Railpictures.ca - First954 Photo: Ontario Northland train 122 drifts south through Richmond Hill, Ontario on CN’s Bala Subdivision. This photo was taken 43 years ago and OH how things have changed in this area. In this photo, the new second track for GO is in place, but the original CN track is still jointed rail. These European locomotive wonders did not last very long and were soon replaced by repurposed FP7s. | Railpictures.ca – Canadian Railway Photography

Ontario Northland train 122 drifts south through Richmond Hill, Ontario on CN's Bala Subdivision. This photo was taken 43 years ago and OH how things have changed in this area. In this photo, the new second track for GO is in place, but the original CN track is still jointed rail. These European locomotive wonders did not last very long and were soon replaced by repurposed FP7s.

Caption: Ontario Northland train 122 drifts south through Richmond Hill, Ontario on CN's Bala Subdivision. This photo was taken 43 years ago and OH how things have changed in this area. In this photo, the new second track for GO is in place, but the original CN track is still jointed rail. These European locomotive wonders did not last very long and were soon replaced by repurposed FP7s.

Photographer:	First954 [349] (more) (contact)
Date:	06/19/1977 (search)
Railway:	Ontario Northland (search)
Reporting Marks:	ONT 1980 (search)
Train Symbol:	122 (search)
Subdivision/SNS:	Richmond HIll, Mile 21.0 Bala Sub (search)
City/Town:	Richmond Hill (search)
Province:	Ontario (search)
Share Link:	http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=41818

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Photo ID: 40609

Map courtesy of Open Street Map

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One Comment

Todd Steinman

September 28, 2026 at 2:04 pm

Great photo, and my how this area has certainly changed. I was all but 5 months old when you snapped this photo. However, with family living in Richmond Hill we often made trips to visit. Nonetheless, I still remember going to the tracks when I was older, and once seeing the TEE equipment. Otherwise, it was the refurbished FP7 units.

I feel like history is repeating itself, with some of the failures of the new Siemens units that VIA now has during some of the harsh winter climates experienced here in Ontario. And, we now have Staetler (sp?) to manufacture european looking units as well (in time).

Bring back the old F units, I say. But I guess time will tell.

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Todd Steinman

September 28, 2026 at 2:04 pm

Great photo, and my how this area has certainly changed. I was all but 5 months old when you snapped this photo. However, with family living in Richmond Hill we often made trips to visit. Nonetheless, I still remember going to the tracks when I was older, and once seeing the TEE equipment. Otherwise, it was the refurbished FP7 units.

I feel like history is repeating itself, with some of the failures of the new Siemens units that VIA now has during some of the harsh winter climates experienced here in Ontario. And, we now have Staetler (sp?) to manufacture european looking units as well (in time).

Bring back the old F units, I say. But I guess time will tell.