Caption: Long before OSR arrived and packs of railfans are found following their trains like dogs in heat, you had CP operating the Frame Train, TK12, TK21, and extras as needed to/from St. Thomas and Woodstock on a rickety old branchline. Nobody cared (compared to today) about this branchline action, you had so much good stuff going by on the mainline, SD40-2's were daily on both railroads along with other types like SD50/60's, leaser units, and of course, at the time, the dreaded GE poo. If you wanted a branchline you had to go out of your way and leave the mainline behind - not like today when it can be dead for hours and a branchline chase sounds like a good idea - I assure you it was a sacrifice. And it was worth it. Dave Young and I collaborated on a few branchline chases back then, and a few other enterprising folks did the same, because this was one line worth focusing on, unbeknownst to us, in a few years it would turn to OSR and the foam brigade would soon arrive - blissfully unaware of what they really missed. Pictured is TK12 heading back east to Woodstock with cars from Putnam - the Woodstock jobs operated out of Woodstock, three days a week heading to St. Thomas to switch customers, and multiple jobs a day going to CAMI. The Frame Train ran 6 days a week as well like clockwork. With all that traffic on 33 miles of the St. Thomas sub they would have to meet somewhere - and meet they did Such as this meet in Beachville - with CP GP7(!) in the lead..Don't forget CN used to run on the St. Thomas Sub in Ingersoll too total it up you have up to 8 movements per day, all controlled by CP RTC Toronto under OCS. OSR even ran twice a week from Tillsonburg to Ingersoll but from what I recall they stayed within yard limits as I believe the Port Burwell connected directly to the Ingersoll yard without touching the mainline. Can anyone verify that one?
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Oops I forgot about the once a week CN 513 in St. Thomas that ran from the Cayuga sub to the St. Thomas to get to Ridgetown. So up to 10 movements a day if all aligned.
Nice photo Steve. Not many CP 8200′s received the golden beaver logo.
I do miss seeing the local power parked at Woodstock as well.