Comments on: This is a follow-up to Mike Lockwoods image (i.d. 7437)from that era of great variety on CP Rail. Leading NS autoparts train #328 is CP 672, a KCS castoff later seen as CP 5417 over the system. Unfortunately this unit never wore a “CP” on the nose as 672, but just ‘CP Rail” in red on the flanks. Behind the 672 are NS 3273 and 6673. View of this eastbound is at CN Iron Br., around the curve out of sight is the bridge over Welland Canal.

By: JoeDurocher

JoeDurocher — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 11:37:59 +0000

Thanks to Railpictures, and Facebook groups representing my old stomping grounds, I’ve learned that there is no sense in returning “home” to take a nostalgic tour of the places I frequented as a kid. Once upon a time, I had thought of doing one final tour of the area around Lock 4 and the area of the third Welland Canal, but realize now attempting to do so would be a headache.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 02:18:38 +0000

You can tell somewhat by this photo, Joe, that the angle I used in 1981 is no longer viable. Foliage has crept up; the railroads no longer want to invest the effort in keeping the right of ways clear-cut; and as well Walker Quarries beefed up security to their property by installing chainlink fencing. That did away with the angle for the old trestle bridge.

By: JoeDurocher

JoeDurocher — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 23:37:53 +0000

Arnold, when you took this photo here – in 1997 – you weren’t too far removed from where you were located in 1981 when you took that terrific shot of Amtrak crossing that old trestle.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 01:36:26 +0000

Joe: You’re right. Back then I recall off to the left in this photo the water pooled a bit and then there was remains of old locks; just the appearance of concrete “foundation”. I thought this would be preserved for historical purposes but never did find out if the city had been interested in it. The area was used by ATVs and for weekend boozeups by the kids last I recall. GM plant, on Glendale is just out of sight on the right, as is their rail yard behind that pale lump of trees in the photo. I have not been by that trestle in years, and as I write this wondering if the area is now off limits. Good photo spots there.

By: JoeDurocher

JoeDurocher — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 19:29:59 +0000

Is the bridge we do see the one over what was once the third Welland Canal – not far from the GM plant?

By: awmooney

awmooney — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 23:16:00 +0000

So you’re saying there, Mr. H.T.Grep ) that there were TWO trains? Never heard of a 289. This shot is of #328 which is the Eastbound, #327 was the westbound and was not as often photographed by me as it was usually very early in Niagara and if in sunshine would be coming right out of the morning Sun along the Grimsby sub.
Uasually the 327/328 would meet somewhere on the Dundas either side of Brantford if they kept decent schedules.
Talbotville at times did result in some 50-60 car trains, but not on a regular basis.

By: headtailgrep

headtailgrep — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 20:12:31 +0000

Here’s a good question – is this NS 327 or NS 289? As I seem to recall there were two Eastbound NS trains in 1998 and one westbound, based on some very detailed logs I read by Brian Ellis from his fanning in these days. The problem is both trains from what I read were nearly indistinguisable Talbotville was at the peak of production and with the Autoracks and Parts cars it makes sense that NS would have had enough for two trains.

By: Mike Lockwood

Mike Lockwood — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 19:41:09 +0000

Interesting leader there, Arnold. IIRC, CP was supplying units to NS either for testing two way SBU’s or to operate with mandated two way SBU’s. I caught the odd one back them, but always with red units. Great catch!