Comments on: The days of CN’s “Bullet-Nose Betty” 6060 getting rather long-in-the-tooth as she is now being assisted by VIA 6539 on the twice weekly tourist run from Toronto to Niagara Falls and return. In this view, one can see the Welland Canal bridge 6 counterweight in the background, and crossing gates returning to their upright position at the Glendale Av crossing, as the Toronto-bound afternoon train roars past the old Merritton station (destroyed by fire Oct 1994). Some of the local population watch in admiration. That is the old GM plant in background on the left; foreground freight cars are in now-taken-up Merritton yard, while local switcher CN 7168 waits it all out.

By: railwayguy

railwayguy — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 01:33:42 +0000

Mr. Mooney, not nearly as much as you do today. So very grateful for your pictures from the ‘70’s, 80’s and 90’s, station pictures, and those of 6060.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 01:07:24 +0000

Gentleman John…….for a young guy, you sure got around. Thanks for the information and appreciation.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 00:58:07 +0000

Here’s Steve Danko’s view in Toronto: Awesome coverage. http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=14680

By: railwayguy

railwayguy — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 22:07:28 +0000

Mr. Mooney, first time seeing this picture – wonderful ! In addition to the three NRHS Roanoke Chapter owned cars you mention that are on the rail end, there was a 4th from the NRHS Independence Limited, an ex- Southern Railway coach being the second car right behind the baggage car. Believe the owner was the Virginia Transportation Museum. Rode the Independence Limited from Alexandria Va to Toronto, was a memorable trip. John

By: railwayguy

railwayguy — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 13:24:28 +0000

Another comment Mr. M, , the caption information states this great picture was taken July 24, 1980 which would indeed mean the train was the NRHS National Convention Excursion to Niagara Falls and back to Toronto. The following Sunday, 6060 , assisted by an A unit was the power for the Convention wrap-up excursion around Lake Simcoe, north on CN’s Bala Sub to Washago and back to Toronto on the Newmarket Sub. I believe that was the last 6060 powered excursion out of Toronto. John

By: JoeDurocher

JoeDurocher — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 15:00:17 +0000

Almost 37 years later, the area we see here has certainly changed. This image represents Merritton – or at least this particular area of it – as I remember it. I crossed the tracks seen here so many times – especially during my four years at Merritton High School, just to the left of the area we see here.

By: Matthew Whiteley

Matthew Whiteley — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 12:21:52 +0000

Nice Shot!

By: awmooney

awmooney — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 22:56:19 +0000

A bit more information I found regarding this train. It was the very last time CN 6060 would visit the Niagara Peninsula. The NRHS sponsored trip had 13 cars, inc three Roanoke Chapter x-N&W cars; the Fort Mitchell, the 501 and the club’s observation car, 3305, carrying the markers. Info from a 1986 F. Erie RR Museum calendar.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 17:21:15 +0000

Thanks, BEM’r. I recall two tracks along the Thorold line; not sure if they were still in place down by Thorold station when I photographed it in 1974. Did not realize the wye at Clifton was such a recent project. The “Down” track overpass was removed in early ’76.

By: mercer

mercer — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 14:24:11 +0000

The reason there are two tracks – one on either side of the double mains – is because there were two tracks to Thorold on the west side of the canal. Using Arnold’s photo, the track on the right that turns away, was referred to as the ‘Up’ track; the track on the left, that came overhead of the Grimsby Sub and then connected beyond the station, was the “Down” track. In other words, trains from Hamilton (and beyond) would go to Welland, Port Colborne and Ft Erie via the “Up” track; and trains in the opposite direction would come from Ft Erie etc and use the “Down” track.
This lasted until 1968/1970, when the canal bypass was built and CN changed the former Welland Sub into the Stamford Sub and built a connection at Clifton. This allowed them to stop using the “Up” and “Down” tracks and go via Clifton, with less severe grades.
Before that, there was no way for a train from Toronto or Sarnia/London to get to Port Robinson and beyond by travelling to Niagara Falls Yard (without running around themselves). The new connection at Clifton made this possible ( Grimsby/Stamford connector).