Caption: Clean ballast, fresh concrete, and newly converted hump power are all present in this view inside CN's Toronto Yard, their new state-of-the-art freight classification yard opened north of the city on 1000 acres of former Vaughan Township farmland. CN S13's 8607 and 8624 bracket slug B3 as they glide over the crest of the dual hump, past the North Switchtender's Tower, hump signals and access roads below. The original hump power, the 8600-series MLW S13's weighed more than the standard 8500-series units, were equipped with newer GE 752 traction motors, and were equipped with hump controls and some other features including the ability to power chopped-down slugs that were converted from retired MLW S3 switchers.

Bounded by the former hamlets of Edgeley, Concord, Maple and Sherwood, Toronto Yard was part of CN's "Toronto Bypass" project that diverted freight traffic north of the city via the new Halton and York Sub connections, and out of congested Toronto, thereby freeing up track time for GO Transit to start up commuter operations and take over part of CN's Mimico Yard for their own facilities (Willowbrook Yard). Renamed MacMillan Yard in 1975, it continues to serve an important part of CN's network today, albeit with newer technology and hump power. The S13-slug-S13 sets eventually gave way to GP38-2's and newer GMD-built slugs, and today SD40-2 variants and slugs.

Original photographer unknown, Dan Dell'Unto collection slide.

More Toronto/MacMillan Yard photos:
C Yard tracks: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=51354
Aerial view: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=33864
South end: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=52917
Departure/Arrival leads: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=52621
Diesel Shop (outside): http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=1670
Diesel Shop (inside): http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=20758