Trackside Log for Wednesday, August 22, 2012

This morning, just as I was leaving for my first appointment of the day, Canadian Pacific train 246 south rolled through town. I intercepted it at River Road on my way to St. Catharines for said appointment.

• 0900 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 8945-CP 9614
  

My next three appointments were all in Hamilton. When I got there I found myself with some time before my first appointment. I also heard Canadian Pacific empty ethanol train 641 north approaching Desjardins. Unfortunately I didn't make it to the York Boulevard high level bridge in time for it. However, as luck would have it, the Hamilton turn was following not far behind.

• 1104 Desjardins (Hamilton) - CP 525 north (Hamilton Turn) - CP 3043-CP 3048
  

During this time Canadian National train 331 was switching Southern Ontario Railway's yard in Hamilton. I had a bit of time so I drove past Aldershot. The tail end of train 422 was there, but nothing worth photographing. I decided to head back to Dundas to photograph 331.

• 1228 Dundas - CN 331 north - CN 2573-CN 8881
  

Later on, after lunch and two appointments, I found myself with another hour before my last appointment. I was nearby Southern Ontario Railway's yard again so I dropped by in time to see both RLK 3873 and NECR 3840 switching the west end of the yard.

• 1452 Hamilton - SOR switcher - RLK 3873
  
• 1458 Hamilton - SOR switcher - NECR 3840
  

After the final appointment of the day I drove back home to greet Missy, who was happy to see me as always.

Trackside Log for Thursday, August 16, 2012

Much of today was spent in the Hamilton area for a series of appointments. I had a bit of time before one of these and discovered that train 331 was working Hamilton yard. I waited for them to finish and decided that Sydenham Road would be an interesting photographic opportunity.

• 1206 Dundas - CN 331 west - CN 2612-BCOL 4611
  

This part of the Dundas Subdivision looks like a branch line for all the weeds growing in the ballast. But no, this is part of the Toronto to Chicago main line.

During the last week or two Canadian Pacific has been working on several road crossing replacements around Fenwick. Today during Missy's walk I decided to photograph their handiwork at Foss Road. Just as we arrived at the crossing I heard horns approaching from the south. How fortuitous!

• 1830 Fenwick - CP northbound local - CP 8211-CP 8200
  

As I anticipated, it was the local running a pair of pipe loads to Cappco in Smithville. After it passed I took a few photographs of the newly completed (today) replacement track for the crossing.

• 1831 Fenwick - Foss Road crossing replacement
  

It looks like everything is ready for the new track to be installed.

Trackside Log for Monday, August 13, 2012

Tonight as I was readying for bed I heard on the scanner that train 247 was about to depart Welland Yard. I decided to play around with some night photography using the train's headlights to illuminate the scene.

• 2219 Fenwick - CP 247 north - CP 8628-CP xxxx
  

The exposure was for 30 seconds at f11 using ISO 400.

Trackside Log for Sunday, August 12, 2012

It was a quiet Sunday at home with Missy but I had the scanner on should Canadian Pacific run a train through town. Only one was in daylight and after I woke up. I photographed it under overcast skies.

• 1202 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 9650-CP 9839
  

It wasn't terribly interesting, but it was a relatively long train.

Trackside Log for Saturday, August 4, 2012

Today exemplified why I take fewer photographs in July and August. It was hot, humid and generally unpleasant. However, I had the scanner on and was alerted to a northbound nearing Brookfield that was to meet a southbound in Smithville. I decided to brave the weather and capture some images. First I found train 255 at Chantler Road.

• 0958 Fenwick - CP 255 north - CP 8516-CP 8628
  

I had a bit of time before train 246 arrived in town so I drove to the Avondale for some refreshment before taking a position at River Road for a photograph of the southbound.

• 1108 Fenwick - CP 246 south - CP 9368-CP 9619
  

I had heard earlier on the scanner that train 246 had some dimensional cars. I wasn't expecting fifteen wind turbine loads. That was far more interesting that this train usually is.

Now that the weather was generating a headache I gladly returned home.

Trackside Log for Wednesday, August 1, 2012

This afternoon I had three appointments in Hamilton so before the first of these I purchased some lunch and took it trackside in Aldershot. No sooner had I arrived at Lemonville Road when an eastbound poked its headlight around the corner.

• 1259 Aldershot - CN eastbound - CN 5774-CN 2099
  

When I turned around I noticed VIA train 73 departing Aldershot station.

• 1300 Aldershot - VIA 73 west - VIA 6442
  

It was approaching time for my first appointment so I headed over to MacNab Street. Due to my proximity to the Southern Ontario Railway's yard, I could hear the sounds of a GP9 switching the yard. When I was finished my appointment I made the quick drive to see it. When I arrived I discovered two locomotives switching. RLK 3873 was waiting for RLK 4003 to clear a path.

• 1358 Hamilton - SOR switcher - RLK 4003
  
• 1408 Hamilton - SOR switcher - RLK 3873

After a few photographs I was off to my remaining appointments.