Comments on: The day before this was taken, every foamer in Ontario was out shooting what we all thought would be the final train on the former NS&T trackage in St Catharines, Ontario. Well, an oil leak on 1859 gave us an extra chance at getting those final shots in. On March 1st, 2024, the final train was sent down the Grantham Spur, and in true Merritton Madness fashion, RTC held them so they could meet with a CN freight, that being CN 421. The Niagara faithful, and other enthusiasts got to watch this sight once more, as they also met with a GO train just as they departed Merritton one final time. This was a tough move to watch, as since I have memories, I watched Trillium on this line. It’s what got me into the hobby. This line saw a few trackmobile movements since, moving boilers from Trenergy, but since then it’s been nothing more than a collection of weeds.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:17:48 +0000

Thanks for the update Docta,

I’m curious on the source of the name “east chester yard” – i’d only heard that name after the line was abandoned – it was just a run-around for as long as I’d been going up there.

https://ontariorailwaystations.wordpress.com/home/niagara-region-welland-lincoln-counties/st-catharines-railway-stations/

The stop in N&ST days was “berryman”. The track that was abandoned by GIO was the former N&ST/CN line that was basically shared, and the spurs were CN spurs (ie: kemira) per the map. Joint territory on some of it, some of it appears to be CN only.

There was a ‘high line’ and a ‘low line’ and the Grantham shared the right of way with the “high line” in parts closer to the warehouse but the high line was mostly gone into the 70′s except for the “townline spur” portion.

Also, while CN called it the Grantham spur, the GIO/Trillium Railway paperwork called it the N&ST spur for some reason. I have a copy of that paperwork, which was the daily operating bulletin.

At least there is some N&ST track in use in Port Colborne still.

By: DoctaPinklaces

DoctaPinklaces — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:44:54 +0000

The section between Hartzel and Lincoln Ave is now ripped up, along with the entirety of the Eastchester Yard. All crossings have since been paved over, too.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 02:14:51 +0000

The line north of merriton was owned by trillium outright and due to Ontario shortline act 30 days and they can rip up and sell land to anyone.

There’s lots of rail line near roads making for many valuable and severable plots of land.

City better act quick. Line is ripped up already I am told.

A great historic photo and glad you were there docta

By: NiagaraMike11

NiagaraMike11 — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 00:48:23 +0000

Theres a rumor the city wants to railbank the line for future industry use.
The rail is light and ties in poor shape so CN may get rid of it cheaply as scrap value is low.
Time will tell!

By: Klaucker

Klaucker — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 23:30:40 +0000

Great memorial shot…sad to see it go but emblematic of St. Kitts….there just isn’t enough traffic these days to keep it going

By: awmooney

awmooney — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 20:36:34 +0000

Too bad, Docta. Now you have only the same old stuff I put up with every day. 422, 421, AMTK and GO. Geez.

By: DoctaPinklaces

DoctaPinklaces — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 20:29:39 +0000

Thanks everyone. It is pretty tough to come to terms with still.

By: terry.oshell

terry.oshell — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 22:09:15 +0000

Very nice.

By: NiagaraMike11

NiagaraMike11 — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 18:59:16 +0000

Very nicely done !

By: awmooney

awmooney — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 15:33:41 +0000

Great capture, docta. Being someone who lived in St. Catharines for 30 years and have now been out of it for 25, I tend to take pics of anything north of Merritton for granted. But your caption says it all……the North End simply is no more. Hard to believe. Thanks for posting a great memorial shot.