Comments on: With 4 more to go to 1000 – Not a creature was stirring.. except a few Railfans eager to capture a new rebuild SD70ACU (former SD90) in the lead before Christmas festivities. I chased this nice 246 but given their speed at Campbellville approaching the Jct I opted to head straight for Hamilton and spend time on the slower track down the mountain where I could bang off a few shots. This angle off the York Rd bridge really shows off the matching beavers of the first and second units – 3063 looks nice beside 7006. Also another note is the GO CN/CP connector tracks, the ‘south’ track was recently reconnected after track re-alignment – the rarely used North connector was finally put to good use after many years of what seemed like nothing (since the freights came off the Oakville sub joint section that is). Not sure the exact reason why two connectors were built nor why one was rarely used, but it paid off for the triple tracking project here.

By: railwayguy

railwayguy — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 02:57:54 +0000

Agree Stephen, York Rd Bridge is a classic, and still the grand way to enter Hamilton . But it’s your eye and composition that’s so capturing, the length of the Bridge ,its green railing and its monument coupled with the sweep of the ex-TH&B from Hamilton Jct, the curve of CN toward Bayview Jct, and that junction signal gantry in the far right hand distance. Have been by this spot many, many times, by car, on CN , Amtrak, GO, and on the TH&B in a TH&B coach , CP RDC, NYC coach & sleeper, going back to 1950. Not a Hamiltonian, but a Torontonian, and with some help, would share some pictures on the site.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 20:59:04 +0000

Also Railwayguy any chance you might share some of your photos with us here? I see your profile and I’m tantalized by what you might have Are you local or out of town? Let me know if you have any questions if you are out of town I can get you info on how to bag trains around here.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 20:57:24 +0000

Thank you – FWIW I shot this at 70mm full frame, so a 50mm lens should be able to do this on a non full frame camera.

It’s not quite wide angle so you don’t get the distortion that comes with it. I also enjoy the York Rd bridge – it was built in the 1930′s to be a ‘grand entrance’ to Hamilton before the 400 series highways was created. To be able to incorporate it into a photo is something I’ve been looking to do for some time. It certainly remains grand.

By: railwayguy

railwayguy — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 15:03:41 +0000

Stephen, great picture. Gives me an idea to try the same next spring. Nice framing and composure. Very interesting to see how the new 3rd track from GO Harbour West ties into CP “3rd” track (is it ever used ?)
And interesting CP power lash up.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 13:36:28 +0000

Also interesting to note how both signals are turned for the north connector.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 02:52:15 +0000

This plant at right is CN Hamilton Junction. CP just passed the approach signal for CP Desjardins. Bayview is in the distance top right

By: homerjay84

homerjay84 — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 02:47:28 +0000

Is this the Bayview interlocking plant now triple tracked?

By: Railfan99

Railfan99 — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 02:46:41 +0000

And I only got 4 to go before 100, just one less zero on my end!