Comments on: Returning to Toronto from the scheduled Wednesday Niagara and back run for the fans, CN’s oil fired #6060 is seen just west of the Welland Canal bridge in this dull-day photo. It is one of the very few images I managed to shoot from the so-called “Bum Bridge”, as the locals dubbed it. Seems this was a gathering place for hobos and the like back when the CN had a two track main thru Thorold. This bridge supported the “down” track, running westward as it crossed over the main to join the Grimsby sub on the north side. The ‘up’ track still exists, cutting off the Grimsby sub at mile 9.49 south track switch in front of where the old Merritton station used to be. As far as I can recall the bridge in which I am shooting off of was removed a few months after this shot was taken. The Thorold line to Fort Erie lost its’ significance when the CN Stamford sub was opened in 1970, thus became the single track it has been this past 40 years, and now exists only as a line for Trillium to access St. Catharines.

By: DoctaPinklaces

DoctaPinklaces — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 02:19:12 +0000

Interesting enough is the tracks are still in place over on the north track side. And I see a tunnel very unlikely honestly. I think they should rebuild Bridge 10 and use it as a detour route if the canal prevents them from crossing.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 12:48:50 +0000

Yes!!! I had forgotten about that shot, but I knew exactly where it was when I first saw it back then. One of the things I enjoy about searching out the past is knowing just what that old foundation and many others like that once was part of, and why. Now I get to thinking what is going to happen if they ever decide a tunnel under the canal here is the only way to go…………

By: DoctaPinklaces

DoctaPinklaces — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 22:31:36 +0000

I shot from here a few years ago…much different http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=19035

By: awmooney

awmooney — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 21:31:22 +0000

Sorry, Doc. I’m old. but not THAT old. ) I don’t know when the last train moves over this bridge took place. Perhaps Bruce Mercer would know, if he is still keeping an eye on this site.

By: DoctaPinklaces

DoctaPinklaces — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 21:20:52 +0000

Wow!!! Do you have any photos of anything on top of the bridge? I’ve yet to see one