Comments on: 1225 James St, Wallaceburg. While many photographers focused on the bridge with the C&O Markings (Still there to this very day) I took a couple opportunities to record the north side of the bridge from James St. The cinder block building at right is the Wallaceburg RTC office – the smallest dispatching office in the CSX network. In 1996 CSX closed the St. Thomas division office and moved the RTC’s to 1225 James St. But it was always the Bridgetender’s building, and until 2013 a Bridgetender would have to come down from Sarnia to line the bridge when a train operated, as the RTC’s did not have this in their collective agreements hence did not operate the swing bridge. (Note: The Bridgetender would use A mechanism inside the building, akin to a large safe with dials to operate the bridge). RTC’s were on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and when this photo was taken only 2-3 trains a week operated into the OCS requiring a clearance. Prior to 2006 the usual number was about 4 to 6 movements a day, and in 1996 probably up to 8 to 10 with the majority being on the Chatham-Fargo segment of the CSX The RTC’s radio tower is clearly seen at centre, and D724 is crossing the swing bridge at left. The RTC office was abolished at the end of October 2013 and by this time CSX had already reduced it from 24/7 to running on days the trains were scheduled to run. Links to RTC recordings below! Clearance to near Chatham Clearance from Chatham to Blenheim Another clearance July 15 2005

By: Signalman

Signalman — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 13:54:41 +0000

No didn’t work the line. Signal guys are friends of mine. There were 6 towers at one time, 4 when they shut down the RTC.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 02:16:12 +0000

Aha thank you. Did you work the line? I was aware there were three radio towers.. I’d be damned if I knew exactly where they were or would even recognize them – surely might need a keen eye..

Each one did sound a little different though on the radio (different rings, etc) as per my recordings.

By: Signalman

Signalman — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 01:28:14 +0000

Great pic. The antenna is actually the CVECO Sarnia chemical valley emergency radio. The RTC tower is a few miles east of Wallaceburg.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 00:33:41 +0000

Btw tracks all still in place and sold to numbered company. Absolute radio silence since then.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 12:44:03 +0000

Thank you. Another thing I noticed is the wind speed instrument. I’d love to see the operating manual for the swing bridge in relation to wind speed. If there was an 80km/hour wind blowing I imagine lining the rails would have been much more difficult

By: Todd Steinman

Todd Steinman — Sun, 14 Aug 2016 23:09:23 +0000

You have outdone yourself again Mr. Host. Great shot

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 19:24:40 +0000

and thank you RLK2211 for the kind comment.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 18:57:07 +0000

neither. Chatham Kent is holding on to it due to this:http://www.wallaceburgcourierpress.com/2014/02/11/fertilizer-plant-possible-for-wallaceburg-area

i suspect if this plant fails to land by the rail line its done.

By: David Young

David Young — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 17:42:20 +0000

Tracks torn up through here yet, or are there still “talks” with a short line operator?

By: RLK2211

RLK2211 — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 15:29:27 +0000

This is a great shot, so much change has occurred since! You’ve captured a piece of history here Stephen.