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GEXR in Summer 2004 could be described as follows: Shiny. Most days new engines from EMD would end up on the point of 431 and 432, mostly CSX SD70ACe's - but there were CN, BNSF and even Union Pacific ACE's all fresh from EMD London. (The UP run would happen AT NIGHT and only happened ONCE that I am aware of!). Living at Kent St at this time in my life had its benefits - close to downtown (bars!) and close to tracks. A few friends joined me beers in hand while we watched the train go by - and I was smart enough to take my camera out for one of my few actually half decent photos of these movements. The time was 17:50. Rob Smith would certainly note - There was always a smoky joe on the train through Guelph - in this case an EMD employee who ALWAYS took his smoke break on cue for the ride down Kent St. EMD employees rode along as part of these tests which lasted from July 3 2004 into October 2004. A CN -M2 unit also tested to Tornto on GEXR in January 21 2006 so tests weren't exclusive to just the summer '04 period. There were also numerous tests between London and Stratford which I regrettably never went to see, someone will share here some day i'm sure :) The beauty of our hobby.
Copyright Notice: This image ©Stephen C. Host all rights reserved.



Caption: GEXR in Summer 2004 could be described as follows: Shiny. Most days new engines from EMD would end up on the point of 431 and 432, mostly CSX SD70ACe's - but there were CN, BNSF and even Union Pacific ACE's all fresh from EMD London. (The UP run would happen AT NIGHT and only happened ONCE that I am aware of!). Living at Kent St at this time in my life had its benefits - close to downtown (bars!) and close to tracks. A few friends joined me beers in hand while we watched the train go by - and I was smart enough to take my camera out for one of my few actually half decent photos of these movements. The time was 17:50.

Rob Smith would certainly note - There was always a smoky joe on the train through Guelph - in this case an EMD employee who ALWAYS took his smoke break on cue for the ride down Kent St. EMD employees rode along as part of these tests which lasted from July 3 2004 into October 2004. A CN -M2 unit also tested to Toronto on GEXR in January 21 2006 so tests weren't exclusive to just the summer '04 period. There were also numerous tests between London and Stratford which I regrettably never went to see, someone will share here some day i'm sure :) The beauty of our hobby.

Photographer:
Stephen C. Host [1500] (more) (contact)
Date: 07/03/2004 (search)
Railway: CSX Transportation (search)
Reporting Marks: CSXT 4836, CSXT 4840, RLK 2210, LLPX 2210 (search)
Train Symbol: GEXR 431-03 (search)
Subdivision/SNS: Mile 49, Guelph Subdivision (search)
City/Town: Guelph (search)
Province: Ontario (search)
Share Link: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=26340
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Photo ID: 25186
Map courtesy of Open Street Map

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10 Comments
  1. Stephen C. Host
    October 4, 2016 at 6:36 pm

    For the GEXR detail freaks: Yes, that’s RLK 2210 – re-numbered to avoid confusion with LLPX 2210 in later years.

  2. Jacob Patterson
    October 4, 2016 at 7:34 pm

    AWESOME! Wish I had seen these!

  3. Marcus Stevens
    October 5, 2016 at 8:49 am

    Very Nice! I only managed to catch these runs a couple of times, but am glad I did. London just isn’t the same without EMD :(

  4. Joseph Bishop
    October 5, 2016 at 11:36 am

    This is fun! More of these please!

    Also equally cool as CSX didn’t take a lot of the ACe’s making them a rare catch on a good day.

  5. Stephen C. Host
    October 5, 2016 at 11:58 am

    thanks Joe. How many did csx order in total? i probably shot 20 different units as they sometimes changed daily.

    funny enough I found a pair of these in Cordele GA and guess which unit is leading ?????????

    yup this one!!!!

  6. Joseph Bishop
    October 5, 2016 at 12:03 pm

    Yeah only 20 in total, 4831-4850. I have only ever seen one in my travels on CSX roads.

  7. Stephen C. Host
    October 5, 2016 at 8:36 pm

    Note: I’m told CSXT 4839 is retired now, MG failure.

  8. awmooney
    October 9, 2016 at 7:57 pm

    This was a great time along the ol’ Guelph Sub., and a great shot, Steve. But 12 years ago already? Wow!!!

  9. Stephen C. Host
    October 11, 2016 at 10:36 am

    Thanks Arnie – it was, and I was just lucky to be there for it. Little did I know how lucky i truly was to have it in my backyard..

    I looked back at my records and I managed to shoot about 12 to 14 CSX SD70ACe’s in total, including the now retired 4839

  10. awmooney
    October 11, 2016 at 11:42 am

    Interesting about the 4839. Lucky for me that was the leader in the only train I followed for much distance on the GEXR…as posted a long time back passing Kitchener station. I’ve not a decent record of how many ACe’s I saw along the line, but I think it is about 6. You did well, Mr. Host.
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