger trains up until the late 1970s, as well as CP locals and odd full-fledged freights heading downtown. CP's Circle Job was the last regular train to use this branch, which worked the Port Lands. The last train to use the Don Branch was the CP Holiday train on December 2nd, 2007, which headed south downtown. Well... Back to present time. CP's Expressway train 132 glides through Leaside with CP 9803 and 2258 and a long string of trailers, bound for Montreal. As for the future... Metrolinx does own the Don Branch, so hopefully within the next 20 years, trains will once again use the Don Branch. By that point, they'll be practically cutting down a forest to get the line in use once more.
Copyright Notice: This image ©Daniel Odette all rights reserved.



Caption: While it may look like I'm standing in the middle of an active railway track from the thumbnail, this is not reality. On the right is a signal 2064, which has remained solid red for approximately eight years now, if not more, and is largely obscured by a tree. Partially visible is the right of way for the extension of the CP Belleville Subdivision to Union Station (commonly known as the Don Branch). A few meters past the signal, the switch to connect with the current mainline has been removed, yet the signal remains on. Behind me, thick heavy brush exists that would be almost impossible to walk through. This track was used relatively heavily by CP passenger trains up until the late 1970s, as well as CP locals and odd full-fledged freights heading downtown. CP's Circle Job was the last regular train to use this branch, which worked the Port Lands. The last train to use the Don Branch was the CP Holiday train on December 2nd, 2007, which headed south downtown. Well... Back to present time. CP's Expressway train 132 glides through Leaside with CP 9803 and 2258 and a long string of trailers, bound for Montreal. As for the future... Metrolinx does own the Don Branch, so hopefully within the next 20 years, trains will once again use the Don Branch. By that point, they'll be practically cutting down a forest to get the line in use once more.

Photographer:
Daniel Odette [155] (more) (contact)
Date: 10/23/2015 (search)
Railway: Canadian Pacific (search)
Reporting Marks: CP 9803 (search)
Train Symbol: CP 132-23 (search)
Subdivision/SNS: Mile 206.5 CP Belleville Subdivision (search)
City/Town: Toronto (search)
Province: Ontario (search)
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Photo ID: 20120

Map courtesy of Open Street Map

Full size | Suncalc
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2 Comments
  1. You’re about 5 minutes away from where I live. The lights on the other signals are all but burned out. But it’s very impressive on how the local fauna has reclaimed the right of way.

    Yes they will have to cut down a forest and probably combat a couple of bears and wolves and the occasional mutates raccoon or squirrel to make the line passable.

  2. Do have a look at the Metrolinx 2010 Peterborough Rail Study report available on line.

    The former CPR Don Branch ( west end former CP Belleville Sub miles 206.3 to 209.5 at Don ) is now owned by you and me via GO Transit, now part of Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario.

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