Jay’s Blog

This morning I woke up to some MOW equipment working on the main line at Coakley. Because of this, trains passing were required to pass on the siding. Since the siding was recently upgraded, the speeds have been improved, and less time is wasted for a train travelling through the siding.

I heard a train get a clearance from Mile 85, to Coakley, clear main track, this morning, and thought I’d go see what it was. The lead unit was 9839, which was part of CP’s last order of AC4400CW’s in the Golden Rodent scheme.

It was a nice day, the sun wasn’t in the best position but it wasn’t bad, so I decided to use my 18-55mm lense. Good thing I did too, because the train had a special guest on it.

The second unit was an TCB (Texas Central Business Lines Corp.) GE B23-7! It looked to be fresh out of the paint shop with a great, simple yellow paint job. These older GE’s are very rarely seen on Class 1 railways now, pretty much only shortlines still have them running. The TCB is a shortline in Texas, USA, so I have no idea why it is in Ontario, Canada. Maybe for an inspection or maintanence? or maybe it was recently acquired by the TCB, judging by the fresh paint?

I get on my bike, and ride up to Pittock Park bridge, to watch the train. As it got closer, I could see yellow handrails, which got me excited. As it comes closer, I realize what it is. I shoot it from the bridge, but the sun would be better at the yard. The train is taking the siding, so with some luck I can beat it to the yard on my bike.

I start biking towards the yard, passing the engines. The tracks are on a direct route to the yard (obviously), but the roads are not. So, the train still is ahead of me. I cross the highway, and bike down to the road that parallels the yard. As I get to the tracks, the train is pulling out of the siding. It wasn’t waiting for anything else, just had to take the siding because of the MOW on the main.

I’m on the wrong side of the tracks as it is pulling out, so I bike faster, trying to beat it to the crossing. Just as I cross the tracks, the lights start and the arms go down. Close, But I won! I quickly set down my bike (throw down, actually) and run to a better shooting location. I didn’t have much time to set up for the shot, so I’m glad the pics came out ok!

I shoot the train, and it goes by westbound. By this time I’m exhausted. I didn’t feel the greatest, either (headache, heavy chest from biking so far so fast). But, it was a neat train, and very cool move to get shots of.

Hope you enjoy them!

More shots from the past week or so. These are from the Nikkor 18-55mm AF-S DX, and the Nikkor 50mm F/1.8 D.

On a gloomy day we have 9513 leading west through Woodstock with an intermodal train.

CP 5900 leads a light power train consisting of five SD40-2 locomotives, and a CEFX AC4400CW on the end. One of the SD40-2’s is a high nose B-unit. Also notice that one ditchlight on 5900 has burnt out.

CP 5570 poses with CEFX 2800 infront of the fall foilage. CP 5570 is an SD40-2 with a unique paint scheme. After CP dropped their ‘dual-flag’ logo they experimented with this scheme before they decided on the ‘golden rodent’ scheme. This scheme has the CP Rail logo and candy apple red paint. Only two units ever had this paint.

A nice find, a CPR caboose sits in London, Ontario yard. This caboose is now in MoW service.

CP AC4400CW, number 9773. This unit was featured on the Holiday Train in past years. This unit has a special flag logo because of the event.

CEFX 1023 leads 3 other units through Coakley on an overcast day.

London Pickup heads east.

CP 5950 west leads a short manifest.

Two red barns lead an eastbound manifest.

Ham Turn with an impressive train.

CP 9024 with an AC4400CW.

All in all, despite the weather, I’m pleased with the results. Hope you guys like em…

Thought I’d post some of my recent shots. All shots are taken with a Nikon D50, Nikkor 18-55mm AF-S DX.

First, lets start off with two non-train shots (omg):

Here’s an Inukshuk I made before I photographed it. Up on an old fire tower hill, overlooking Rangers Bay (I think…) in Alban, ON.

And here’s a nice formation of Canadian Geese flying low overhead. Wish I had a shotgun, hehe. Mmm, goose.

Okay, how about some daylight shots of trains?

Two SD40-2’s lead a westbound frieght towards Sudbury, Ontario. I believe this is train 435. Alban, Ontario.

And now trains from Woodstock, Ontario.

GP9u’s on Ham Turn..

AC4400CW and a SD40-2F.

A lone AC4400CW crosses the Thames River and passes under Highway 59.

Now for a SD40-2F leading two other SD40-2’s. Second unit has been de-rated to B-unit status. Notice the boarded up cab windows.

Two Soo SD60’s…

Now, time for nightime train shots. I know a few people liked them last time, so I thought I’d post these. This was my first time shooting at night with the D50, so I need to improve in some areas.

Hope you enjoy…