Comments on: CP 3033 rests peacefully, idling away while it awaits the return of the crew of CP TE21 as they lift Washington Mills, one of only two customers on the Chippewa Spur (and to be honest I don’t even know if Saint-Gobain is getting cars anymore). It should be noted that 3033 is resting on the Montrose Spur, and the track in the foreground is the Chippewa Spur. For those wondering about this move, it goes down as follows. After switching out Chemtrade on the Montrose, TE21 shoves any Chippewa traffic up to the junction here (on this particular night they came in light power, however). They drop one unit just shy of the switch, and then shove the rest of the train clear of the switch and then proceed down the Chippewa with one unit, long hood forward. They do their work on the Chippewa and then shove back up and tie onto the resting unit, which then leads on the return trip back to Welland. On this night, they lifted three two-bay hoppers out of Washington Mills. I’ve noticed from anecdotal observation of L562, TE11 and TE21, that a lot of Washington Mills traffic is interchange traffic from and to CN, exchanged at Southern Yard. Often there will be a 3800 cu. ft. cylindrical hopper, and gons are the norm too. Though probably not quite a true time machine shot, this Arnold Mooney shot from 1995 shows the area in a much different time. The two shots are in roughly the same location, though the trains are on different tracks. Much has changed in this time. Aside from the new hotels in my shot, the Chippewa is now restricted to four axle power, and only one unit is allowed. It’s hard for me to picture that scene from 1995 to be honest.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 12:09:27 +0000

The more I look at this effort the more I appreciate it. It is really something…!!!!

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 15:42:47 +0000

A lot of places use a cable winch or even a front end loader to push or pull cars into spots. There are ways to move cars without a trackmobile

Heck some might even still be hand bombing using a car mover (a lever type tool found in old cabooses..etc)

By: jknott86

jknott86 — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 13:02:09 +0000

Thanks guys.

Brad, I was wondering if Washington Mills might have a trackmobile on site. I can’t see one on Google maps but it doesn’t mean there isn’t one.

By: BradKetchen

BradKetchen — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 12:22:03 +0000

Very nice James! I was just looking at the Chippewa spur yesterday!! I was wondering how they handle switching the one spur facing East at Washington Mills. Do they shove/pull cars into there or run around further up on the Montrose spur?

By: mattwatson

mattwatson — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 12:13:01 +0000

Nicely done indeed.

By: RLK2211

RLK2211 — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 05:22:24 +0000

Amazing pic! Well done!!

By: jknott86

jknott86 — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 19:09:10 +0000

Thanks everyone.

Steve, more and more I am starting to realize it does take some patience. Definitely a difference between getting it, and getting it right.

Also, for anyone interested I found this shot after I posted this image (otherwise I would have linked it in the caption). Myles Roach came across CP further down the Chippewa switching out Saint-Gobain a few years back. http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=15005

By: David Thompson

David Thompson — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 18:33:12 +0000

Wow with a whole lot of superb.
2 thumbs up Jamie.

By: Noe

Noe — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 16:33:47 +0000

This is really well done Jamie.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 15:47:34 +0000

A great effort Jamie! Glad you stuck it out! Sometimes it takes years to pull something off you envision.