Comments on: It looks like “family day” at the old STLH Woodstock, as youngsters are being assisted up and down in order they get to enjoy the view out of a locomotive cab. The sign should date this photo, as STLH was a brainwave of CP to create a separate identity for the Eastern Operations of CP beginning in late 1996. The idea floundered, and STLH was absorbed back into CP on Jan 1, 2001. Eight months later this sign is still up, a testament to another odd-ball era in railroading. CP 1505, a GP7, was retired by the end of 2011.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 13:20:21 +0000

Never did get up the CN Tower. Almost did a few years ago while walking in downtown T.O. with the gf (went to T.O. by GO for the day) and when I found out it was $30 ea or some crazy price just go to the top….oh well…….heck it was far cheaper just to ride to Toronto.

By: BradKetchen

BradKetchen — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 10:58:08 +0000

@awmooney I think for me it was going up the CN Tower and looking at the Railroad yards below that looked like ‘train sets’. Funny I did have a camera back in 1995 when I was 15. My Dad’s old Agfa where i’d shoot mostly at Clarkson, Bala and Aberdeen yard near your neck of the woods. These days, just an Android HDR. YOu’re right, any camera is better than no camera. And no, I never got into gaming.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 12:21:51 +0000

Thanks, Brad. We were almost all ‘into’ trains as little kids after seeing toy sets. But the modern era has most kids sliding over to video games and all the other electronic stuff now.
My Dad used to take me to Stuart St, or if he didn’t have much time, after supper up to Freeman Station (we lived near Brant & Lakeshore..or Water St as it was called back then) and I used to be in awe of the smoke and noise and huge wheels and everything else that was exciting. But we did not have a camera back then that was worth a damn..:o(

By: BradKetchen

BradKetchen — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 11:57:09 +0000

Funny as I just wondered about the CM&Q aquisition (why’d they sell that line in the first place?!) and if they will retain CM&Q as a potential separate identity/tax write off kind of thing not unlike StL&H or the Kawartha Lakes Railway. Gives me a warm feeling the kids were into trains!! Very nice Arnold!

By: Snake2

Snake2 — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 18:39:28 +0000

STL&H was created as a possible spin off….at a time when CP saw their future was in Western Canada commodities.

By: Noe

Noe — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 14:54:50 +0000

Neat shot Arnold. I remember that sign too. The one in Galt lasted several years after the STLH era ended as well. Also miss seeing those yellow CP boxcars in Woodstock.