Comments on: Yeah, the ‘race’ was on. Pity I cannot remember who won!! Actually, I think it was the CN 449 that got my attention and since it was on the south track……….and along comes CP, hidden as it rounded the curve. This was a great experience of remarkable timing; and as both trains were Hamilton-bound they were moving right along. And both trains had Alcos in consist, such units had been demoted to trailing power a couple of years previous. CP 5906, 4742 and 4221 made up #526, bound for the USA, and CN #449, it worked Hamilton’s Stuart St yard (the yard wasn’t handed to RLK until end of 1997) before going to Niagara Falls from Toronto. Pity I made an error in logging this train, I omitted the 3rd unit, so only can show CN 9499, 2338,xxxx and 1396. Since CP does not pay for rights over the Oakville Sub any more, chances of a sighting like this again are slim and none.

By: Mike Lockwood

Mike Lockwood — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 22:47:39 +0000

Third CN unit is an M636, so 23**.

I recall shooting a memorable 449 one inter afternoon down in Port Rob in 1998. They made a lift in the yard and headed to Fort Eire or Buffalo. I do not recall seeing 449 before or after that one time at Port Rob, but at the very least it could operate past Niagara Falls yard if needed.

By: Paul Snyder

Paul Snyder — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 00:26:01 +0000

Another fantastic shot Mr Mooney! And a thank you to ngineered4u for the additional info as well!

By: ngineered4u

ngineered4u — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 08:11:15 +0000

Those were the good old days when the Toronto freight pool had lots of work compared to the zero trains we have now.
Toronto crews manned 448/449, 154 which stopped at BIT to lift stack cars for Buffalo plus we had 339/338 Mac to Frontier Yard and return and I forget the train number, but we ran Mac Yrd to Bison Yard on the NS. Man we lost lots of work down that way. Sigh.

By: ngineered4u

ngineered4u — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 08:07:43 +0000

448/449 were Mac Yrd to Niagara Falls trains. Usually with work at Aldershot or Hamilton. 449 was westbound out of Mac.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 00:42:19 +0000

Tisk, tisk. You’re not old enough to be forgetful.:o)

By: DoctaPinklaces

DoctaPinklaces — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 00:34:56 +0000

Gotcha. I recall hearing that ID a while ago but I’ve since forgotten about it

By: awmooney

awmooney — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 00:16:03 +0000

First; thanks guys, for the positive comments. And secondly, no, Docta; I believe this train terminated at Niagara Falls CN yard.

By: DoctaPinklaces

DoctaPinklaces — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 21:58:41 +0000

Was 449 a Ft.Erie bound train?

By: PacificPaul

PacificPaul — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 20:09:18 +0000

Great image indeed!!!

By: Stuart Streit

Stuart Streit — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 16:44:00 +0000

Definitely twilight for the MLW’s. CN’s privatization was only a year off and the new regime had no interest in nostalgia. Hard to believe that the once ubiquitous SD40-2′s are succumbing to a similar fate. Life cycle, I suppose.