Railpictures.ca - Canadian Railway Photography - photographie ferroviaire Canadienne. » Marcus Stevens http://www.railpictures.ca The BEST Canadian photos on the Internet, eh? Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:06:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Images by marcus-stevens http://www.railpictures.ca/2026/%postname?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=154 http://www.railpictures.ca/2026/%postname#comments Wed, 06 May 2026 14:18:15 +0000 Marcus Stevens
This is definitely not a location I visit often, but if I’m in the area it’s hard not to pass by just incase something interesting is on the hump sets. Not a scenic location but the sound of the hump sets working hard make up for it. Typically the sets over the past several years at the north end find a SD40 on each end sandwiching a home built slug. I was a bit surprised today to find a BLE “tunnel motor” in place of the usual slug. As for CN’s SD40U locomotives, I definitely miss seeing them out on the mainline, so definitely nice crossing paths with one today.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Canadian National
Date: 04/29/2026
Location: Vaughan (Toronto)
Province: Ontario
3 Comments | 20 Favourites
This was the only time I saw this centre cab critter shootable. The shot was through the fence and today the weeds and bushes are too high on the other side of the fence to get any photos, not to mention the unit is rarely in an open space. This was St, Lawrence Cement’s Mississauga operation but now has been rebranded as Holcim. The plant is regularly switched out by CN with the little swicher used to move cars around only inside the facility.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Industrial
Date: 10/17/2013
Location: Clarkson
Province: Ontario
4 Comments | 14 Favourites
One of those locations I’ve always liked photographing over the years in the fall. Unfortunately sunny days don’t work for this angle so often I found myself making g the trip up the Guelph Junction Railway on bright but overcast days, at least for the morning northbound trip. During 2022 GEXR operations were in need of some additional power to fill in for ailing units and freshly painted/overhauled Huron Eastern GP38 3510 was quickly rerouted to the GEXR. The four exhaust stacks give away its Mo-Pac heritage. In the autumn I’ve always liked photographing the colourful trees on the hill just north of Arkel, with the train in the distance.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Goderich-Exeter
Date: 10/06/2022
Location: Arkel
Province: Ontario
Comments | 13 Favourites
Late light seemed fitting to frame the falling searchlights at Mansewood. Time waits for no one, and soon the new signals will be cut in as the entire subdivision is rapidly switching to new LED signals. I’ve spent many years photographing the area along with its constant changes, from the line itself to its motive power. Many fond memories. Even the pair of SD75’s leading train 424 will soon find their turn in undergoing a full rebuild.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Canadian National
Date: 03/28/2026
Location: Mansewood (Milton)
Province: Ontario
1 Comments | 16 Favourites
CN once had a decent variety of six axle cowl units, by the late 1990’s the small fleet of Bombardier HR616’s were gone. Then the 2000’s would claim the somewhat troublesome SD50F’s. The SD60F fleet along with the handful of demonstrator SD50AF’s would soldier on through the 2010’s until being displaced by a large group of second hand standard cab ex Oakway SD60’s. This would leave CN’s Dash-8 cowls as the last Drapers on the roster until their retirement. The four demonstrator SD50AF’s 5500-5503 were unique as they were basically SD60F’s internally in a SD50F body. This day SD50AF 5503 was leading train 382 along with an IC SD70. By this time 5503 was running short on years remaining on CN’s roster and showing its age with damaged grills, replacement hood door and a good coat of weathering. Today the CN’s variety of cowls is certainly missed by railfans.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Canadian National
Date: 11/05/2014
Location: Scotch Block
Province: Ontario
1 Comments | 18 Favourites
Growing up my family spent a lot of weekends at a campground outside of Acton. Some of my favourite memories are of evenings spent at the campfire listing to distant trains battling the Niagara Escarpment as they headed westward, along with horn echoing through the hillsides. In later years after the camping ended o spent more time exploring CN’s Guelph subdivision around Acton, my day shift ending time often allowed me to chase Goderich Exeters train 431 as it daily battled the Escarpment. This spot for me was a hidden gem often overlooked by a lot of railfans, mainly due to the sun never being in the right location to illuminate everything properly. Cloudy days were preferred here. The sound of the six axle EMD’s fighting the grade was like no other, and they often lost the battle. Unfortunately time rolls on, and CN took back the operations from GEXR and this end of the subdivision was sold to Metrolinx, with CN becoming a tenant and all freight movements this side of Acton became nocturnal. Today CN still battles the Escarpment but under the cover of darkness. Here GEXR train 431 with my favourite “Tunnel Motor” in the lead is seen heading into Acton under dreary skies.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Goderich-Exeter
Date: 02/19/2016
Location: Acton
Province: Ontario
2 Comments | 15 Favourites
Bridging the gap. So much branchline railroading has vanished from Southern Ontario over the last few decades. It is nice to see, even today that the GEXR still has some nice rural trackage left, including some old photographic bridges. This shot was taken almost twenty years ago but most of the surviving trackage still looks the same. Unfortunately it’s hit and miss as far as catching a train. When the original GEXR started up in the early 1990’s many days you could still catch at least two trains running on its lines. Later that was lowered to basically one, and today, many days out of the week no train can be found along the rails west of Stratford. Here a typical consist for the time is slowly making its way over an old road bridge and through the rural countryside west of Stratford.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Goderich-Exeter
Date: 10/26/2006
Location: Sebringville West
Province: Ontario
Comments | 12 Favourites
Yesterday’s oddball H24 brought back memories of the old CP Guelph Junction turn that up till the end of the 1990’s ran between Agincourt and the junction typically with a pair of SD40’s, often working Streetsville yard on the eastbound trip. While the branch at Streetsville is restricted to four axle power the yard lead must have been exempt. Later years found a pair of GP9’s running that turn job until it was abolished. Back then Streetsville and its industries were typically served by a local out of Guelph junction until it was relocated to West Toronto by the 2000’s. Today the power typically is just a pair of GP38’s or GP20’s. When Hornby yard was converted to a trans load facility it added much needed traffic to the local and from time to time requires larger power depending on train size. Yesterday was only the second time I have seen six axle power added for a run to Hornby. The first time it was a solo SD60, this time SD40 5920. Tho lash up guaranteed there would be no work in Streetsville and a straight shot to Hornby. After catching the westbound run I figured I’d be out of luck catching the SD40 leading the eastbound run, but it took a few hours to finally make its way back home. Unfortunately the lighting conditions deteriorated and almost got blocked by a GO train but still managed to catch the train at Meadowvale.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Canadian Pacific K…
Date: 02/11/2025
Location: Meadowvale
Province: Ontario
1 Comments | 14 Favourites
The SD70/75I was the first units I saw arrive brand new on CN’s roster. Seeing them being rebuilt now certainly makes me feel old. I remember seeing them in fresh paint, and now those that have yet to be rebuilt sport paint suffering from many years of service. Hard to believe I would be chasing these units in their original paint these days as they await their turn for a rebuild and AC conversion. After catching the train at Bowmanville my son and I wanted a decent side shot so we headed for Coubourg to catch the pair kicking up snow on a -30 windchill day passing the VIA station. It appears 5682 has received a replacement snow plow possibly from a SD40 as the old white stripes are showing through the grime.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Canadian National
Date: 02/07/2026
Location: Coubourg
Province: Ontario
1 Comments | 10 Favourites
The early years of six axle power on the GEXR was interesting with a trio of leased HLCX SD40’s coming from sister GW company CORP. The trio reportedly came equipped with Woodward traction control equipment that was a bit complicated to maintain. Nevertheless the trio lasted several years before being replaced by other SD40’s and of course the popular “tunnel motor”. HLCX 6091 was a personal favourite for me as it was a former CN SD40. A former Conrail SD40 and Rio Grande SD45 rebuilt into a SD40 rounded out the group. This day 2 of the lessors were in Goderich with the third in Stratford. The 6091 still sports CN’s dual air tanks and notched cab roof above the bell where the horn was once located. I’m not sure where these units ended up after their time on the GEXR but one story had them sold for scrap.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Goderich-Exeter
Date: 01/05/2009
Location: Goderich
Province: Ontario
2 Comments | 11 Favourites
This was a bit of a depressing trip, but one I was determined to make. If I was only able to make it a few years earlier I would have been able to catch active six axle Alco’s. Unfortunately Sydney’s era of being an industrial strong hold was over. The railroad here was barely hanging on to life as well. Today the rails are long out of service with no remaining motive power on this end of the CBNS. While nothing was moving this day we were rewarded with a large variety of motive power to photograph. The big and small Alco’s were still on the property but out of service and in poor picked over shape, most would be gone in the next couple of years. A variety of EMD’s were here as well, from GP7’s and GP9’s to a very familiar GP40 far from home. GEXR 4022 originally started life on the N&W roster. During its GEXR years it passed my view finder many times, but this would be our final encounter. It would survive on the CBNS for a few more years before finally leaving and from the reports I got it eventually was rebuilt into a Genset. Of note this day GEXR GP7 700 was also here in the yard. I don’t believe it survived very long here.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Cape Breton and No…
Date: 07/13/2002
Location: Sydney
Province: Nova Scotia
2 Comments | 9 Favourites
Living in the 1950’s in 2026. This pair sure have received a lot of attention lately, so myself and my boys were hoping luck would be in our side with a day off and a trip towards Woodstock. Thankfully FP9 6508 was out in the snow along with GP9 102. While all the attention goes to the veteran F unit the 102 deserves attention as well. EMD’s GP9 locomotive was one of the most successful models ever built and the 102 has the honour of being the very last one built when it was delivered to the Algoma Central Railway. I caught up with the pair after venturing through a cemetery in Ingesol. The power had just finished lifting 30+ auto racks from the CN interchange at Beachville and were heading back to home rails. Unfortunately up ahead switch and mechanical issues, thanks to the bitter cold slowed operations today, but the pair finally made Woodstock before darkness took over.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Ontario Southland
Date: 01/02/2026
Location: Ingersol
Province: Ontario
Comments | 22 Favourites
I’ve always like photos where the seasons collide. Unfortunately not much colour left at this spot west of Erindale, but the fresh layer of snow certainly made the shot before most of it started to melt. Plenty more to come I’m sure.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Canadian Pacific K…
Date: 11/11/2026
Location: Erindale
Province: Ontario
Comments | 13 Favourites
One of my favourite local autumn spots in Meadowvale, although I usually find shooting in the other direction works best if CP is nice enough to actually put something on the north track. This year the colours here are changing a bit slower so hopefully there is still a couple more weeks of photography here. Today 134 had a decent lash up as it headed for Toronto. Unfortunately the sun didn’t totally co operate, but still made for a decent photo.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Canadian Pacific K…
Date: 10/23/2025
Location: Meadowvale
Province: Ontario
Comments | 10 Favourites
This has long been one of my favourite spots on the Hamilton Subdivision, especially in the autumn season. Unfortunately the colours this year are a bit weak. Nevertheless some decent angles can be found here along with the old telephone poles that add a bit to photos. Here a pair of AC4400 rebuilds dig into the curve before crossing Milburough Line.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Canadian Pacific K…
Date: 10/14/2025
Location: Carlisle
Province: Ontario
1 Comments | 10 Favourites
Finally some fresh power in Streetsville. It’s been a long and predictable summer for H24 but thankfully some nice news popped up over the weekend with a friends report that fresh CPKC 3085 was sitting in Lambton yard in West Toronto. Today luck would have it facing the wrong way westbound but a stop at Ardent mill to lift three hoppers allowed a few clean nose shots. Thankfully while running errands in the afternoon I heard him clearing Hornby heading back home so I headed to the GO station for a passing shot. Eventually this paint will grow on me but at least for now it’s fresh and clean.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Canadian Pacific K…
Date: 09/29/2025
Location: Streetsville
Province: Ontario
6 Comments | 14 Favourites
CP 137 is seen digging into the slight grade at the west end of Meadowvale. Luck was on my side as the sun vanished literally 30 seconds later. Unfortunately this spot has grown in so much in recent years to the point that only the north track is shootable on sunny days.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Canadian Pacific K…
Date: 09/23/2025
Location: Meadowvale
Province: Ontario
Comments | 8 Favourites
While many railfans cringe at the thought of photographing units running long hood forward, many of us look at it as a luck chance to catch something out of the ordinary. While this train often operates with three units, for whatever reason, possibly mechanical issues, former leader 4522 was isolated and left in London yard. The other two units facing west meant today’s train would have to operated eastward long hood forward. I’ve always like CP’s small fleet of GP38AC’s, the oldest GP38’s on the roster. After hearing their clearance I headed to a new spot for me. The junction with CN’s Guelph subdivision. While a bit tight the old pole line and searchlight signals helped fill out the shot.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Canadian Pacific K…
Date: 09/07/2025
Location: London (junction)
Province: Ontario
1 Comments | 10 Favourites
A sight I definitely miss. Back in the day I was almost sick of the RS23’s as for a while they seemed to be the preferred power, especially during the recession. Always loved the way they sounded. I’m definitely looking forward to getting at least one HO scale Rapido version when they come out. Back in These days the OSR crews always let me roam around and I got to know several employees quite well. I miss those days now deeply. Here we have a pair of RS23 “rockets” running around the water track before heading back to the shop after their daily run up to Guelph and back.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Ontario Southland
Date: 08/03/2010
Location: Guelph Junction
Province: Ontario
1 Comments | 14 Favourites
Still not 100 percent crazy with the CPKC paint scheme but I guess it’s here to stay so better get used to it. Either way there is nothing like catching a fresh unit on its maiden run, you can almost smell the paint. This was a nice combo on the headend as well, with CPKC 7503 in the current paint while trailing units sport, non beaver, most recent beaver and first beaver schemes. Of note freshly painted 7492 was in DPU mode mid train as well.
Name: Marcus W Stevens
Railway: Canadian Pacific K…
Date: 08/12/2025
Location: Streetsville
Province: Ontario
Comments | 12 Favourites
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