Welcome Visitor. First time here? Like what you see? Bookmark us for when you are bored, and check out 'top shots' and 'fantastic (editors choice)' in the menu above, you won't be dissapointed. Join our community! click here to sign up for an account today. Sick of this message? Get rid of it by logging-in here.



How it was done. "Custodian" Jimmy Bell hands up the orders to southbound CP 4509,4218's tail end on a warm but rainy Wednesday in June 1986. Every time I visited him at the CP station in town it was like being welcomed back home. Jimmy is gone now, but to this day he remains the nicest agent I even had the pleasure of chatting out an afternoon with. He had quite a bit of memorabilia out at his cottage on Georgian Bay; and when I expressed great interest in it; he got a ladder, went out, and tore the namesign off the north end of the station and told me to take it home as a souvenir of our good times. Needless to say I still have it.
Copyright Notice: This image ©A.W.Mooney all rights reserved.



Caption: How it was done. "Custodian" Jimmy Bell hands up the orders to southbound CP 4509,4218's tail end on a warm but rainy Wednesday in June 1986. Every time I visited him at the CP station in town it was like being welcomed back home. Jimmy is gone now, but to this day he remains the nicest agent I even had the pleasure of chatting out an afternoon with. He had quite a bit of memorabilia out at his cottage on Georgian Bay; and when I expressed great interest in it; he got a ladder, went out, and tore the namesign off the north end of the station and told me to take it home as a souvenir of our good times. Needless to say I still have it.

Photographer:
A.W.Mooney [2133] (more) (contact)
Date: 06/11/1986 (search)
Railway: Canadian Pacific (search)
Reporting Marks: (CP 4509-4218) (search)
Train Symbol: unknown (search)
Subdivision/SNS: CP Parry Sound Sub. (search)
City/Town: Parry Sound (search)
Province: Ontario (search)
Share Link: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=43701
Click here to Log-in or Register and add your vote.

30 Favourites
Photographers like Gold.Log-in or Register to show appreciation
View count: 1365 Views

Share this image on Facebook, Twitter or email using the icons below
Photo ID: 42479

Sorry, there is no map for this photo. Photographer did not add GPS co-ordinates. Please add next time or ask for a correction to this photo.

All comments must be positive in nature and abide by site rules. Anything else may be removed without warning.

13 Comments
  1. Cool story Arnold. I still have a long hoop from Guelph Jct , given to me by Ed Simpson the night shift operator for my first 19Y hoop on a late 904. Fun times!

  2. Great memories!!! For us, it is lot harder to come by them these days. One day is like another.

  3. This is what its all about. Lovely moment (and memory!) captured here, Arnold.

  4. Agreed, great story! I was only two days old when this was taken. Pretty surreal.

  5. Two DAYS??? Thanks for making me feel old, Kevin. I can accomplish that much on my own, thank you.
    And yes, Ryan…you guys are lucky. With digital you can shoot to your hearts content. Just make sure you live long enough to enjoy looking back at all the memories.

  6. Arnold, every one of your photos and the stories that accompany them are fantastic. You put a smile on my face every time I see/read them!

    Hopefully, some day Americans quit acting stupid long enough to get rid of this virus and we can travel to Ontario again, and hopefully we can meet. I’d love to spend an hour, or three, trackside with you. I’m not counting on us figuring this out though, unfortunately…

  7. As it should be.

  8. Kind Words, ‘cprtom’.
    The border had better open in 2021 within reason or most of us will be going a bit stir-crazy. It would be nice to meet and chat; as perhaps the lack of trains would not be such a disappointment.
    Curious……..”over the border” could mean you might be a CP/D&H fan? :o )

  9. Classic Canadian image!

  10. Thanks, Marcus.
    I wasn’t going to bother posting this shot but then I got to thinking the only time we see anyone on the railroads now is when they are in the cab or maybe throwing switches. Or worse, a cop telling us to “buzz off”.

  11. Arnold, over the border for me is Haslett, Michigan, mp. 229 on the GTW Flint sub to be exact. ~100 Mi to Sarnia,

  12. Ah yes, I had heard of it but had forgotten where; as we stop at Durand en route to the West most every year………..but this one.
    THANKS

  13. Awesome photo and story.

Railpictures.ca © 2006-2023 all rights reserved. Photographs are copyright of the photographer and used with permission
Terms and conditions | About us