Things that put a smile on a railroad lovers face

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Hello everybody

nowadays we hear so much bad news about cut backs and high fuel prices and industry going to other countries that this made me very happy. Two days ago I was on a couple of service calls when I saw the local for the CPR running through Cambridge Ontario. It had two gondolas and a long string of auto racks. On the front of the train were two GP 38-2 which sandwiched a GP 9 between them. They were headed for the local Toyota plant.

Going back when the plant was first built about two decades ago they had a couple of sidings and two SW type locomotives to service the plant. Then came a expansion to the plant followed by two series of rail facility expansions. Now they have a fair sized yard and use quite a lot more in motive power. Also this line then continues into Kitchener and this city now also sees a lot more rail activity.

The GEXR also took over the CN line that ran through town and they really done some serious increase in business. Again two decades ago they had one switcher of the SW type family in town, while now there are at least three and quite often four GP 38 or GP 40’s in town. Gotta love it.

I certainly wish that all the branch lines that were torn up in the late 80’s and early 90’s still existed. Man that would just make too much sense.

Anyhow this has turned into a bit of a rant but just wanted to express my happiness about the local increase in rail traffic. [:)]

Frank

2

A little town called Morrisville Pa. has a train yard where alot of frieght is shuffled about and the local commuter trains await their runs to Philly Pa. and Trenton N.J. and on to N.Y. but thats not my thrill; Its on the local streets, (requiring 3 crossing in this 2mile wide city), where Staley cars are hauled to the Staley plant where corn syrup is processed for a variety of beverage co’s. Now it might frustrate some people at these crossings, although the waits are usually quite brief, but I am always entertained to watch these trains go by.[:)]

cooltech[8D]