March 29, 2008

March 30, 2008

Sudbury, Ontario

The first train of the day was CN 396.

After photographing 396 at the Woodstock Via Station, we chased it to Beard’s Lane, where all trains were required to stop and protect the crossing with a crew member as the crossing was malfunctioning.

The next train was CN 148.

We then returned to the CP station to see how TK12 was coming along. The crew was ordered for 0800 and the locomotives began to roll out of the power tracks at roughly 0845. Plumes of white smoke rose as the pair of GP9u’s struggled to warm up in the bitter cold.

As TK12’s crew built their train in Woodstock yard, they noticed some issues with the lead unit, CP 8214. The rear wheelset was producing strange and loud thumping noises, and the crew complained that the ride was very uncomfortable. The decision was made to leave 8214 at Woodstock and continue with only CP 8231, leading the train in a manner known as ‘Long Hood Forward’.

It wasn’t long before the ‘Diesel Doctor’ arrived to inspect 8214.

TK12 left Woodstock at 1138, with ten hopper cars destined for the feed elevators at Putnam.

Passing through Ingersoll.

Arrival in Putnam.

TK12 then returned to Woodstock as light power. Dave continued to St. Thomas.

After chasing TK12, I then headed towards Salford to check out Ontario Southland Railway’s shops. An assortment of locomotives were sitting out back, but I did not take any photos. Dave then called me and informed me that St. Thomas and Eastern Railway (also known as Trillium Railway) was running a train from St.Thomas to Delhi. From Salford, I headed directly south to Tillsonburg and caught the STER train working a yard. An impressive transport truck was sitting in the lot adjacent to the rail yard.

Dave and I drove east and photographed the train crossing the large historic railway trestle on the outskirts of Tillsonburg.

Trillium’s bunkhouse and equipment shed:

After working Tillsonburg yard, STER continued east to Delhi with one hopper car. We pursued, but by this time it was too dark for photos.

Upon arrival back in Woodstock, CP 8214 was still sitting on the power tracks, and CP TK21 (the evening local) was constructing its train with only 8231. The problem with 8214 was likely too big for the Diesel Doctor to fix.

Woodstock, Ontario