Comments on: Kids heading down the hill toward fishing wait as a pair of GEXR geeps give ‘er with all their might to climb the 2.8 percent grade up the hill to the Goderich station from the Compass Minerals salt mine (far background). With 14 loads on the drawbar, it was a bit of a struggle, but no match for this 5000 horsepower pair which sounded amazing climbing the hill. Not many GP40′s left on G&W around here and I’m surprised this one has survived as long as it has, most have been traded in. Compare to Arnold’s shot from a bit down the hill which is now overgrown, at least you can still get the CP Goderich sub in the photo from the HWY 21 overpass. No place to park though, beware.

By: Noe

Noe — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 13:37:46 +0000

Very nice view Steve. Yes, I was going to say that parking would be an issue around there!

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 05:01:46 +0000

If the salt cars are all over the railway nothings moving. Might be a bunch stored in Seaforth too, which is another sign!

By: jknott86

jknott86 — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 02:49:17 +0000

Interesting. I would have (and clearly did) assumed the opposite.

2073 was at the shops – I realized I should’ve specified after I’d pushed the post comment button.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 02:04:27 +0000

Its the opposite: I heard they aren’t loading railcars at the moment. when all the hoppers are in town its because they arent loading and they are stored at home base waiting the call to duty. When loading the majority should be out on the road.

Of course if this changes then the mass exodus begins.. I was also told Compass loads based on customer demand but more importantly depends on what they are mining: it changes depending on quality of product in current stream. rail use tends to be dirtier / salt with more impurities and the pure stuff goes to ships.

2073 is the only other engine on GEXR aside from these two pictured. Was it working?

By: jknott86

jknott86 — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 01:27:49 +0000

Things seem busy there in the lead-up to winter. I was in the area last week for a few days for work – dozens of hoppers down at the port and dozens up by the shops. 2073 was kicking around too for anyone curious about those sorts of things.