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Wow – what a great shot – I notice the former Mainline is still in place with a grade crossing – there is a large manufacturing operation at the corner of Grand River and Silver St – not sure what was there 35 years ago though, perhaps it may be related?
Nice lashup! The rock truck looks like a CAT 769C, which probably wasn’t manufactured in Goderich (Champion never made rock trucks). It could have been heading to or coming from one of the local Cat dealers in S.Ont – Crothers in Toronto for example).
Great shot, I recall a heavy truck manufacturing assembly plant, Wajax or Euclid located on the spur, just north of the Market St. crossing. There were some large trucks lifted from that plant. I worked in Paris as a Signal Maintainer at the time this photo was taken.
MrDan: Do you know what all Champion made and what timeframe they were in business at Goderich? Just curious.
Hmm, could be from the plant Terry mentioned then, I’m not up to speed on all the former heavy equipment manufacturing in S.Ont
Arnold, I believe Champion made motor graders in Goderich, not sure what else (probably other rubber-tired machines, if anything). They were at least operating until the CP Goderich Sub closed in 1989, if not longer – I remember reading one of the final trains had some Champion graders on it.
A little research on the Forum at Hankstruckpictures.com gives us the answer. The rock truck pictured is a WABCO that was built in Paris. Thanks to “Hanky” who drove such beasts in a mine in British Columbia and Dan who hauled parts to the plant in Paris when he drove for Cronin Transport which was owned by CN. Large machines were built in Canada in those days, not imported as complete. Euclids were built in Guelph and Terex in London. Champion built graders in Goderich, I remember their official name being CHAMPION ROAD MACHINERY. My question to the Train Guys – would this load have moved to the west via Toronto?
That’s quite the catch Arnold. By this time, anything making a lift at Paris was rare. The truck was indeed built in Paris at the Wabco plant, which was originally Adam’s Graders. There were two sizes built – 35 and 50 ton. On occasion we’d get overflow work from the plant in Peoria, IL and build 100 tonners. I worked there for a year starting in 1975, and on my last day got to ride one around the test track. I think the operator thought he was driving a Ferarri – man did we fly!
Gang – word on the street is Paris Jct is being re-done… starting VERY soon (switches have just been delivered on-site). Apparently plant is being moved 300 feet to the west…
At one time there was a good restaurant at Paris Jct. I don’t remember the name of it but it was full of railroad stuff. You could a window seat and watch the action.