Comments on: Fully loaded covered grain hoppers end up off line as the rails snapped like twigs in multiple locations. Although difficult to see, there are 5 cars involved. The (2) GP9RM lead locomotives were moved further south across Clarence Street to keep the crossing open, and GP9RM 4102 (barely visible extreme right) was brought in to clear 2 cars that were blocking the Fielden Ave Crossing. The RC 10771 was a 110 Ton unit and was one of the few such cranes stationed in Ontario. The semaphore in the background was then permanently yellow and always in the raised position shown. It was likely removed when Bridge 20 was taken down a few years later. Interestingly enough, Trillium who has operated the lines here since 1997 suffered a near identical 5 car derailment on April 3, 2018, almost exactly 24 years to the day.

By: Klaucker

Klaucker — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 02:28:25 +0000

Terry… sounds about right… the lift bridge #20; was removed around that time… making way for PCHR as the connection to then Robin Hood was made along the 3rd Welland Canal (today’s Weir)…

By: terry.oshell

terry.oshell — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 01:04:10 +0000

My records indicate the Fixed Approach Signal was removed January 31 1997.

By: Klaucker

Klaucker — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 20:23:15 +0000

Thanks Ronald and Steve, always great to hear additional comments… Cheers MIKE

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:16:08 +0000

There was a similar fixed indication semaphore on the Essex Terminal Railway north of the CPR diamond in 2006, which I was able to photograph. It disappeared by 2013 despite the reason for it’s existence still being present. It was a one mile marker for the home signal for the diamond.

By: RonaldB

RonaldB — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 03:08:18 +0000

Of course, I was so excited about this photo that I failed to read the full caption before commenting. Oh well, that just proves what a great photo it is.

By: RonaldB

RonaldB — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 03:06:29 +0000

This shot is full of little items of interest, including the semaphore in the background. I am guessing that it’s a “fixed indication” signal, always yellow, and I suspect that it’s an approach signal for a diamond or bridge, or other interlocked location. CP had such a signal on the Port Burwell Sub for northward trains indicating an approach to the diamond with the Cayuga Sub south of Tillsonburg. I’ve often wondered where that semaphore ended up after the track was abandoned.

By: Brundle

Brundle — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 15:12:24 +0000

I had to check out a bunch of photos. Honestly never noticed class lights on hi rail cranes before. There are pictures with them having just red and white lenses too. Can’t imagine when they would need the green lens to run in sections. Even the hi rail models for train layouts have class lights on them. Learning something new all the time. Heh heh.

By: Klaucker

Klaucker — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 12:08:53 +0000

Good ole days when CN was still engaged in Niagara

By: Brundle

Brundle — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 01:50:39 +0000

Hey, that crane has a set of class lights. Nifty.

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 16:14:38 +0000

The built date in my comment should read 1977 and not 1987.