Comments on: Prior to the advent of GO Transit in May 1967, CN operated two morning and two evening commuter trains between Toronto and Hamilton. Here we see one of the evening trains easing through Bayview on the home stretch to the James Street North station. GMD1s were regular power on these trains.

By: First954

First954 — Sat, 07 Sep 2019 19:53:04 +0000

At that time period, there had to be a “buffer” car between the locomotive and coaches. The baggage car is probably empty and just along for the ride. There are many photos showing express box cars being used in this role.

By: CN9317

CN9317 — Sat, 07 Sep 2019 18:42:26 +0000

Substitute consist for the Niagara Falls Budd cars?

By: CN9317

CN9317 — Sat, 07 Sep 2019 17:36:41 +0000

Having studied the photo, Bruce, I don’t think the train is taking the diverging route to the Dundas sub…There is also a photo of a similar train in the CNR Diesel Locomotives book (volume 2, page 71) which is described as a “westbound local”, without a train ID. The CN summer 1964 timetable lists No. 37 as a non-stop schedule to London which would have been by Bayview around 1730 and Railiner 647 to Niagara Falls which was due in Hamilton at 1745…however, your informed view is likely better than my educated guess!

By: mercer

mercer — Sat, 07 Sep 2019 15:45:13 +0000

Something’s just not right .
Why would we have a full baggage car on a commuter? From what I recall, the smaller of the 2 Hamilton commuters usually had 3 coaches ( the other one had 6 coaches ).
Also, it appears to me this guy is not taking the route to Hamilton but is turning toward the Dundas Sub. Now maybe he would back into Hamilton so that the engine would already be turned for the next morning’s trip, but that seems a little odd to me.
Also note the CTC is about to be implemented, the cantilever behind the train has the signal heads turned away and they don’t have the target plates yet.

By: Jacob Patterson

Jacob Patterson — Sat, 07 Sep 2019 14:31:26 +0000

I’d take this over GO any day.