Caption: Mad Dash for the Guelph Sub: GEXR #431 with the usual cast-off rag-tag fleet of 4-motors races VIA #87 westbound on CN's Halton Sub, both heading to Georgetown where they will enter home rails on the GEXR-controlled Guelph Sub. Where is VIA #87 you ask? Why, coming up just behind 431's power! (the photographer got skunked for the side-by-side shot by seconds).

Rewind a few minutes earlier: in the heat of the evening GO rush, VIA #87 put in its usual appearance after GO #209 and made its station stop at Brampton around 6:10pm (on the north track, as no south platform yet). The CN RTC then managed to squeeze in GEXR #431 through the single track gauntlet between Peel and Brampton East and onto the south track. #87 finished its station stop and had just departed Brampton Station, getting up to speed as 431 rumbled by the Dixie Cup Spur where we were waiting. In moments 87 would overtake 431 and make the sprint to the single-track Credit River bridge and make its quick station stop at Georgetown, with 431 following behind. I can only assume the RTC told 431 "no rush" and got 87 onto the Guelph Sub ahead of him at Silver. Since this was pre-Guelph/Kitchener GO expansion, neither would have to content with any GO trains after Georgetown.

The rag-tag consist of the day was CEFX 6537, RLK 4096, LLPX 2210 & GEXR 4046. The famed tunnel motor 3054/9392 wasn't the only worn-out SP cast-off in the fleet, as GP38-3 leader 6537 started out life as an SP GP35. This was the only time I ever caught it in service, as not too long after it became a deadline queen and served as a parts unit for years until GEXR had to return it to the leaser (they put humpty-dumpty back together again and sent it on its way, and it was then forwarded to CAD for repainting/rebuilding. At last check it was running around the CMQ in blue CIT paint).