Comments on: At 15:55 on August 26, 1984 witness CP Rail extra #8737 at Blind River, Ontario. Being not familiar with this territory, can someone confirm the direction of travel? Status of the station? Somewhat surprised by this find (and given that it was expected most movements would be at night)hence unable to record that second leased unit nor the third. I believe the Budd car was discontinued about 6 years prior (?). ( Irritation: Has anyone noticed that once the passenger subsidy ends (train discontinued) that the track deteriorates, and in some situations eventually the freight carrier shows up cap in hand for public (yours and mine) money to fix the freight tracks to allow continued freight service sans passenger service?). Kodachrome by S.Danko.

By: Chris van der Heide

Chris van der Heide — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 23:50:26 +0000

The “significance” of the barrel’s colour would be what company its original contents were acquired from. Back then each oil company painted their oil drums in different colours. I think red and white was most likely Imperial Oil.

By: Mike Lockwood

Mike Lockwood — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:11:54 +0000

That would be a B&O GP38, a number of which were on lease in 1984. You can make out the ‘B&O’ on the carbody under the DB and the two radiator fan housings are also evident.

http://www.sd45.com/borosterx/pages/bo4807.html

By: awmooney

awmooney — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 02:51:01 +0000

The barrel: Who knows? I wouldn’t be able to think of anything ‘significant’ around there except perhaps it just happened to be nice and noticeable to direct some of the ‘slobs’ of the railroad to throw their garbage in there instead of everywhere else. There were stores across the street and its likely crews stopped for a bite to eat. I have no idea of the situation there when the photographer happened on the scene, but if I was there and could move it first, I would. It might have been sealed at the top, I cannot tell, and therefore too awkward.

By: headtailgrep

headtailgrep — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 01:19:38 +0000

What is the red and white metal barrel for? Surely it seems to have some significance by the way it is painted

By: awmooney

awmooney — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:56:12 +0000

Train is westward. Station was demolished some years ago, maybe 20, after one of those unimaginative tan coloured MoW buildings was erected next to it.
What a rare image for along that line!!