Comments on: It’s always interesting how we can spend a lot of time in certain areas and somehow completely over look photo locations. Whenever I take my boys out railfanning I always try to find safer locations to shoot then I might do when I’m on my own, seems I spend more time watching my boys then the trains. Just part of being a parent I guess. With the highway 59 overpass severely busy and snow covered we decided to look for other options for catching OSR’s return from Coakley siding. Luckily we stumbled across the entrance to the Thames River conservation area. Although closed for the season it provides a great bridge shot in both directions that is quiet and safe. I didn’t realize there were actually two sidings located here with the second signalled one most likely used for overflow Toyota traffic. This is where the OSR headed first to drop their train. In the photo here the train has just completed lifting potash cars from the west end of the siding and is now passing the east end of Coakley siding before heading back to Woodstock yard. Definitely a location I will return to at a later date.

By: Andrew Poole

Andrew Poole — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 04:21:08 +0000

The siding where the hoppers are sitting is called W Coak. That’s usually where OSR drops their cars for CP. Empties are picked up from Coakley, which is the siding that goes under the bridge where you took this photo. Might have to visit this location now that the park is closed. Nice shot!

By: Marcus Stevens

Marcus Stevens — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 17:20:09 +0000

Yes it is. Park is closed in the winter so I just parked at the gate and walked in.

By: Stuart Streit

Stuart Streit — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 17:17:48 +0000

Hi Marcus. Is this the entrance off Pittock Park Road? The last time we tried this location the park staff would not let us walk in without paying.