Comments on: CN was still running a few trains through Toronto’s downtown in 1979. CP also brought trains through.

By: Mike Lockwood

Mike Lockwood — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 03:54:03 +0000

That is just awesome, Steve! Great series of shots, too!

CN 570 has operated at least twice in 2015 from Oshawa to Aldershot via the Kingston/Oakville Subs. March 21st behind 4768, 4713, 7069 and May 18 behind 5712 solo. Both were solid multies, 50-70 cars.

In the mid-2000′s 149 was a regular via downtown back when they were by-pass trains (carried Arvaida aluminum ingots on the head end lifted at Belleville) had no work at BIT.

In the late 90′s I recall that 274 was a regular via downtown bringing empty multies back to Oshawa from the US, and the odd 271 or 277 could also be seen. In the early 90′s 403 was a regular at night out of Oshawa, and I used to see the EB ‘Laser’ all the time in the mid-afternoon from my old highschool.

By: Dave Brook

Dave Brook — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 22:53:16 +0000

In those days, 415/416 went through to Oshawa and the Don Yard in the dark. Sometimes others eg 392/393 would be sent through to bypass Mac Yard. KO27 with two GP40-2′s was regular to Mimico.

By: JP

JP — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 00:45:30 +0000

Excellent shot Steve. The standard cab units and the MLW switcher in the distance look great.

By: Steve Young

Steve Young — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:42:31 +0000

I visited this site a few times and this was the only time that I saw full fledged freight trains in the area. I would see continue to see switch jobs and locals, though.
Thanks for the update. I am very surprised to learn that trains still operated through the downtown for so long.

By: Daniel Odette

Daniel Odette — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 07:02:59 +0000

CN used this section regularly until the early 2000s. I know 133, 334, 335 regularly showed up through through here at that time. I believe CN 148 and 149 also ran this route frequently until BIT was built. 332 and 333 I know made regularly appearances here until early 2008. September 23rd, 2012 was the last day a regular scheduled full size freight train passed through here. On August 4th, 2014, CN had to detour several freight trains through here due to a washout on the Halton Sub. However, that has been the only time since that a freight besides CN 543 (weekly Portlands local) has come through here.