CANADIAN RAILWAY HISTORY

September 2011

South Simcoe Railway - Tottenham, Ontario

http://www.southsimcoerailway.ca/

James A. (Jim) Brown photographed SSR 4-4-0 #136  on July 31st, 2011, and included this commentary with his images: After a long absence, Smitty's managed to get Canada's other 4-4-0 back in service. With no fanfare that I'm aware of, #136 appeared on Sunday's trains (July 31st), and fulfilled the entire four round trips between Tottenham and almost-Beeton. Looking  and sounding great, the  exhaust sounded satisfyingly throaty, if a bit off-square, as it climbed the grade southbound. No noticeable rod noise on the left side. So now that #136 is running again, let's hope it has a long, safe and reliable future!

CNR Steam

Hard to believe this photo was shot in 2007!   Wayne Koch took this awesome shot of former CNR Mogul #911 with preserved 40-box cars at Strasburg, PA..

EXPORAIL (CRHA)

http://www.exporail.org/public/index.asp

AMT donates a GP9RM and rolling stock to Exporail

In August,  Mr. Joel Gauthier, President of the Agence Métropolitane de Transport,  announced the generous donation of three significant pieces to Exporail: AMT locomotive 1311, a GP9RM, ex CN 4307, rebuilt in 1990,  Generator car AMT 603, ex CN 15402,

Coach 1101, a low platform, single level car, ex GO, Hawker Siddley built circa 1975.  Exporail sincerely thanks the AMT for this generous donation.

PHOTOS:  AMT 1311 with a generator car and rack of Bombardier coaches departs Dorval, Quebec on July 25, 2009. Michel Lortie

Autumn is upon us, thank you to everyone who participated in Exporail’s exciting activities over this past summer. Starting after Labour Day, Exporail will revert to seasonal hours as indicated below:

In September, Exporail will be open every day September 1 to September 5, 10:00 to 18:00 (6 PM) and will be in full operation. Thereafter, Exporail will be open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 17:00 (5:00 PM).

 From Everywhere to you at the Hays Station – This new permanent exhibition illustrates the role of rail yards and the management of rail movements. Learn what goes on behind the scenes in railway operation.

Railway Witnesses, Memory of a Nation – This new temporary exhibition highlights the important role played by railway companies in Canada’s history for the past 175 years. It is generously illustrated with artefacts from the CRHA Archives.                                                           

September 17 and 18, From Horsecar to Metro – a special weekend celebrating 150 years of public transit by rail in Montreal. Visit the trams in the Grand Pavilion, ride 1959 around the property, listen to a conference given by our Daniel Laurendeau on the history of Montreal’s rail transit.

 Drawing for a VIA Rail Canada trip to Vancouver – While at Exporail, buy a ticket at the gift shop, at a cost of $10 each, for a chance to win a first class trip for 2 persons from Montreal to Vancouver, courtesy of VIA Rail Canada; second prize is a package for 2 aboard the Le Massif Charlevoix train; third prize is a dinner train experience on the Orford Express, proceeds go to help support Exporail!

Canadian Rail Magazine

http://www.exporail.org/public/en/5_achf/3_publications.asp

 The July – August issue of Canadian Rail features the White Pass & Yukon Railway, as well as a tribute to Canada’s first railroad, the Champlain & St. Lawrence whose 175th. anniversary we celebrated in July. Canadian Rail is mailed to CRHA members and is available at better hobby shops. 

Alberta Railway Museum

http://www.albertarailwaymuseum.com/

 On a recent visit to the museum in early August Jesse Acorn photographed CP GP30 5000 at the end of the museum's spur near the gate to greet people coming in.  It was then moved back near the shops, since a company was contracted to repair some of the track which is in abominable condition. The museum focuses mostly on CN equipment, and this could be a reason why they've let this poor CP orphan deteriorate into the state it's in. Jesse also clicked CRLX 1561 which is former CP GP9u 1561, which had been stored at Stettler, Alberta and now destined to the Imperial Esso plant in East Edmonton, Alberta. It is owned by a gentleman currently in Africa working as a missionary who leases his locomotives to fund his missions. The locomotive was owned by CRLX in September last year. It's in fresh black paint, with the only lettering being the numbers on the numberboards.  GTW GP9 4520 had been sitting in Walker Yard in Edmonton for around 10 years prior to arriving at the museum. This engine was donated by Canadian National.  

York Durham Heritage Railway

www.ydhr.ca

Guelph Historical Railway Association

http://www.ghra.ca/

Toronto Railway Historical Association

http://www.trha.ca/

 Re-Toronto Railway Heritage Centre:

 The Toronto Railway Historical Association (TRHA)  ( www.trhc.ca ) now offers guided tours every Saturday at 12:30 PM. at the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre in downtown Toronto. On this tour you will experience the rich railway heritage of this most historic site, and the huge changes in the railway presence in downtown Toronto over the last 150 years! The tours are researched and conducted by railway historians Derek Boles and Thomas Blampied, both published authors of Toronto railway history books. There is no charge for the hour-long tours which begin at Don Station, in the middle of Roundhouse Park, located immediately south of the CN Tower.

 Note that they also offer an extensive tour behind the scenes at Union Station.  These tours are offered once a month on the last Saturday of the month.  The cost is $10.00 per person.  To join this tour meet by the Traveler's Aid counter in the centre of the Union Station’s Great Hall at 10:50 a.m.   Check their website at www.TRHA.ca  for tour updates and information,

Roundhouse Museum Toronto Ontario

(Walter E Pfefferle)

On Wednesday Aug. 10th the Geezer Club took its annual GO trip and stopped off at the Roundhouse Museum  in Toronto. We wanted to get some shots of "Vicky" the locomotive and train set used in the Railway Children production. Russ Millard and Michael Guy welcomed us and allowed us to peak inside the shop to see what work is underway. As usual the dedicated volunteers were hard at work and are the reason the museum has grown to the showcase it now is. Who would have thought it would have grown into the showcase it now is when only a  a few years ago the bulldozers were lined up to demolish this treasure. A "hats off" to all those that have participated in this rebirth.

Do yourself a favour and add the roundhouse to your "bucket list", you will be glad you did.

Here are a couple of photos taken of Vicky in action and some of the items on display at the museum.

(Photos Walter E Pfefferle)

A photo essay of the Geezer GO trip and additional photos can be seen here

Cochrane Railway & Pioneer Museum

http://www.museumsontario.com/en/58//88?searchFor=436

 Cochrane Ontario's rich railway heritage was dealt a blow Sunday August 14th as fire engulfed and destroyed 2 cabooses which were part of the Cochrane Railway & Pioneer Museum. The museum hasn't opened for a couple of years and was in very bad shape at the time of the blaze. The local OPP are considering the fire as suspicious and the investigation is on-going.

Last run of the Guelph Junction Express 

(By Tim Ball)

http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2011/sept11/gjexpress1.pdf

http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2011/sept11/gjexpress2.pdf

© CRO Sept 2011