Comments on: On a rather dreary day in early December, CN 7170 switches the west end of the small yard in Kitchener.

By: Noe

Noe — Thu, 23 May 2019 20:28:18 +0000

I’m almost 40 years old as well. Going to turn 40 this October 7.

Yes, the last six months and even before with the departure of GEXR in Kitchener, has certainly been lively in Kitchener with the return of CN.

I have to check my photos but I believe that old brick building to the right behind the switcher was still there when I started photographing trains in 1993. The Boehmers tower was still there as well, however the wooden pens were long gone and that shack. I actually haven’t seen many photos with that shack there. Glad you were able to capture this and post Steve!

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Tue, 14 May 2019 23:44:41 +0000

For freight it’s not all that busier, at least, I don’t see how it can be..

There’s 540, 568 and 431 in Kitchener and 566 at night. 431 is Toronto to Kitchener and return, the rest are locals, basically there’s three jobs per day based out of Kitchener and one comes from Toronto to lift / set off traffic.

But if you add the passengers and the GO trains it starts to add up quickly.. up to 8 passenger trains each way per day

I have a feeling freight in the 70′s to today is probably comparable. (But back then you also had CP!)

By: Steve Young

Steve Young — Tue, 14 May 2019 21:29:48 +0000

I moved to Waterloo in 1974, I think. And I only remember seeing 1 or 2 freight trains on the “main”. I worked at a printed circuit board factory, located at Victoria and Park, for a couple summers and after school, so I should have seen or heard more trains. Based on the photos that I have seen of that line, it must be much busier these days.
PS I saw the CN local run up to Elmira lots of times, but never with my camera. Besides, it was only a switcher (Do I hear Joni Mitchell?)

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Tue, 14 May 2019 02:52:46 +0000

We’re glad you did. Jason and I are frequent Kitchener guys… I spent a crapload of time there capturing CN in the last 6 months.. let alone all that time with GEXR

By: Steve Young

Steve Young — Tue, 14 May 2019 00:20:25 +0000

Holly crap. That photo is almost 40 years old. I was 19 at the time, and only had the SLR camera for a matter of months.
I think I took a couple photos that day – just looking for anything that wasn’t a RDC. I did not realize that the Kodakchrome was not the best in that light.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Mon, 13 May 2019 21:02:25 +0000

Now i’m the old man in this conversation!! hahaha Jason’s a young pup!!

By: Noe

Noe — Mon, 13 May 2019 20:45:45 +0000

Really neat image Steve. I was literally only almost two months old when this photo was taken.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 12:24:53 +0000

(other than Shortline GEXR operating it)

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 12:24:25 +0000

Rail wise, Not much has changed here.. rail yard is exactly the same, boehmers tank is gone and so is the factory at right. Wye/Bridgeport spur at bottom left is now out of service. Thanks for sharing.