Comments on: I posted another image of this little caboose hop a couple of years ago, but the uniqueness of the operation deserves second look. Here are CN 70-tonners #30 and #40 returning to Charlottetown from Souris with their wooden caboose in tow. Like a scene from the steam days, this caboose actually has lantern markers on the end. The bridge is over the mouth of the Midgell River, as slow and peaceful as the Island itself. Beyond is St. Peters Bay, and beyond it, the Gulf. Despite the 60 lb (I think) rail, the little train really opened-it-up along this stretch of track; memory fails me but judging by the whiffs of exhaust they might have reached 25 miles per hour. It is a real shame railroading days like this are long gone, and I feel regret for not catching more activity on the Island, but in honest recall know I did the best I could in the time I had. Not much happened out there. I had gone down to the Shop in Charlottetown early morning to see what time the first train to Souris in 3 months (empty reefers for potatoes) was going to be leaving and it had already departed, pre-dawn. So I was able to meet it in Souris, and grabbed a few photos of it on the way back. I don’t know why I didn’t plan better, but like many of us amateurs of the day I allowed myself to run out of film. Mad dash to a store fetched me something called “3-M” rather than Kodak. It had to do. Actually, turned out not that bad. The camera, btw, was an old Pentax K-1000. CN 1750 and 1786 departed PEI by ferry with the last train on the 28th of December, 1989. Now, the old line is mostly the Confederation Hiking Trail. Still good enough to make me want to go back. The locomotives? Both #30 and 40 were retired by 1983, with #30 going to the rail museum in Delson, Quebec, in 1984.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Wed, 13 May 2026 13:40:31 +0000

YES!!! You did, Sir !!! Remember you stopping by while I was out in the garage; and I was very grateful. MERCI !!!
It was slightly disappointing that the subject matter was concentrated in the center of the photo, which meant it was in the page fold…..too bad it wasn’t a three page fold-out like it was the center of Playboy )
But still, I really enjoyed seeing it.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Wed, 13 May 2026 13:09:25 +0000

Docta do you have a pic you can share? I’d love to see what it looks like now

I should tell the story – back in 2018/9 a top notch (one of the best) Marketing and Design firms based in Montreal who was running the program for CN 100 reached out to us on railpictures.ca looking for photographs for their book. I told them I can’t speak on behalf of everyone but they’re free to send ‘requests’ through Railpictures.ca contact photographer and negotiate as needed.

They sent a number of requests through and a few photos made it into the product. I can say though they were very specific about what they were looking for – absolutely did not have the ‘railfan’ in mind when making the book, and I don’t blame them. They asked me if anyone has a certain locomotive “uncoupled” for example. A specific number too… a needle in a haystack…

Not the first book product that was encouraged through this site, but the fact remains, this photo has a giant centrespread and it made me really happy to see this photo’s placement so prominently.

Arnold did I not get you a copy of this book too??? (which a friend who is Mayor of a town got from CN back then for free – I knew right away who needed it!)

By: awmooney

awmooney — Wed, 13 May 2026 12:53:06 +0000

Many thanks, Terry !!! Makes my morning.

By: terry.oshell

terry.oshell — Wed, 13 May 2026 12:38:59 +0000

I always enjoy seeing this photo featured on the Top Row. A great image and a well deserved acknowledgment by CN in their 100th Anniversary book.

By: DoctaPinklaces

DoctaPinklaces — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 04:57:44 +0000

I used your map coordinates there and realized I was only one block away. It was beautiful. Went out for a week end of August and had the most beautiful weather you could ask for. Nice change from Onterrible that’s for sure

By: awmooney

awmooney — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 23:26:58 +0000

Most interesting!!! Still some traces of the railroad in the odd places. Nice that seeing that little bit of land reminded you of this pic. Bet it was nice on the Isle. I hope to get back there next spring. )
Thanks for your note.

By: DoctaPinklaces

DoctaPinklaces — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 23:18:26 +0000

Arnold, I was PEI this summer and ended up driving by this spot and immediately clicked it was where you shot this. All these years later and you can tell a railway once ran .

By: awmooney

awmooney — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 22:55:52 +0000

I should mention, finally, that this particular scene was featured as a two page spread in the large hardcover book, “CN 100 Legacy” which was published for CN employees this past year.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 00:04:28 +0000

I often think of all the railroad scenes we will never see again. Thanks for your support, Pierre. Heck, I even miss Fort Erie. )

By: pierre fournier

pierre fournier — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 23:48:08 +0000

Scenes like this we,ll never see again on PEI.