[Bojaxs]

Moving this into this thread (more appropriate place for it) and out of the general Toronto photography thread.

Such a great photo! Hopefully, one day, we'll see GO trains running along this track.

 

[Allandale25]

Unique shotfrom 1978 posted here in this Facebook group. Not sure why the palm trees are there. cc @crs1026

 

[JamesKoole]

In June, 2003, a special train (CP 2816 aka the "Empress") went over the bridge pulling a GO consist. I caught this view from our condo at Don Mills and Eglinton. I still miss those views...we moved out in 2007. Maybe someday we'll get GO service across midtown although I doubt it.

 

[hawc]

Just curious if anyone can provide any info on super short trains like this.

It was moving FAST across Eglinton and Leslie heading north-east.

Has an engine on either end, but just a few stacked container cars in between.

Usually the trains around here are much longer.

 

[Northern Light]

Just curious if anyone can provide any info on super short trains like this.

It was moving FAST across Eglinton and Leslie heading north-east.

Has an engine on either end, but just a few stacked container cars in between.

Usually the trains around here are much longer.

View attachment 622483

We shall have to page @crs1026 on this, he's always insightful on such things.

I can do nothing more than observe the obvious, that the locos are in the old KCS livery, being used on CPKC's mainline.

 

[mburrrrr]

Just curious if anyone can provide any info on super short trains like this.

It was moving FAST across Eglinton and Leslie heading north-east.

Has an engine on either end, but just a few stacked container cars in between.

Usually the trains around here are much longer.

View attachment 622483

Car smuggling?

 

[crs1026]

…^It's quite common to see short movements of this type between CPKC's Agincourt Yard and the Intermodal terminal in Vaughan.
While Vaughan is the main intermodal gateway, Agincourt is the diesel shop, and the terminal point for crews.
The train is likely a transcontinental freight that has dropped off the bulk of its consist at Vaughan, and is now completing the last lap of its run to Agincourt. The cars are likely destined beyond Vaughan,, possibly to Buffalo and beyond, so they weren't left at Vaughan. They will be added to an outbound train at Agincourt..
Having an engine at each end is coincidental, most likely the rear engine is a remote (DPU) that was on the rear of the (much longer) consist into Vaughan and this is the most convenient placement to make the last leg to the diesel shop.

- Paul

PS - after the CPKC merger, the KCS locomotives were very quickly inhaled into CP operations systemwide. Some of this was "showing the flag", ie ensuring the two railroads were assimilated into one unified whole without lingering we-they identities.... but also there were differences in past maintenance between the two railroads and the KCS units were historically the better maintained and thus useful everywhere (KCS traditionally bought the full "factory maintenance" package when it procured locos, CP didn't) . They are beginning to look ratty in proper CP tradition, but that's just faded paint.

 

[Allandale25]

I'm sure @crs1026 saw this train a few times.

 

[crs1026]

I'm sure @crs1026 saw this train a few times.

Sure did. It's remarkable how much freight ran through Union back in the day. So much industry in the center of Toronto.....The Food Terminal was a big customer.

- Paul

 

[drum118]

Shot this video on August 09 2009, but shot some photos as well, but can't remember when I last saw one.

 

[Allandale25]

Shot this video on August 09 2009, but shot some photos as well, but can't remember when I last saw one.

Would it have come down the Bala Sub through the Don Valley? cc @crs1026

 

[Allandale25]

Sure did. It's remarkable how much freight ran through Union back in the day. So much industry in the center of Toronto.....The Food Terminal was a big customer.

- Paul

Speaking of freight downtown, I think this has been discussed here before but I think this picture shows single level container trains serving the Port Lands. I don't I had ever seen a picture of it.

 

[Bojaxs]

Shot this video on August 09 2009, but shot some photos as well, but can't remember when I last saw one.

@crs1026 I asked a coworker at CN (who used to work for GO) if we still run trains through Union station, and he said they still do nightly. I didn't exactly believe him.

 

[drum118]

@crs1026 I asked a coworker at CN (who used to work for GO) if we still run trains through Union station, and he said they still do nightly. I didn't exactly believe him.

CN still has running rights on all of the Lakeshore Line and I can see it happening if it not interfering with trackwork and other things for Union Station if they room on the Halton Line.

CN used to run a train a nighttime down the Weston Sub to the old yard on the Lake Shore as well to CP Lambton yard nightly. Seen this first hand and have photos of the moves and maybe a few videos.

 

[Natika33]

Love this thread! Long time railfan.

I may have posted a few of these elsewhere in the spring, but thought I'd upload all of them in their full hi-res versions here.

First series is at the monstrous CN MacMillan Yard and the second set are from the smaller CPKC Toronto Yard.

Omigod, these are impressive, especially that first yard! I wish there were a tall building nearby with public access to a high level so I could see it in real life.