They Said CP was Quiet ...Ha

13 June 2012 13:30

After Lela and I had gone over to the OVGRS to paint the fence, we travelled to Merrickville to visit Jeff's layout.  A few of the HOTRAK /OVAR gang were there working on the layout and I had a chance to visit for the first time.  I had mentioned to the boys that Lela and were thinking of heading to Smiths Falls to do some railfanning.  They kind of gave us that knowing stare and indicating that nothing much is happening since the strike.  Well not to be discouraged we went off to see what we could see.

 When we arrived at the yard there were a pair of GP 38s idling away and there was nothing moving.  Hmmm ...patience... it is just like fishing.  We sat on the bench at the old CP station and waited.

 Then from the east, coming from Montreal there was a very interesting way freight..

 A pair of SD40-2s on the lead and then back a few cars there were GP 9s.  Very strange consist.

The train stopped just before the End of CTC sign.

A chance to move in closer and catch the crew in the cab. 

 Then from the south came the sound of VIA blowing at the crossing.  I set up to catch the North bound VIA from Brockville to Ottawa cutting onto CP trackage.

 The train passed through the crossovers and went by in perfect sunlight.

 The VIA then continued and headed off to the new station north west of town.

 Once clear, the CP freight was given clearance to the the crew change point.

 As it passed by I took this shot of the GP 9 and noticed that the air hose was bypassing the unit, indicating that it was probably not operational and would be needed to maintain air pressure throughout the train.

 No sooner than it had stopped, there was a horn from the North and a south bound VIA approached.

 Here she is running by the mixed freight.

 I love these going away shots.  The low green indicates that the train will be leaving CP trackage for Brockville, heading south down the same track the other VIA had used.

 I then walked west to see what this train would be up to.

 A new crew had got on board and this trainman shows he is ready for action, Timmy's and all.

 An overview as I continued to walk west.

 The action started as the units throttled up.

 Looking down the train I noticed that they had uncoupled two cars behind the last GP-9.

 They travelled passed the crossover and into the west yard lead.  Here they are backing into the yard.

 Some side on shots of the geeps.

 They picked up a string of 6 cars from the yard tracks and are heading back to the main.

 Now they are backing down the main to reconnect with the train.

 I had a chance to walk back in time to watch the trainman connect the air hose.  Then they left town.

 Right behind them, a second train from Montreal was slowly moving forward on the tail of the first.  This intermodal had 74 cars all single stacked and 36 were empties.

 Here she is at end of CTC rolling slowly toward the crew change point.

 I turned and looked and could not believe it.  Four crews and a one railfan completely decked out in CP garb.

 The train had no sooner changed crew, when another train arrived on the station track.  More SD40-2s. I felt like I was in the 80's.

 Nice of him to stop where he did and kept the cab in the sun.

 I fiddled this shot and photo shopped out the wind sock.

 These guys had the priority over the freight and were first to leave.  There was lots of enthusiasm.

Artsy side on shot of the units at crew change.  Buddy has his paperwork.

 Now that was cool.  This is the foliage suppressant train.  They have the tank cars and sprayer in tow followed by a couple of old 50 ft box cars.

 Here is the equipment as it rolled by leaving town.

 Meanwhile another GP 38 came out from the yard tracks.  This guy was going to get a bunch of ballast cars, some slurry tank cars and hoppers and head west and then north.  The beaver scheme:)

 3/4 angle of the unit backing onto the train. which is behind the black tank car.

 The container train waited as yet another southbound VIA went by the station and onto Brockville.

 Finally the container train left town and I wondered up to the east end to watch this pair of GP38s going to latch onto their eastbound local.

 As this was happening another VIA came up from Brockville and I was able to catch her going over a street crossing right in town.

 The train goes through a nice little S bend here.

 The newly upgraded F40PH looks great going through the crossing.

 This particular train had four of those nice Rapido cars in tow.

 There was a meet and yet another VIA southbound came by

 This had the Renaissance cars.

 A very nice 7 car consist.

 Now would you believe it.  While all this VIA stuff was happening a CP Eastbound freight was sitting on the main.  Lots of Smoke from these AC4400s as she had to start the train to move into Smiths Falls for a crew change.

 Approaching the platform one of the crewman sits at the typical picnic table.  Every layout should have some.

 The boys greet each other, I cannot believe how dirty this unit is.  The white CP lettering is black.

 Now this would be a job for those modellers that like heavy weathering.

A final shot as the CP freight heads for Montreal.  The high green.

It was approaching seven so we were starting to get hungry.  We started home for Orleans and on the way we decided to stop in Carlsbad Corners for some BBQ burgers and beer.  While in the restaurant, we saw three more VIA trains, two heading to Montreal and one for Ottawa.  Doing all the gazintas we managed to see fourteen trains that afternoon and early evening.  Quiet, I don't think so.  Hope you enjoyed this day of railfanning with us.