Comments on: CP crews work to clear a big derailment that happened between Galt station on the Galt Subdivision and the curves before the westbound Orrs Lake mile sign in winter 1986. The photo was taken with permission from the homeowner whose property backed onto the line. I don’t know much about the derailment itself, so any further information is appreciated.

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 21:04:05 +0000

You have been posting some great photos! Keep them coming, and don’t be shy with the Work Equipment shots! ????

By: Train Dude

Train Dude — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 20:51:15 +0000

Thank you Paul too for the information on that hi-rail wrecking crane.

By: Train Dude

Train Dude — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 20:50:32 +0000

Thank you Ronald for all the particulars about this derailment. That is cool you were working on the clean-up and very neat that your uncle was there too.

By: RonaldB

RonaldB — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 03:35:30 +0000

The Pettibone crane I would add, was virtually useless at this type of event.

By: RonaldB

RonaldB — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 03:34:23 +0000

The train that derailed was 916. The mess was not too far off the west end of the bridge over the Grand River. If I recall, it was almost all auto parts cars on the head end that derailed.

By: RonaldB

RonaldB — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 03:31:23 +0000

I was the Conductor on the CP “big hook” out of Toronto. We went down on 904 the day6 before & got the call for the hook at 0400. I happened to have a camera with me & I have a number of close up pics. I wandered westward at one point to try the food on the CN London big hook which was working the west end as part of a reciprocal deal after CP decommissioned the Windsor hook & wrecking train. If I recall, we were out for most of a week. I found out years later that an uncle I had never met (as of that time) that was a carman on the CN London hook. I may have walked right by him more than once in my time spent there.

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 14:43:57 +0000

Very nice! That CP orange/red sure stands out in the drab late winter scene.
The mobile hi-rail wrecking crane is CP 414040 a Pettibone model 260, 130 ton capacity, serial number 1501, built in 1985. Just about 1 year old!