Caption: This is a pretty cool critter that probably has a lot of stories to tell, given that it has been on the property here in Port Colborne at what is now Vale since it was purchased new in 1953. Different owners and a repaint, but it's quite remarkable to think it's been at the same site for 67 years and counting. The facility itself is in its 102nd year, and the building in the backdrop is original albeit with a new siding.

Vale receives service from CN, who runs the Humberstone Spur from CN Yager down to Vale's facility in Port Colborne. Vale pays for all maintenance of the line, which is performed by Allied at present. Some relatively significant maintenance work was done on the line in the Spring of 2019, which is hopefully a good sign for the line's future. They receive tanks of chlorine and tanks of sulphur dioxide, both of which are needed for their processes with cobalt (I won't pretend to know anything beyond that), and I am told they fire the critter up about once a week to shuffle things around.

I have shot CN on the Humberstone a few times, two of which were trips for Vale. One trip with a chlorine tank in a tow (link here) and another time I got there just after they made a set off and were switching ends to head back to Port Robinson (link here).

This photo was taken on Vale property with prior permission obtained from Vale.