Comments on: My reason for this picture was inspired by Ian Malenfant-Picard’s recent posting of CN 4715 (05/11/2025, search photo 58127). With over 36.5 years between the 2 photos, although the 4715 still looks very much the same, there are a number of small differences. If you look back through my postings, I have taken a number of pictures at this location. But, none look like this. The track has been groomed to perfection. Trains were rolling by so very smoothly, even on the elevator track. As I have mentioned in my other captions, as great as this looked, by November of the same year, the grain elevators were torn down. By early 90′s, no more speeders parked in the siding. Replaced by hi-rail trucks. GP38′s by this time became the dominant power. In just 5 years (87/92), the face of railroading on this branchline went through quite a change.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 20:54:01 +0000

We value our early photos no matter what.

By: L. Parks

L. Parks — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 20:47:24 +0000

I may be wrong, I think in the next, how many years . . . ??? We will have trains driving by with no one at the helm. We are already driving them around using remote control now (by belt control, or, pushing in the middle or end of train). So, for a 20′ish person, by the time they near their 60′s, maybe , trains of some types, will need no crew. That 60′ish person is probably going to value the pictures taken when they were younger. When trains still had crews (and cabs for the crew). My personal opinion, things could work out completely different.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:47:58 +0000

I think all of us think like that, Ian. I am disappointed I missed the Steam Era. But the bright side is; you hopefully will still be around when most of us have tipped over.

By: Ian Malenfant-Picard

Ian Malenfant-Picard — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 07:01:39 +0000

Like most GP38-2s, 4715 looked even more beautiful back then. Even though it got repainted only 10 years ago, its no match for some fresh zebra paint and original Canadian specifications… Seeing these pictures makes me disapointed for being born so late… But what can you do!

By: L. Parks

L. Parks — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 01:22:42 +0000

This link http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=47596 leads to a photo of the 4715 (then as the 5515), it is from June/86, with zebra stripes. So, I will offer, good job wash rack guys, spiffy 4715 . The 4709 in behind is a different story, I have a note showing that I saw it in stripes for the first time on Mar.20/88. I’m guessing it must have gone for painting some time in the late winter/early spring??
LOL, with how the stripes end up looking these days, they do look like they have had a few washings of acid rain.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 23:08:47 +0000

Oh my.. look how fresh they look…

I wonder if they’ve seen anything other than rain to wash them since. How many years of acid rain??.

By: L. Parks

L. Parks — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 21:06:55 +0000

Having read through my notes from this time, here’s how things were headed at that time. Three days before, on July 25th, I photographed the 9167 leading for the last time, it came through town a few more times in August, but, never leading. On July 29th, the day after this photo, I took pictures of the 4808, 9198, 4705. The last time seeing and taking a photo of an F7b. There were a couple more instances of painted window B’s but, the 9198 was the last proper B. It was literally down to a few weeks left to get those photos in.
Thanks for your comments fellows.

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 16:44:22 +0000

Great photo capturing railroading as it once was.
Those section guys in Redwater really took pride in their territory. Clean, neat, and, as you stated, ‘groomed to perfection’. Even the blue 50 lb. spike kegs are stacked with care.
The track motor car in the scene is a nice touch.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 13:22:58 +0000

Love those elevators. Reading your commentary; I have to say the same about the change in so many locations as small yards and stations are razed and we are left with just a basic main line. Good for business, disappointing for photographers.