Comments on: Clean ballast, fresh concrete, and newly converted hump power are all present in this view inside CN’s Toronto Yard, their new state-of-the-art freight classification yard opened north of the city on acres and 1000 acres of former Vaughan Township farmland. CN S13′s 8607, 8624 and slug B3 glide over the crest of the dual hump, past the dual hump office, hump signals and access roads. The original hump power, 8600-series MLW S13′s weighed more than the standard 8500-series units, were equipped with newer GE 752 traction motors, and were equipped with hump controls and some other features including the ability to power chopped-down slugs that were converted from retired MLW S3 switchers. Bounded by the former hamlets of Edgeley, Concord, Maple and Sherwood, Toronto Yard was part of CN’s “Toronto Bypass” project that diverted freight traffic north of the city via the new Halton and York Sub connections, and out of congested Toronto, thereby freeing up track time for GO Transit to start up commuter operations and take over part of CN’s Mimico Yard for their own facilities (Willowbrook Yard). Renamed MacMillan Yard in 1975, it continues to serve an important part of CN’s network today, albeit with newer technology and hump power. The S13-slug-S13 sets eventually gave way to GP38-2′s and newer GMD-built slugs, and today SD40-2 variants and slugs. Original photographer unknown, Dan Dell’Unto collection slide. More Toronto/MacMillan Yard photos: C Yard tracks: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=51354 Aerial view: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=33864 South end: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=52917 Departure/Arrival leads: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=52621 Diesel Shop (outside): http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=1670 Diesel Shop (inside): http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=20758

By: Dave Brook

Dave Brook — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 13:57:21 +0000

The Dual Hump tower is to the right, far higher between the retarders.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/43%C2%B049'19.0%22N+79%C2%B030'51.8%22W/@43.821933,-79.5150407,198m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d43.821932!4d-79.514397!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTAyOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

By: MrDan

MrDan — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 12:46:06 +0000

Thanks for the correction Dave, the diagram I was looking at was a bit unclear.

By: Noe

Noe — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 14:44:33 +0000

Excellent scene. It’s cool how fresh everything looked then.

By: Dave Brook

Dave Brook — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:12:40 +0000

That’s actually the North Switchtender’s Tower, which looked after all the power switches from the Receiving yard to the hump pullbacks, Conport, which is behind and left of the power, and off the shop tracks.