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About Stephen C. Host


I've been into photography since 2001 - but like many others grew up interested in all things railway from an early age. I reside in Guelph, Ontario, Canada and currently use two cameras: Nikon D800, and a Nikon D90 (Backup only). Prior Nikon cameras include D60, D70 and D100, and a F65 for when I dabbled in Film (Kodachrome/Fuji Velvia and Provia). Lenses used tend to be either 70-200 F/2.8, 50mm/1.8, or 16-35 F4 (Until 2016) and a 18-35 F/4-5.6 (2016+). I recently acquired a 80-400 Nikon which I've been playing with with some results I'm happy with, but the jury is out if I am OK with the image quality :) Professionally - I am an Engineer (P. Eng. - Computer) for a large automotive concern. I also freelance as a photographer with the Canadian Press and their affiliates (AP/etc.) since 2009.

Stephen C. Host's Railpictures.ca photo upload statistics


Number of images: 792
Total gold: 6317
Number of comments recieved : 2146
Number of comments posted : 3549
Total views: 839576


Stephen C. Host has the #3 all time image on railpictures.ca!
Stephen C. Host has the #30 all time image on railpictures.ca!
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Stephen C. Host's 792 photos on Railpictures.ca:


<b>As Snake would say.. Steel Steve returns </b> If this is the last train on CN I photograph in 2017 I'm good. I had no plans to go out, but with the sun full blast I got my butt out to get some Vitamin D, and a timely heads up about this movement from a Hamilton friend: CN 421 just finished work @ Hamilton Yard and is blasting off with an amazing lashup: CN 2031 (Dash 8), CN 5346 (SD40-2), CN 5471 (SD60), CN 5442 (SD60). With 200 more GEVO's coming, and the new lease fleet on the property (and still coming) - this will be the last good winter for CN - get it while you can folks. This time next year the GEVO invasion should be in full swing and CN will probably be a heck of a lot like CP in the motive power variety department. Just about everything in this lashup will likely be replaced by the GEVO invasion, unless by some miracle CN's busier than ever and can't get rid of their second hand fleet let alone the greasy ugly leasers starting to show around here. One thing is certain, Winter 2018 is going to be worth your time on CN.<br><br>Merry Christmas everyone!
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Canadian National
Date: 12/24/2017
Location: Hamilton
Province: Ontario
4 Comments | 16 Favourites
A pair of EMD F units growl in response to Gary Dagelman's heavy application of throttle as plow CPR 401005 devours a 200 meter long, 4 foot high drift just outside of Putnam, Ontario. From my family to yours, please enjoy a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year. With any luck, we'll see more of this as winter 2018 bears down. Cross your fingers everyone!
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Ontario Southland
Date: 02/13/2015
Location: St. Thomas
Province: Ontario
7 Comments | 18 Favourites
Rare Mileage for VIA Patrons as #83 and #75 combined travel over the normally freight only CNR Halton subdivision on a hazy, foggy day July 9 2013. Due to a washout on the Oakville sub VIA trains had to re-route. In the background is an aldershot-milton local servicing industries nearby and of course the hazy escarpment. We've been treated with VIA re-routes on the Halton sub about once a year ever since, plenty of time and opportunity to get this again. For the railway employees - would this train have required a CN pilot?
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: VIA Rail
Date: 7/9/2013
Location: Milton
Province: Ontario
4 Comments | 12 Favourites
I very much enjoy the TH&B, and when some RP.CA photographers share their TH&B shots I am incredibly grateful to see them. But this is about as close as I'll get. Back when it wasn't in the deadline, TH&B 51 sits outside, uncoupled of the front of OSR's Salford Shops in gorgeous morning light. It was here a while before going into the rear of the deadline where it remains today. Due to braking systems that are no longer certified by Transport Canada, it is not permitted to be used in revenue service. (Per OSR staff)
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Toronto Hamilton a…
Date: 09/14/2013
Location: Salford
Province: Ontario
4 Comments | 13 Favourites
Obscure operations are one of my strengths, and I love to find them operating. This is the Ontario Southland operation you've never heard of - because it's operated by the folks at Babcock and Wilcox (now BWXT) in Galt, Ontario. OSR L4, GE 70 tonner, built in October 1946 is seen on Babcock's industrial leads as they are shipping out a D9R on GEXR, and having arrived early I was able to capture L4 switching cars around prior to GEXR's arrival.<br><br> <br><br>Track wise, L4 is on Babcock's lead, the middle track with welded rail is CP's Waterloo subdivision, and to the left of that is the beginning of the GEXR/CN Fergus sub, in 1985 this would have been known as CNR Finnegan and was the southernmost point on the Fergus subdivision after Finnegan to Lynden was abandoned in early 80's.<br><Br> This operation, for OSR's purposes was/is a leased locomotive only - L4 was formerly used on the PSTR but was owned by one of the principals of the OSR and still has OSR reporting marks on the side. I would imagine the lease would have included mobile maintenance as needed but I stand to be corrected - any comments please add below with thanks.
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Ontario Southland
Date: 10/10/2013
Location: Galt
Province: Ontario
1 Comments | 13 Favourites
I call this the "new wedgie": Rail into corner? Check. Telegraph pole framing the shot? Check. Well, sorta. It's quite small so it doesn't really form much of a frame, but it's there. I try not to mimic this "new wedgie" technique these days.. as it is becoming quite mundane, as is this location. However, the only things in this shot not mundane is that Conrail paint of that now retired NS SD50 in the lead, and of course, the great early morning light. The time is 0757 and NS 327/8 made sure you got out of bed early if you wanted to shoot either of these trains and I made sure I did. While half the time NS ran with ubiquitous and boring Dash 9's in this era, when they didn't you sure paid attention.
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Conrail
Date: 07/1/2005
Location: Paris
Province: Ontario
9 Comments | 17 Favourites
On this Sunday morning I had a plan to go to Kitchener to shoot GO 607 at the Park St Layover facility, and I posted <a href=http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=11249 target=_blank> this shot </a> a few years ago. Pleased with the result, I decided to make the drive down toward Galt to see what I would find as GEXR was dead as a doornail - The Hagey job wasn't parked at Toyota so I knew something was out on the road, finding nothing on the way I was surprised to find parked power at Galt - perhaps this is the Hagey Job Power was my initial thoughts. I spent time focusing on the details of the power when suddenly a train came backing from Killean - it was the Hagey job with three GP9's for power - at the time Trio's of GP9's were becoming rare.<br><br>On Sundays, Wolverton jobs do not run to Galt so it's up to the Hagey job based out of Toyota on the Waterloo sub to come down to grab cars. The parked power turned out to be for a CWR Train. I set up a shot for a side by side with the ex CPR station in the photo, four GP9's and a GP38-2 in beautiful morning light - followed the train (backlit) to Hagey and ended my morning on a good note :) The sound was amazing of course.<br><Br> I encountered <a href=http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=20690 target=_blank> 8249 later that winter </a> and it turned out to be one of , if not the last active GP9 as it had it's final days leased out to the Gardiner Dam Terminal Railway while all others were retired, giving it a stay of execution. Last known whereabouts shows 8249 sold in the Fall 2016 CPR auction and to J&L Consulting in January 2017.
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Canadian Pacific
Date: 9/8/2013
Location: Galt
Province: Ontario
6 Comments | 18 Favourites
If only I'd seen a train here - I'd be in heaven, but I have to resort to the kind folks who share their memories on this site and elsewhere as I was a bit too young when this all came to an end. I'm not much of a station photographer, but having spent a lot of time documenting the CSX/C&O remnants in Ontario over the years I had to make the trip to Ridgetown to photograph it and this is my effort. And guess what, it's still there and still the Signals department HQ in 2017. Will it last into 2018 is the question.. and for how much longer?For a view in 1976 see Arnold's photo <a href=http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=29370 target=_blank> here </a><br><br>And some interesting tidbits that may shed light into why all of this still exists despite being 50 miles from live rail:<br><br><ul><li>The Lake Erie and Detroit River Railway company STILL exists<br><br><li>The LE&DR Continued to meet in Walkerville, annually to conduct their AGM as little as 8 years ago<br><li>The LE&DR's office is now in Toronto at the Royal Bank Plaza (Likely just a paper office) however<br><li>The LE&DR has three directors, two in Jacksonville, and one in Montreal, a CSX Traffic manager.<br><li>CSX has only 30 subsidiaries and most are real estate or other non transportation assets, the LE&DR is one of the handful of remaining transportation subsidiaries existing as part of CSX in 2017. The Montreal division is the St. Lawrence and Adirondack Railway company and is operated in a similar manner.<br><li>It's my knowledge, aside from some land in St. Thomas (Tim Hortons) the entire right of way from St. Thomas to Windsor is still owned by the LE&DR and leased to CSX, except for the Windsor/Walkerville portions which are leased to CN. I don't think much if anything has been sold off for real estate purposes, etc. Heck, St. Thomas is still a brownfield and the turntable pit is still in place... Canadian real estate should be quite valuable to any US company - you can buy 10 houses in Deslher or Fostoria for the price of a single plot of land in Ontario.<br><li>Sarnia to Wallaceburg is also still owned by the LE&DR and leased to CSX as part of a running rights agreement.<br><li>Chatham to Blenheim - the rail, ties, and signals above the dirt is owned by CN, but the land is STILL owned by LE&DR and leased to CN - when CN leaves town, LE&DR still owns the right of way - this was the deal struck in 2006.<br><li>Chatham to Wallaceburg, should have been fully transferred to the region of Chatham-Kent and LE&DR SHOULD have no ownership interest in it of any kind - the only reason I say should is I haven't seen the contract.. and you just don't know what was agreed to.</ul><br><br>So are you surprised why so little has changed? I still wonder if there are non CSX Shareholders still owning stock in the LE&DR and if this is why it has yet to be amalgamated entirely into CSX - a descendent of the LE&DR in the Walkerville area getting dividends after 100 years - the Sarnia traffic would be worth a pretty penny. We'll see what Hunter Harrison has in store but you know he can't leave things be..<br><br>Sources for the above: Canada Gazette, Corporation annual filings (Gov't of Canada), CSX Annual filings, Canadian Transportation Agency filings (certificate of fitness 2015), press releases and financial reports circia 2006, and personal observations (maps.google.com and/or google earth, etc). I did most of this research a decade ago for an article I wrote.
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: CSX Transportation
Date: 11/9/2013
Location: Ridgetown
Province: Ontario
Comments | 8 Favourites
There's a very brief period of time where winter and fall mix, and only if we get cold temperatures and a little snow in the mid fall. Farmers have yet to remove their corn husks and a light dusting of snow has painted any bare ground white. GEXR 582 has a rather interesting mixed consist of cars today, but what appears to a multi customer train is apparently, as I am informed, for two customers only - Flochem (just to right) and Hunts Haulage in Preston.
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Goderich-Exeter
Date: 11/10/2017
Location: Guelph Eramosa Tow…
Province: Ontario
Comments | 11 Favourites
<b>We will remember them: </b> Cadets from the Conestoga College Firefighter course are lined up in sombre remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. These kids may not remember the war; those who were on battlefields during the last Great wars dwindle in numbers; but they were here in 2015, along with Soldiers from more recent conflicts. They remember. Through their memories and spirit, these kids will remember. Our children will remember. We will remember them.
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Canadian Pacific
Date: 11/11/2015
Location: Waterloo
Province: Ontario
5 Comments | 10 Favourites
This was supposed to run at night but thanks to a delay, this D9R with Hydro One's HEPX 200 is running in early morning light beside cornfields at Mansewood (Milton) Ontario. Originating at Hydro One's central stores in Pickering Ontario this load was interchanged by CN to the Southern Ontario Railway at Brantford to be delivered to Franklin Yard in Nanticoke on October 1 2017 with the final move by truck. These moves seem to happen about once to twice a year so they aren't super rare, but you have to be in the right place and the right time to see it. The other thing that complicates HEPX 200 moves are the availability of Hydro One employees who ride with their equipment - after making this move the Hydro One crew took rest, SOR ran their extra anyway but ran light power to Brantford on September 30. At 0800 on October 1 crews were ordered to meet at Brantford and they ran this to Nanticoke - Here's a photo at <a href=http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=30873 target=_blank> Caledonia</a> with more to come, eventually.
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Canadian National
Date: 09/30/2017
Location: Milton
Province: Ontario
4 Comments | 11 Favourites
It wasn't very long that CP continued to exercise running rights after the third track went in at Bayview. And if you want to see what fall colours were like in years prior, this was just run of the mill in 2006.. and I didn't even have the perspective to know how good it was. Really, this year did suck. Just look at those colours! The third track is still not in service in this photo which was taken from the Footbridge.
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Canadian Pacific
Date: 10/28/2006
Location: Burlington
Province: Ontario
1 Comments | 13 Favourites
If there's one thing the Southern Ontario Railway Hagersville division is not known for, is photos of SOR trains switching customers. Of the five or six along the line, only two are accessible or near public property, the rest are deep in large inaccessible complexes. Furthermore, the two accessible customers are switched by the Paris turn in darkness, so when in September and October the Paris turn was ordered 1500, the chances of finding a daylight run finally became possible. I had imagined this scene years prior in my drives to Port Dover and was finally able to make it happen. Thanks to RP.CA contributor Glenn Cherry for use of his convenient ladder to make this possible.<br><br>While shooting here Security were very interested in us - we're basically just beside the reserve and tensions were high - but they were Ok with our presence when we noted the train is our subject. <Br><br>CGC, the Canada Gypsum Company has been operating a Gypsum mine here since 1931 and is the last mine operating in the area, once numbering in the dozens. CGC (now part of USG) conveniently processes it on-site into wallboard for shipment to the US - the place is BUSY and if they miss a switch, the plant will shut down with no where to stockpile the product. As a result, they were also getting switched 5 or 6 days a week and were the main reason 597 continued to run while Imperial Nanticoke was shut down. This day they were so hurting for cars that upon arrival, they were met by a Trackmobile who quickly grabbed one empty and shoved it into the plant while the SOR lifted the loads and set off the empties. CGC also receives the odd car of plaster, pearlite and starch and various hoppers are noted in the tracks on north side of the building. CGC loads both Centrebeams and Boxcars for outbound shipments. CGC does not ship any outbound Gypsum by rail at this time.<br><br>Note that I did significant research into this facility including speaking to the Company directly, so if you use any of this info you can source this post. Thanks!
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Southern Ontario R…
Date: 09/22/2017
Location: Hagersville
Province: Ontario
1 Comments | 10 Favourites
A splash of colour passing by the ruins of some water powered mill, a popular prop for those shooting here. The SD45's were fairly common in trailing position before retirement.
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Canadian National
Date: 12/20/2006
Location: Paris
Province: Ontario
1 Comments | 16 Favourites
And one of my oldies - knowing this operation was on borrowed time, I convinced my Fiancee to go to Sarnia a couple days early as I wanted to shoot D724 to Blenheim with CSX geeps. Tuesday/Thursday was when D724 was ordered out of Chatham and D725 would bring some four axle power down in the morning for an afternoon run to Blenheim so what you see here is a typical Tuesday/Thursday four unit consist. I should also re-iterate this line was horribly slow, when was the last time you followed a 90 car train, 50 miles at 15 MPH? It took four hours and change, not including time building their train at Sarnia. Ordered 0600, arrived Chatham 1300. Tupperville is a neat little town, very small, one railroad customer, and has had no rail service since 2013. Rails are intact and Chatham-Kent is still looking for an operator. One day they might realise they aren't going to find someone willing to do it 'for free' and actually have to fork some money to retain rail service. But I fear it's already too late. We'll see what happens.. the final chapter hasn't been written yet.
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: CSX Transportation
Date: 08/25/2005
Location: Tupperville
Province: Ontario
5 Comments | 20 Favourites
Blast off! Just west of New Hamburg, GEXR 582 is nearly finished crossing over the Highway 7 overpass, at the time restricted to 10 MPH... track speed from here to Stratford is 55? 60? MPH. Can you imagine the sound of these four axle beauties getting up to speed? Try catching up to them - good luck, it's almost impossible unless you don't mind going all the way to Stratford or beyond. My next stop after this was St. Marys if this gives you any indication to just how fast a good GEXR hogger can peg 'er at. The line west of Stratford is considerably slower.
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Goderich-Exeter
Date: 11/6/2016
Location: New Hamburg
Province: Ontario
2 Comments | 10 Favourites
With mother nature angry as hell, winds blowing with 100 KM/h gusts, and a rainstorm over the Caledon Hills in the distance, Engr. Steve Bradley and his conductor Tyler are approaching the small town of Inglewood Ontario on the OBRY Credit Valley Explorer train. At least there was some colour to be had if you looked hard enough.
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Cando
Date: 10/15/2017
Location: Inglewood
Province: Ontario
3 Comments | 16 Favourites
Two modes of transportation meet in Snelgrove Ontario - but they are much much more closely linked than you think :) The helicopter is owned by Four Seasons Aviation Ltd. (http://www.fourseasonsaviation.com) and this facility seems to be fairly new. They are a charter airline (transportation, film, photography, etc) when I was on-site they had two pieces of equipment - this small helicopter and a much larger one inside their hangar. Give them a call if you have any aviation needs in the GTA :)<br><br> How are these two modes of transportation linked? Well think of it this way, those of us who are into Trains are also into other modes of transportation, and in some cases professionally. OBRY Engineer (and rp.ca contributor) <a href=http://railpictures.ca/author/runeight target=_blank>Steve Bradley</a> is at the helm piloting CCGX 4015 north with about 150 passengers aboard, and he along with his Conductor Tyler would safely pilot their train through the beautiful scenery of the Credit Valley. Steve is a retired Air Canada pilot, having worked for them for 37 years and took up 'piloting' on the ground with CP and later with Cando. We also have a <a href=http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=17012 target=_blank>few other flyboys</a> on this site who contribute regularly. Regardless of what chair you sit in, or wether you are in the air or on the ground thank you to our 'pilots' for safely taking care of our transportation needs, your service is duly appreciated.<br><br> Photo notes: 1/100 chance to get the Canada flag sticking out like that. Mother nature was ANGRY and the wind gusts were 80-100km/hour at that point. I will get a lottery ticket ASAP.
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Cando
Date: 10/15/2017
Location: Snelgrove
Province: Ontario
1 Comments | 7 Favourites
Don't get excited, the fall colours this year aren't this good, not even close. They purely and utterly are garbage. But last year, I found enough fall shots to keep me going for a few years. OSR's Guelph switcher is seen amongst a rainbow of fall colours the likes of which we won't see in 2017 - been waaay too warm around here. Also fair to note that the 8235 is now gone, a pair of GP9's in Guelph? forget it - for now.
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Ontario Southland
Date: 10/17/2016
Location: Guelph
Province: Ontario
5 Comments | 26 Favourites
Out of the bush, suddenly a wild train appears. Basically, that's what I see when I stand along Cardigan St - a really neat little street with a sidewalk following the rail line for a block or two packed tightly with various old and new buildings. Shooting here requires a train running south around noon or the light swings to backlit. Leading the train is the other "new arrival" #182 - but 182 was in Guelph in the first half of the 2000's and photos of it in Guelph are on this site from back then. Anyone have a precise date to when 182 was transferred to Salford? I suspect it was done to co-incide with the St. Thomas sub lease in '09.
Name: Stephen C. Host
Railway: Ontario Southland
Date: 10/17/12017
Location: Guelph
Province: Ontario
6 Comments | 9 Favourites
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