CRO Special Report

 

 

YORK DURHAM HERITAGE RAILWAY - Uxbridge Ontario

by: Walter E Pfefferle

I attended the YDHR Railfan Day on Sept 15 at Uxbridge Ontario and was treated to a day of nostalgia, fun and riding behind RS-3's and an RS-11. It was great day had by all those that attended and everyone left feeling like that had just been a little part of history.

The York-Durham Heritage Railway Association is a non-profit organization created to preserve and promote the heritage of Canadian railways of south-central Ontario. Their goals are:

  • to purchase, preserve and operative railway equipment indicative of the mid-1900's.

  • to provide tourist train operation with vintage equipment reminiscent of the era when steam gave way to diesel.

  • to establish a museum of railway memorabilia.

Currently, they own a variety of diesel locomotives from the 1950's, passenger coaches built just after World War 1 and from the 1950's. We also own a variety of other rolling stock including a caboose (van), flat car, hopper and track maintenance equipment.

The York Durham Heritage opened the line between Uxbridge and Stouffville in 1996 and has been running on summer weekends ever since.

The day started off as the crew and volunteers put the train together and brought to life their pair of RS-3, 1310 and 22. We were also given a YDHR collector engineer hat before we boarded the train. Here we see YDHR 1310 as it waits patiently to get going at the Uxbridge Station and YDHR 22 posing at Goodwood Ontario and a look in the cab.

The day started off with YDHR 1310 and a ride in the 1909 coach from Uxbridge to Goodwood where we were met with the freight led by YDHR 22 then onto Lincolnville which was the end of the line for today and a look at the GO facility located there.

We then headed back to Goodwood to a meet with YDHR 3612 which was bring to be our return train to Uxbridge. We were treated a excellent lunch as we rode through the countryside. Here is a shot of one of the runbys that we were treated to during the day.

We arrived back at the station after a day of riding a bit of history where we were allowed to explore the many pieces of equipment YDHR has on display including a Rules car which was moved to different locations for employees to write their rules test.

The local car club also brought over some of their classics to add to the setting of vintage locomotives and heritage equipment. The crew and volunteers deserve a heads up as the day was well planned and enjoyed by all. I plan on returning next year and you should to.

Additional photos can be seen at http://railfan.thegrebs.com/YDHR-Railfan-Day-Sept-15-2012

including photos of the Budd cars that will be arriving soon.

More information on this fine tourist operation can be found on their web page at http://www.ydhr.ca/

Here is a video of the day and gives you an idea of what you missed.

 

© CRO  2012