Comments on: The CN SW1200 was all but extinct on the CN roster by the time I picked up the camera in 2001 – but only three years prior I was watching them switch Hamilton Yard in the summer. Like dipping into a time machine, 7304 was set off at CN Parkdale Steel Centre in Hamilton and here she rests – hopefully to be put to work and giving a few others the chance to dip into the time machine. It’s 2014, right and not 1998? I’ll take it. Note: This facility is shootable and accessible from public property on Parkdale Ave North. Note 2: It’s funny that when Colin Arnot posted his shot a few years ago on rp.ca, I was thinking to myself if I ever go to Edmonton again I would seek out that 7304

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 22:43:31 +0000

911 is now in service at Parkdale

By: BradKetchen

BradKetchen — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:13:13 +0000

Steve..this one you posted is replacing it? http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=23809 Btw..the Burford spur could use one of these.. in re-reading here..wonder how that trackmobile is working out.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 00:54:36 +0000

Apparently SSRX 911 is enroute to the Metals Centre in Hamilton – could 7304 be having mechanical trouble? Should be on 330 and arriving in Hamilton tonight.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 13:58:49 +0000

Strathy: Sir can you comment on whether or not 7304 has a two piece control stand or a single piece? Also how responsive is it? Does it start to pull and load immediately upon moving the handle or is there a delay?

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 21:52:25 +0000

Strathy, thank you for joining us and for chiming in. This engine is a bit of a time machine – there are only two others on the CN roster – both at mac yard, and as you know, you can’t ‘get in’ there for a photo – it’s not accessible from public property.

Can you comment on when your engine is most likely to be out working? And what are the chances of seeing it on THIS side of the steel centre in daylight (Parkdale ave side)?

When I see jobs working the Steel Centre – Trackmobile or 7304 works the ‘west’ end and CN yard jobs from Aldershot switch the east (parkdale ave side) end.

I hope you guys like the engine – I’ve seen switching with the Trackmobile and it was slooooooooooooow…

Thanks again Sir!

By: Strathy

Strathy — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:46:51 +0000

I work at the steel center that uses this engine. I am also one of 8 guys certified to operate this engine as an engineer. We use it constantly day and night. As we run 24/7. Its a great machine and does a lot better then the railking/trackmobile or shuttlewagon that we have used in the past. Just this morning my engineerand i on the ground as switchman did a 42 car pull with it. 9 of those were loaded slab cars. 3 loaded plate cars and a mix of empty covers and box cars. Its really over kill for what we need it for. But great all the same

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 00:17:28 +0000

Gents, I love how the same people chimed in nearly a year later, after this engine entered service, after I posted a photo of it working:

http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=20713

We Hamilton fans seem to be a loyal bunch, eh.
Great stuff.

I figure this engine has been working a couple months though.. don’t know exactly when but it was heard poking around not long after it got on the property in late May or early June. And the crew would have to be trained on it.. no doubt. Angelo anything heard from the SOR crews that go down there on when they may have started using it?

My limited observations over the last year indicate the Steel Center crew switch cars in the late afternoon, previously with the trackmobile (which was a very slow affair) and now with 7304. Thinking about it, I figure the Steel Centre crew’s job is to perform work connecting the loading of cars at the Steel Centre, shipping them out on 555, and placing cars for the next days work, hence a fixed schedule switch crew.

Just my two cents – corrections and thoughts always welcome.

By: Stuart Streit

Stuart Streit — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 16:37:59 +0000

I noted that 7304 was rebuilt in 1987 and repainted with the cab sides painted black. In September of 1991 7304 was involved in a head on collision with ONR FP7 1517 in North Bay Ontario. For a detailed account of the incident go to: http://www.uwyo.edu/rgodby/trains/northlander/northlander_collision.htm

As shown, for some reason, Pte St. Charles employed orange paint on the cab sides following repairs.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 01:35:20 +0000

Thanks Angelo – great stuff. I’ve seen two daylight trains switching Empire Steel – so more jobs are heading this way to do switching other than the nocturnal 555. This was in the spring..

By: angelok

angelok — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 22:09:09 +0000

Triple 5 set this out on thursday night/friday morning. They blocked me for a couple minutes doing this move . I guess the trackmobile isnt earning its keep at the steel centre ! This was the last thing i expected to see them set off that night.