Comments on: On the heels of Young Mr. Host’s image at Paris Jct. is this shot of CN train #401, cutting off his train in order to pick up a piece of heavy machinery on a flatcar which awaited on a Paris Jct spur. Power is CN 2024 and 2000. Train #401 was popular with the fans, as it backed out of Hamilton to Bayview Jct and awaited a signal in order to proceed west up the Dundas. Memory fails me on the Paris activity. Did the load come down from Goderich where Champion graders were built? The Drumbo Sub was still in place at this time. Anyway, a nice piece of history and comments and any information regarding activity at Paris Jct would be greatly appreciated.

By: bruce

bruce — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 04:35:38 +0000

At one time there was a good restaurant at Paris Jct. I don’t remember the name of it but it was full of railroad stuff. You could a window seat and watch the action.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 22:49:50 +0000

Gang – word on the street is Paris Jct is being re-done… starting VERY soon (switches have just been delivered on-site). Apparently plant is being moved 300 feet to the west…

By: James Adeney

James Adeney — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 23:45:25 +0000

That’s quite the catch Arnold. By this time, anything making a lift at Paris was rare. The truck was indeed built in Paris at the Wabco plant, which was originally Adam’s Graders. There were two sizes built – 35 and 50 ton. On occasion we’d get overflow work from the plant in Peoria, IL and build 100 tonners. I worked there for a year starting in 1975, and on my last day got to ride one around the test track. I think the operator thought he was driving a Ferarri – man did we fly!

By: Cdntrainphotog

Cdntrainphotog — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 11:06:20 +0000

A little research on the Forum at Hankstruckpictures.com gives us the answer. The rock truck pictured is a WABCO that was built in Paris. Thanks to “Hanky” who drove such beasts in a mine in British Columbia and Dan who hauled parts to the plant in Paris when he drove for Cronin Transport which was owned by CN. Large machines were built in Canada in those days, not imported as complete. Euclids were built in Guelph and Terex in London. Champion built graders in Goderich, I remember their official name being CHAMPION ROAD MACHINERY. My question to the Train Guys – would this load have moved to the west via Toronto?

By: MrDan

MrDan — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 18:51:01 +0000

Hmm, could be from the plant Terry mentioned then, I’m not up to speed on all the former heavy equipment manufacturing in S.Ont

Arnold, I believe Champion made motor graders in Goderich, not sure what else (probably other rubber-tired machines, if anything). They were at least operating until the CP Goderich Sub closed in 1989, if not longer – I remember reading one of the final trains had some Champion graders on it.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 13:08:41 +0000

MrDan: Do you know what all Champion made and what timeframe they were in business at Goderich? Just curious.

By: terry.oshell

terry.oshell — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 11:38:38 +0000

Great shot, I recall a heavy truck manufacturing assembly plant, Wajax or Euclid located on the spur, just north of the Market St. crossing. There were some large trucks lifted from that plant. I worked in Paris as a Signal Maintainer at the time this photo was taken.

By: MrDan

MrDan — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 02:31:48 +0000

Nice lashup! The rock truck looks like a CAT 769C, which probably wasn’t manufactured in Goderich (Champion never made rock trucks). It could have been heading to or coming from one of the local Cat dealers in S.Ont – Crothers in Toronto for example).

By: headtailgrep

headtailgrep — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 02:21:32 +0000

Wow – what a great shot – I notice the former Mainline is still in place with a grade crossing – there is a large manufacturing operation at the corner of Grand River and Silver St – not sure what was there 35 years ago though, perhaps it may be related?