Comments on: 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 axle 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.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Sat, 11 May 2019 19:13:07 +0000

Thanks Bruce – great info. The track was in great shape in many places, hardly seemed like a Branchline by looking at it.

By: mercer

mercer — Sat, 11 May 2019 17:13:58 +0000

When I went to T&E service for C&O in spring 1978, everywhere north of Dresden curve was 30mph 85-lb. jointed rail. Every few hundreds there were “by pass” rails ( for lack of the proper terminology) to allow the rail to expand in the hot summers of SW Ontario. Otherwise you’d have sunkinks galore. But a few locations were without those and derailments due to kinking were common.
In 1980/81 they finally did something about it, brought in 1/4 mile strips of welded relay and did such a good job of reballasting etc., you could really go 40mph in a lot of places.
The ‘S’ curves just south of your location were good for 40, right up until the Dresden curve.
When I left in 1996, things were going downhill fast, expedited by the introduction of 6-axle power in the early 90s.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 02:14:51 +0000

Glad you like it, but I’ve saved my best for last. Some day, some year, I’ll pull it out.

By: jknott86

jknott86 — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 14:16:40 +0000

Insanely jealous of this one. This is pretty incredible!

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 17:09:39 +0000

Nope. She stays with her parents, I go for drives Still do it to this day but usually not for very long – with the Kids we usually are busy visiting aunts/uncles or spending time at Canatara park.

By: BradKetchen

BradKetchen — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 13:37:09 +0000

Nice location..just down the street from Uncle Tom’s Cabin. 4 hours with the missus? Impressive!

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 02:53:40 +0000

LOL. I posted in one of my other recent sarnia shots my in-laws story who live in Sarnia.

http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=30919

Needless to say I dont mind a visit. And going two days early meant four days in Sarnia, She didnt mind at all.

By: Dave Brook

Dave Brook — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 01:20:56 +0000

You convinced your fiancée to go to Sarnia??? So miracles are real!!!

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 23:59:05 +0000

Note: 50mm f/1.8 used.