Comments on: BCOL 4624 leads train 509 east through Wyoming, ON., back to London on a beautiful late summer day.

By: mercer

mercer — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 15:43:46 +0000

So….wherever these Formet frames are going (last I ever knew, the biggest customer was Mercedes but thats way back when)….switched out of the plant by Cando, picked up by 584, moved by 509, moved by 501, moved by ??? to etc….
Wow, Precision Railroading really does work !

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 17:44:47 +0000

Yes, formet in St. Thomas. Used to be taken on 386/7 directly to Detroit (and the same power was used on a daylight 582 to St. Thomas – 2 six axles usually) but CN sends it on a host of locals now and St. Thomas is down to one train a day (584).

Today 435 becomes 509 at London and then turns back to 434 to Toronto generally speaking.

Also consider that the Magna Karmax plant in Milton is shipping rail again so these may be in the mix. Not sure how those cars are routed but they’ll be eerily similar.

By: jknott86

jknott86 — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 17:32:34 +0000

Would it be related to 584 traffic from Formet?

By: MarcD

MarcD — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 16:54:24 +0000

These are automotive frame empties Bruce. 509 delivers them full to Sarnia and then they are sent to the US usually on 501. They return empty and 509 takes them back to London for 434/435.

By: mercer

mercer — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 15:06:41 +0000

Are those windmill flats or automotive frame empties ?
Who uses frames in the London area ? 434/435 seem to have frame flats nearly every day, and they always seem to be empty, either direction.