Welcome Visitor. First time here? Like what you see? Bookmark us for when you are bored, and check out 'top shots' and 'fantastic (editors choice)' in the menu above, you won't be dissapointed. Join our community! click here to sign up for an account today. Sick of this message? Get rid of it by logging-in here.

For a brief spell in the late 1980's GTW, which was now part of the CN empire; ran what was dubbed "The Laser", a daily TOFC (trailer on flat car) train; I believe Detroit to Toronto/Montreal, and I am not even sure of the train number: I recall 231/232 but would appreciate corrections. The GT had taken over the DT&I (Detroit, Toledo & Ironton) back in 1983 and their power was intregrated into GTW, so it was possible to see one of their original paint units in service on the Laser. Here, we catch one on the lead as it rolls east thru Aldershot past the old Howard Rd extension that was a popular place for train nuts to hang out at that time. With a third rail going in a few years ago, this location became redundant and now is just a memory. Power is DT&I 6410, GT6408 and 6415. Note the DT&I has been renumbered into the GTW roster. That is Lemonville Rd bridge in the background.
Copyright Notice: This image ©A.W. Mooney all rights reserved.



Caption: For a brief spell in the late 1980's GTW, which was now part of the CN empire; ran what was dubbed "The Laser", a daily TOFC (trailer on flat car) train; I believe Detroit to Toronto/Montreal, and I am not even sure of the train number: I recall 231/232 but would appreciate corrections. The GT had taken over the DT&I (Detroit, Toledo & Ironton) back in 1983 and their power was intregrated into GTW, so it was possible to see one of their original paint units in service on the Laser. Here, we catch one on the lead as it rolls east thru Aldershot past the old Howard Rd extension that was a popular place for train nuts to hang out at that time. With a third rail going in a few years ago, this location became redundant and now is just a memory. Power is DT&I 6410, GT6408 and 6415. Note the DT&I has been renumbered into the GTW roster. That is Lemonville Rd bridge in the background.

Photographer:
A.W. Mooney [2139] (more) (contact)
Date: 03/11/1986 (search)
Railway: Grand Trunk Western (search)
Reporting Marks: DT&I 6410 (search)
Train Symbol: #232 (search)
Subdivision/SNS: CN Oakville Sub. (search)
City/Town: Burlington(Aldershot) (search)
Province: Ontario (search)
Share Link: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=21080
Click here to Log-in or Register and add your vote.

12 Favourites
Photographers like Gold.Log-in or Register to show appreciation
View count: 2580 Views

Share this image on Facebook, Twitter or email using the icons below
Photo ID: 19947
Map courtesy of Open Street Map

Full size | Suncalc
Note: Read why maps changed. Suncalc.net for reference only.

All comments must be positive in nature and abide by site rules. Anything else may be removed without warning.

9 Comments
  1. rsmith
    October 12, 2015 at 6:13 pm

    Excellent! They just keep coming… :)

  2. DoctaPinklaces
    October 12, 2015 at 8:32 pm

    Welcome back Mr Mooney!

  3. awmooney
    October 12, 2015 at 8:49 pm

    Thanks for noticing I was absent, Docta!!! (a vacation from doing nothing was needed, so I took one)

  4. Dave Brook
    October 12, 2015 at 10:39 pm

    I thought it went all the way to Chicago.

  5. awmooney
    October 13, 2015 at 1:28 am

    Yes Dave, I think you’re right. I wasn’t sure. Ditto for the train numbers.

  6. smithgl
    October 13, 2015 at 8:55 am

    Yes – welcome back and what a great shot. In the early 90′s these trains were 238/239 and were Chicago/Toronto. I remember seeing one GP40 in DTI orange with a white GT noodle on a 238 once – that was my closest to seeing a DT&I!

  7. Mike Lockwood
    October 13, 2015 at 2:49 pm

    I remember seeing the odd patched pumpkin at Mac Yard back in the day, but never a true DT&I unit. Pure set, regardless of scheme, of former DT&I GP40-2′s is just great.

    Those wellcars, if I’m not mistaken, are the 677*** series and still earn their keep for CN, though not hauling trailers anymore (but the hitches remain).

  8. Cdntrainphotog
    October 13, 2015 at 4:00 pm

    Yup…nice shot Arnold.
    I wished you had taken the odd picture of the trailers etc but with what you used for a camera you couldn’t just shoot everything. Oh well, we can’t go back in time.

  9. Cdntrainphotog
    October 13, 2015 at 4:02 pm

    Yup…nice shot Arnold.
    I wished you had taken the odd picture of the trailers etc but with what you used for a camera you couldn’t just shoot everything. Oh well, we can’t go back in time. Question: Did the Laser Train terminate at CN MALPORT and have the trailers distributed from there?
Railpictures.ca © 2006-2023 all rights reserved. Photographs are copyright of the photographer and used with permission
Terms and conditions | About us