Caption: CP GP30 5001, running long-hood-forward, and van 434020 prowl weed-grown trackage with a single bulkhead flatcar in tow, passing through Belwood westbound on CP's Elora Sub. The Grand River is a stone's throw away and runs along this portion of the line (which crossed over it to the west at Shand Dam) but is obscured from view by the foliage. I initially thought the train was traversing the passing siding at Belwood, but according to track diagrams the closest weed-ridden track the train is on is apparently the mainline.

GP30 5001 (one of only two CP GP30's and the only ones built in Canada) had been recently retrofitted with a rear pilot, rear markers and rear numberboards as part of CP's DRF to DRS converion program for its GP30, GP35 and C424 fleet, in order to boost ranks of 4-axle roadswitchers in light of the bulk of their GP9's being rebuilt as yard units. The rear features were required for leading trains in branchline service on lines that might not have turning facilities but warranted only one unit. All three groups would become common branchline power on CP in the 80's and 90's, along with rebuilt RS18u and GP9u road switcher units.

One of the many "Bruce Branches" that once spanned the area, the 29-mile Elora Sub split off from CP's Orangeville (Owen Sound) Sub at Cataract, and ran 29 miles west via Erin, Hillsburg, Belwood, and Fergus to Elora. According to a CP timetable, in 1980 the Elora Sub was listed as 25mph maximum operating speed with some 20mph portions, but by the mid-late 80's the line had deteriorated to 15mph speed with 5-10mph speed restrictions along most of its light 72-100lb rail (not suitable for cars over 220k lbs according to special timetable instructions). Traffic along the line had also all but dried up in that time. As was the fate of many other unprofitable branchlines, CP applied to abandon the Elora Sub and received approval in December 1987, and that was that. One can still traverse its former right-of-way today as the Elora Cataract Trailway.

Keith Hansen photo, Dan Dell'Unto collection.