Comments on: On a sweltering hot day the crew of L551 have all the doors open to ensure both man and machine do not overheat as they head into Hamilton with Michael DaCosta as conductor. I posted about this hill in a prior photobut fans of Bayview from afar might not recognize this location – this is the ‘new’ hill I talked about that was created after the triple tracking project completed into Hamilton. This nice vantage point was basically a dirt mound for years as the project continued, but in 2020 was seeded to grass making it official. This is the result, while only a handful of freights pass this spot, it’s going to be a nice spot to get Amtrak, VIA and GO in the future as well, so as long as it does not grow in too much (it will, eventually). There were three of us on the hill and I was the only one crazy enough to not have a cold beverage in hand, it was a hot hot hot day.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 21:15:23 +0000

You guys were smart with your cold drinks hahah

thanks for helping with the journalism part – i don’t take notes, this basically becomes my notes when I post the photos.

With these GMD1′s you had to strike when the iron was hot, when they were solo. It wasn’t often two ran solo.. anywhere

By: Mark MacCauley

Mark MacCauley — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 13:32:41 +0000

Unfortunately the weeds are already making this angle seasonal, to a degree.

Also worth noting, this was during the “COVID recession” (for lack of a better term). 551 at the time was handling the Pardkale yard traffic and some of the Hamilton traffic. The previous trip down to Hamilton killed 4726 (Notch 8 from Hamilton to Waterdown rd iirc), which is why all that was left were the two GMD-1s. Not long after this shot a GMTX was added.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 16:48:35 +0000

Also signal protects bayview jct eastbound. Hamilton jct is just behind me