Comments on: Here is a view of GEXR operations in Elmira back in the spring of 2007: the local from Kitchener Yard to Elmira is captured switching an industrial facility. A recent Google search indicated that this facility is called Canada Colors and Chemicals (lots of VOCs). I cannot remember this train symbol but the power was GEXR 4046 and LLPX 2210.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 00:16:46 +0000

So be it Graydon. You’ll need great luck to know they have a car coming in.. good luck young man I don’t have the patience for that. There’s other things more worth my time

By: Railfan99

Railfan99 — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 00:12:46 +0000

Steve I really do not mind the dark. For a long time now actually chasing 584 to Elmira and back was always one of my favorite things to do even though the operation is completely nocturnal. Even here in Brampton I always really enjoyed seeing trains late at night especially in the spring when exams are approaching. Being able to just relax on a calm night outside at the GO Station always helped release a bit of the stress on me.

Although when you say a car comes online, did you mean on the train or on the internet? Yes I did see a couple of the LRV deliveries but for a while now actually I always hoped I’d someday come across 584 servicing Commonwealth. Even if I don’t get good photos I’ll still be happy I got to see the very rare operation. Not a forsure thing I will do but just an idea I had in mind.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 16:22:00 +0000

Graydon.. you are going to be there at or after midnight on the day it happens cause that’s when CN will switch it after the LRT begins operating… It’s a north facing switch so it’ll be the first switch of the job if they have a car.

.. and you have to be there when a plywood car is online and the crew switches it in.. good luck. That’s quite the intense focus my young railfan friend

It’s also very dark back there so photography will be next to impossible without big giant flashes at night.. and even then.. for THAT? Not worth it IMHO.

You’ll have better luck on the last few LRT cars being delivered then a boxcar into Commonwealth, as I see it.

By: Railfan99

Railfan99 — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 16:00:40 +0000

RLK 2211, one more quick question popped to mind. In terms of GEXR servicing Commonwealth, do they have to give WCR the notice to make sure that their Spur is clear? Do you know of anything for a railfan like me to look out for beforehand while trying to catch the operation? Next spring being that I’m out of school, I think I may set out on a mission to capture the seldom switching operation at Commonwealth so I just wanted to ask if you knew of anything to look out for beforehand. And Commonwealth takes the really long box cars right?

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 01:17:34 +0000

Here’s a photo of the Fertiliser cars in action. This night’s 582 ran north with about 20 fertiliser cars (maybe a bit more), shoved most of them into the siding at Waterloo and reversed with 4 for Elmira that night.

It was an odd move and because I worked beside the line I followed it after work then went home. I should have kept going but I suppose I had to get home for supper?

I’m also not convinced this shot is doable anymore, I believe i’m on some business’ property or a new business has been put up here.

http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=12170

By: RLK2211

RLK2211 — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 21:18:28 +0000

@Railfan99….Commonwealth generally only gets a few cars annually, usually in the spring. I’m not sure if the excess height box cars the get will fit under the LRT wires and cantilevers.
Of course the LRT units arriving on flat cars are spotted on that track for GrandLinq to move down to their own facility for unloading.

By: Railfan99

Railfan99 — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 21:08:26 +0000

Thanks for the correction RLK 2211. Another question popped to mind, did you or anyone else ever come across GEXR servicing Commonwealth Plywood? There has been some debates as to weather they ever get service at all as it appears their siding is only used by WCR for storing equipment plus the region as that is where GEXR has been setting off their LRVs for pickup and unloading. Some say it’s something like 5 cars a year for Commonwealth and the rest of the time WCR uses their siding for storage.

By: RLK2211

RLK2211 — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 20:27:39 +0000

@Railfan99 there hasn’t been a fertilizer plant in Elmira in 15 or so years, Nutrite (which became HyraAgra) closed. Any hopper heading up the Waterloo Spur would be headed for LanXess, loaded with kaolin clay.

By: Railfan99

Railfan99 — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 19:32:09 +0000

Great shot Kevin! I like 4046. I think the John Deer Pant scheme is pretty unike!

Steve, with regards to the Fertilizer and elevator company, over the past several years when I seen 584 on occasion I’d see hopper or two would go up and residence who live near the line also tell me that they’ve always seen hoppers going up on occasion as well. So do you have any idea what the purpose of the hoppers are? Perhaps one of the Chemical plants take in fertilizer on occasion to help make their products as well?

Sulco actually has 2 spurs and the spur on the east closest to the mainline has a switch on both sides of the plant but GEXR only ever seems to access the plant using the north switch. The south switch at the double track First st E crossing looks pretty overgrown.

By: Kevin Flood

Kevin Flood — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 21:36:28 +0000

Thanks guys! Chemtura, that’s what I was looking for. Didn’t know it changed name again.