Comments on: Having learned that VIA No.1 would be departing Toronto at 0900 (it’s old departure time), due to the late arrival of VIA No.2 the previous evening; I wanted to try and recreate a shot of No.1 at Falding from 2007. http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=803 Alot has changed in the 8 years between these photos. VIA has rebuilt their fleet of F40′s, making the bright yellow and grey units a thing of the past. The schedule for No.1 and No.2 has been drastically changed, with time added in an attempt to increase on time performance, resulting in a 2200 departure from Toronto. It takes 8 hours to turn the train and when they arrive 10+ hours late, we get a rare daylight treat like this. Things have changed on the CN side as well. The 6120′ passing track at Falding is now a stub ended storage track, with the south switch being ripped out about a year ago. Signal 1428 now protects a glorified location for Foreman and work trains to clear; maybe the odd hot box set out if required. Due to the short length of the siding (6250feet is considered siding length) and being located on a 0.3% – 0.8% southward grade the siding was rarely used, except by well powered and short trains. Not to mention, the siding was located 4 miles from the “double track” provided by the Directional Running Zone with CP and given the gradient, it was a risky meet location. While much has changed, some things have remained the same. The classic shot from the overpass at Rankin Lake Road still provides a clear view of a northbound sweeping through the curve, with the old siding track swinging eastwards around some rocks and a pond. The old searchlight signal remains, warning of approaching trains and protecting the old siding track. Last, but not least, it is still impressive to watch VIA’s the Canadian streak through Muskoka with 25 gleaming stainless steel coaches, diners, sleepers and domes as the engineer provides a friendly wave.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 00:54:08 +0000

Nice story and nice work. I’d love to throw this on the time machine, but we have to get someone to pull out an oldie from 1995 or earlier (Volunteer anyone?)