Comments on: The last steam-powered run of Canadian Pacific train #21 the “Chicago Express” is seen crossing Dundas Street west of the station in Galt, Ontario in January 1954. CPR G5-class light Pacific 1221 and G3-class semi-streamlined Pacific 2409 head up the usual passenger consist. Due to a pending fireman’s strike in January 1954, steam replaced normal diesels. (Original photographer George Schaller, duplicate slide from the collection of Bill Thomson and posted on behalf of and with Mr. Schaller’s full participation).

By: railwayguy

railwayguy — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 00:16:35 +0000

Great picture, brings back so many good memories ! In March 1955, rode on this train behind double-headed steam from West Toronto to Galt to spend the day riding the GRR & LE&N with John Mills. We stopped at Puslinch to drop off some mail sacks, can still hear the two steam engines accelerating rapidly “out of town”. Could be wrong, but my guess is that the 1221 will go all the way to London. Thanks for posting, John

By: MrDan

MrDan — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 11:03:20 +0000

Doing a bit of reading, I think this may have been taken on January 2nd 1957, as this same consist is noted in the book “Canadian Pacific in Southern Ontario, Vol. 1″ as the final steam-powered #21 after diesels took over. Apparently due to the impending fireman strike later that same day, CP didn’t want to risk having the normally-assigned diesels stranded at remote points.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 21:33:05 +0000

Amazing.

By: DavidT

DavidT — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 18:54:52 +0000

Thank you for the memories. In the early 1950s my grandparents (CPR passholders) took me several times a year to Galt or Woodstock on train #21. I remember it was frequently double-headed. I vaguely recall chatting with the engineer or fireman after arrival.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 17:53:48 +0000

Pity most of todays rug-rats and carpet-crawlers will never get to witness one in action.

By: PRR5406

PRR5406 — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 17:43:30 +0000

What a classy way to move passenger train, with snow on the ground. Never has man constructed a machine more moving than the steam locomotive!

By: awmooney

awmooney — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 13:54:01 +0000

Photos to me do not do much for steam itself. To be next to a live breathing steam engine when I was a little kid was one of the supreme thrills of being alive. These fire-breathing monsters were something to behold. And the noise!! But a glimpse back in the day is one heck of a lot better than nothing. Thanks for being there, George.

By: Cdntrainphotog

Cdntrainphotog — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 12:28:23 +0000

I wished I could have been more aware of what was crossing the Erindale Station Road level crossing not far from where I lived but I was too young in ’54. Thanks for posting this.