Comments on: Ontario Southland train leaving Tillsonburg for Ingersoll behind GP-7 #378 approaching from the south. Photo taken from the now abandoned Canada Southern (CASO) bridge crossing both the former CN (now abandoned) and CP as well as a creek.

By: BlaneTrain95

BlaneTrain95 — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 02:03:31 +0000

Although I’m no veteran of railfanning, I am familiar with “telltales” even though this was my first encounter with them in person. As of August 7th, 2015, the telltales are still on the north side (photo caught the train heading northbound towards Ingersoll). I did catch quite a nice going away shot highlighting the telltales in a plume of exhaust smoke, but sadly it was not approved for posting.

By: Eric May

Eric May — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 01:12:56 +0000

Yes. It was on a spur that came off the north side of the CPR Fez City yard that curved south toward the Canada Malting elevator.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 23:11:30 +0000

Eric that’s from the Toronto Grey and Bruce is it not?

By: Eric May

Eric May — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 21:42:07 +0000

There is a frame of one in Toronto on the west side of Bathurst Street just north of fort York Blvd.

By: oscale

oscale — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 18:49:53 +0000

Interesting. Next time I’m down to the Till. area I will check them out. Thanks for the info guys.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 16:19:29 +0000

The south side (behind Blane) also has the actual telltales dangling as of March 2015.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 16:15:53 +0000

Dave is right – one left on the south side of the CN bridge on the GJR – and Tillsonburg has Telltales on both sides on the Port Burwell sub

By: oscale

oscale — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 12:03:01 +0000

Good work Dave. I wonder if Blane realized the history he captured in this photo. I can’t think of a single location where these exist today.

By: David Young

David Young — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 05:03:19 +0000

It’s called a “telltail”. It use to have strings hanging down over the “projection”. It’s purpose: to warn employees riding the top of cars of an impending height restriction, like a bridge. Today’s safety rules restrict employees from walking the top of cars and most of these relics have been removed. I believe there is still one standing in downtown Guelph on OSR’S Guelph Jct Railway.

By: oscale

oscale — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 02:00:52 +0000

Time for a test. What is the purpose of the steel post & horizontal projection over the tracks.