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Occasional Canadian photos, mostly from Vancouver area


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While out grocery shopping this afternoon, we were held up at a level crossing by empty tanks being taken to the fuel storage facility at Ioco. Here are GP38AC #3011 and GP38-2 #7304 on the crossing:

IMG_4978.JPG.4e2261f3b69106d7d14aec513e9f3c92.JPG

 

and here's a closeup of #7304, in its increasingly tatty Delaware and Hudson colours:

IMG_4979.JPG.4bc718430e4c94addde769e4285e822a.JPG

 

It must be due for a repaint very soon. I wonder if they might redo it in D&H colours, as it's one of the last two still in that colourscheme, and CP have done a few units in 'heritage' CP colourschemes recently.

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Here's a Ken Perry shot of the Dayliner at Shawinigan Lake station during the E&N's 90th anniversary celebrations. And a view of the Pacer 142049 on the BC Hydro Railway (once an electrified inter-urban line) when it ran between Vancouver and New Westminster as part of the EXPO 86 exhibition. BREL/Leyland hoped to sell the Leyland National-based units abroad but they were nowhere near suitable for use in North America. (CJL)

Dayliner Shawnigan K Perry.jpeg

Pacer in Canada.jpeg

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I find this photograph dreadfully sad, not least because as a picture it is personal favourite. I pitched up at Woss Camp after operations on the Englewood logging railway between Woss and Beaver Cove had ended for the day. The 302 had just arrived back at Woss and was being refuelled ready for next day. I recognised the guy doing the fuelling as Engineer, Roland Gaudet, because he appears in a video 'The Last Logging Road' about the Englewood operation. Roland was one the five railwaymen killed in the accident which subsequently closed down the Englewood railway, when a cut of loaded log cars ran away and struck a work crew. A derail attached to a rotten sleeper had failed to stop the runaway. (CJL)724000288_WossRolandGaudet.jpeg.4d7fadfcc3eb5a3e92df8fcf6c1c3f27.jpeg

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5 minutes ago, dibber25 said:

And a view of the Pacer 142049 on the BC Hydro Railway (once an electrified inter-urban line) when it ran between Vancouver and New Westminster as part of the EXPO 86 exhibition.


The Pacer never ran on the Hydro railway between Vancouver and  New Westminster - the line had long since been cut back at the Vancouver end. During Expo86 it ran a regular route from New Westminster to Abbotsford on the BC Hydro Railway.

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Thanks for the correction, it's prompted me to look out the original print, so I can also acknowledge the photographer, Michael Wilkie. His caption in full is:

Passenger Extra RB-100 east crossing the Serpentine River at mileage 11.9 Fraser Valley Subdivision on BC Hydro Rail, at 9.45am June 28 1986.

It would be interesting to know the current status of this particular unit as some are being preserved and others scrapped. (CJL)

 

Edited by dibber25
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9 minutes ago, dibber25 said:

Thanks for the correction, it's prompted me to look out the original print, so I can also acknowledge the photographer, Michael Wilkie. His caption in full is:

Passenger Extra RB-100 east crossing the Serpentine River at mileage 11.9 Fraser Valley Subdivision on BC Hydro Rail, at 9.45am June 28 1986.

It would be interesting to know the current status of this particular unit as some are being preserved and others scrapped. (CJL)

 

Sadly its been scrapped, page down for list.

 

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/pacer-withdrawals-the-list-reference.202149/

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9 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

A pity, but not surprising. I have seen pictures of this unit on its trip to Canada - it was landed on the east coast (presumably Halifax NS) and shipped across on flatcars, so it had travelled pretty extensively, albeit not under its own power. I can no longer find the correspondence I had with the very friendly PR officer on BC Rail, but I believe it was also tested by BC Rail staff, though possibly not on their property. (CJL)

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The 'Port turn', Nanaimo-Parksville-Port Alberni freight passes through Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park. This is the same train shown previously on the trestle at Cameron Lake. The route is presently 'moth-balled' with basic maintenance being carried out by a volunteer group which has installed a new spur at Coombs. It is hoped that at some stage the line can be re-opened, possibly for tourist trains connected with cruise ships calling at Port Alberni, but at present this seems as remote a possibility as ever. (CJL)

E&N  Port turn Qualicum Falls.jpeg

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On 13/09/2020 at 12:50, dibber25 said:

Thanks for the correction, it's prompted me to look out the original print, so I can also acknowledge the photographer, Michael Wilkie. His caption in full is:

Passenger Extra RB-100 east crossing the Serpentine River at mileage 11.9 Fraser Valley Subdivision on BC Hydro Rail, at 9.45am June 28 1986.

It would be interesting to know the current status of this particular unit as some are being preserved and others scrapped. (CJL)

 

Chris, if you go back a page or two you'll find my shot of the Pacer in BCR's North Van yard so it obviously made onto the property. 

That's the first shot I've seen of it actually in operation.

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  • 1 month later...

I may have put these up on a previous version of RMWeb, but I can't find them on this version. 

 

These are from Expo86 in Vancouver (in 1986, strangely enough) which was originally meant to be Transpo86, but was expanded in scope. They were taken in the CN yard in Vancouver, except the last one. It was taken in Abbotsford, the destination of the regular return trips on the BC Hydro railway from New Westminster to Abbotsford.  

 

Scan007.jpg.c0b94d029a5195f7121913a8caae6faa.jpg

 

Scan008.jpg.3036740111bead7d22d905cc318834ba.jpg

 

Scan004.jpg.b7f1e2d782533127d505b119a74edcc3.jpg

 

Scan005.jpg.d048457d6120839c23472a2e91fe5f32.jpg

 

Scan006.jpg.cdb6da0ba869b26eb8f4e5ac645ef3c3.jpg

 

Scan010.jpg.3eef89d0b4153f4c7c7dce432dedeb5e.jpg

 

Scan012.jpg.6654a348dd19bf88360bc6aef5f29be2.jpg

 

Scan014.jpg.666606dbc8b51908119e41eeaf90d947.jpg

 

Scan015.jpg.69dc3d97f50321584bc1028d849111bc.jpg

 

And another couple of pictures of locos attending Expo86, that I know I have posted in other topics here, but include here again:

 

Scan011.jpg.fdfb08a391a578b7258fed63c3644b52.jpg 

 

Scan009-001.jpg.763e073c42a5c63d4907ce6698e86f10.jpg

 

CN1392.jpg.d1196fb439ad543600b2e7f8f74c5082.jpg

 

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7 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

What is that strange looking locomotive in pic # 6? It looks as if its fitted with some sort of winch.

 

 

It is (apparently) a 'gypsy', used in logging operations in Northern California. Here's more information on the type:

 

https://www.mendorailhistory.org/1_railroads/locos/falk_gypsy.htm

 

The loco in the photo is one of only two of the type still in existence. Incidentally, you can see that the photo of the restored 'Falk' in that article was taken at Expo86 - the Skytrain guideway is visible in the background.

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On 28/10/2020 at 00:11, PhilJ W said:

What is that strange looking locomotive in pic # 6? It looks as if its fitted with some sort of winch.

 

There were extensive scale drawings of this loco, or  an almost identical one, in an old edition of 'Narrow Gauge & Shortline Gazette"

 

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Turning up unannounced and only hoping to snatch a shot of a working F Unit, on 21st July, 2016 a friend and I were given a guided tour of the Ontario Southland Railway shops at Salford Ont.

.

Using his cell phone, our guide tracked down that days' working unit, and gave us directions to Beachville, where 'you should get some good shots' and told the crew to expect us there.

.

Excellent day.21072016-Salford-24-mod-1.jpg.9abaf7e0f1f4ef8beb3cbdb1cf7d159b.jpg21072016-Beachville-3-mod-2.jpg.dadb4e8ee4ed6355dce315e2b87230e2.jpg

 

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42 minutes ago, br2975 said:

There were extensive scale drawings of this loco, or  an almost identical one, in an old edition of 'Narrow Gauge & Shortline Gazette"

 


More than that, there is 7.x gauge set of drawings available.  (& perhaps build instructions), via Live Steam -   NOV/DEC 1992 to MARCH/APRIL 1994.  There's a bit more info on the Chaski Home Shop Machinist site.  (though they reference back to the NGSG, and say the date is Jan/Feb and May/Jun 88

http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?t=27137

James

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  • 1 month later...

SD30C-ECoS #5011 and #5019 at Port Moody this afternoon:

 

IMG_0172.jpg.4b18e6ca888e1629b923acd9a0b3468c.jpg

 

They are switching at Pacific Coast Terminals, which export various products by ship. The two different colours of tank in the background contain ethylene glycol and canola oil. I can't remember which is which, but I'm sure PCT know! They also export bulk sulphur and potash.

Edited by pH
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On 13/09/2020 at 12:50, dibber25 said:

Thanks for the correction, it's prompted me to look out the original print, so I can also acknowledge the photographer, Michael Wilkie. His caption in full is:

Passenger Extra RB-100 east crossing the Serpentine River at mileage 11.9 Fraser Valley Subdivision on BC Hydro Rail, at 9.45am June 28 1986.

It would be interesting to know the current status of this particular unit as some are being preserved and others scrapped. (CJL)

 

 

It led another unit to EMR Kingsbury on the 28th of January and wouldn't have survived much longer. As a tribute I photoshopped it's dot matrix destination panel. 

 

It was also a little known fact that it was shipped to the wrong Vancouver, and was loaded onto flat cars for the trip north through Washington State. Or why else would a Pacer be seen with the Port of Longview Alco?

FB_IMG_1580396015880.jpg

IMG_20200116_125438~2.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...

Flashback to 1976 and a fluke, grabbed shot. Canadian National GMD-1 No. 1000 sprints over the Island Highway and the Canadian Pacific (E&N) main line at Koksilah en route to Deerholme. We heard the horn sounding and were expecting a train on the CP line. The CP line is visible on the left of the picture just this side of the highway. All trace of the CN has now gone from this location and the CP line here is abandoned and derelict. (CJL)

CN 1000 at koksilah.jpeg

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  • 4 weeks later...

A few photos from a frustrating hour or so around the CP yards in Port Coquitlam this afternoon.

 

Canadian National SD70M-2 #8903 as the pusher on an eastbound train of grain empties:

IMG_0211.jpg.a62f45d35414e1e238173c7a3e88f7aa.jpg

 

There was a PW maintenance crew working at the west end of the yards. They had a high-rail truck, but it was on its road wheels:

IMG_0213.jpg.80402347dd21d2cd782b07f389bd1d1c.jpg

 

and a couple of track maintenance machines. I don't pretend to know exactly what they do:

IMG_0216.jpg.a2507ffbe007de0922d98db782aa6244.jpg

 

IMG_0220.jpg.555a6d7377c77eb214619c4ab579ea4b.jpg

 

That last picture posed itself - I just pointed and shot! There are about five tracks between that nearest rail and the machine.

 

The frustration came from what I missed. First, a Kansas City Southern unit leading a train that passed over a level crossing behind me. I did try to chase it, but got to the next crossing about 5 cars back in the lineup, exactly as the units passed over the crossing. I've only ever seen 3 KCS units here, and not managed to photograph any of them.

 

Then a set of 3 CP units, including a SD70ACu, which pulled forward off a train, then backed up between trains in the yard before I could park the car and get out. 

 

Plus several CP units moving around on the other side of the yard, too far away to photograph, and I didn't have the time to go round that side.

 

But hey! It was a nice day, and I got some fresh air.

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Eastbound West Coast Express along south shore of Burrard Inlet this afternoon:

IMG_2461-001.JPG.5fbd1d2b3fcf575ad5ac2c17d2d4b21a.JPG

 

A bit blurred - two SD30C-ECoS on a massive train of grain empties through Port Moody:

IMG_2450.JPG.d11e320ab7d25e74a2e2e69ff721ffbe.JPG

Edited by pH
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Happy Hippo asked for more information on the Ioco industrial spur. I've posted photos of locations on the spur on here before. I've included them in this post, plus a few more.

 

The line is about 5.5 km long. It serves a storage facility for petroleum products. This used to be a refinery, but the refinery operation has been closed down, and the refined product is transported by pipeline from refineries in Alberta. The refinery was built by the Imperial Oil Corporation (hence the IOCO name) and started operation in 1915. A company town was built adjacent to the refinery. Most of the buildings are still there, but all are boarded up (except one). It's a modern ghost town. There is now usually only one train a day out-and-back along it. It takes empty tanks to the storage facility and loaded tanks out.

 

The spur starts from a triangular junction on the CPR mainline through Port Moody. Here's the east to north leg of the junction, turning off under the Skytrain (rapid transit) line:

IMG_2451.JPG.30ea993f26bdcf2a48c69e01b4b47178.JPG

 

The west to north leg is difficult to photograph successfully. The best view is probably from a Skytrain.

 

Immediately after the two legs of the junction come together, they cross a major arterial road. Here's a CPR special train crossing that road:

post-1771-0-59308900-1376867641.jpg.3545d2e0a5bc586a3fa0abb4bf33fd82.jpg

 

There's a long (for the spur) straight after that, past a soccer field:

IMG_2449.JPG.972fb870295286bd422c627e8d846418.JPG

 

There used to be a parallel track on the left here. The annual World Handcar Racing Championships were held here, but I believe they're held in California now. The crossing here leads to walking trails round an inlet. Here's the CPR special previously shown crossing the road, sitting beside the soccer field:

post-1771-0-08582500-1376867530.jpg.36edb4a7edb5e250a7bac56906c5f3ec.jpg

 

It appears an engine has been standing here at some time with the sanders open:

IMG_2447.JPG.d1750f1c6b13c0ae904d0c14da2d438f.JPG

 

Happy Hippo's request came after I had posted a picture of a trestle just beyond the soccer field. Here are three views of the trestle: over, under, sideways – but not down:

IMG_2446.JPG.df6a624cb89a71ad284b3a6cb1020e4a.JPG

 

IMG_0205.jpg.6a0fab968ba4f8e6f88c89c54d498f29.jpg

 

post-1771-0-23124200-1393640135.jpg.9c0a6a1ac336efa994ea2f5955724207.jpg

 

After this, the track once joined a local logging line for a short distance. The logging line then separated again to serve a sawmill on the inlet. The ruins of the mill are still there, but no obvious signs of rail lines.

 

The track runs past a small waterside park and city-owned function hall - we've had a birthday party in the park and attended a wedding in the hall.

IMG_2439.JPG.4e60e3f69efeb21bfc032d142de76392.JPG

 

IMG_2440.JPG.3de1477ac42a24861d17ca246082564e.JPG

 

It's apparent, from the tie-plates scattered on the track here and at other places, and from ties stacked at some places, that tie replacement may be happening soon.

 

Usual power for trains on the spur is a couple of GP38ACs and/or GP38-2s. Here's a pair crossing a minor road:

post-1771-0-01946600-1408502600.jpg.c92b3c5389a3f9e47b27450ca036fa24.jpg

 

Approaching the end of the line, the track splits, initially into three sidings:

IMG_2435.JPG.efdb116c93a7dddd1a7111e668fd30bd.JPG

 

then into five sidings inside the fence, shown here with tanks being loaded:

IMG_2430.JPG.1469719f8c1a40c1ce768c2a32d9f582.JPG

 

Here's a shot down another minor road across the three-track section. If you look across the water, you can see a long line of hoppers on a siding on the CPR mainline. This is a unit train of potash, brought from Saskatchewan, being unloaded for storage before being exported by ship.

IMG_2434.JPG.1f8450b187aef78e9c32370257747cf8.JPG

 

I hope these pictures have made the Hippo Happy.

 

 

Edited by pH
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3 hours ago, pH said:

Happy Hippo asked for more information on the Ioco industrial spur. I've posted photos of locations on the spur on here before. I've included them in this post, plus a few more.

 

The line is about 5.5 km long. It serves a storage facility for petroleum products. This used to be a refinery, but the refinery operation has been closed down, and the refined product is transported by pipeline from refineries in Alberta. The refinery was built by the Imperial Oil Corporation (hence the IOCO name) and started operation in 1915. A company town was built adjacent to the refinery. Most of the buildings are still there, but all are boarded up (except one). It's a modern ghost town. There is now usually only one train a day out-and-back along it. It takes empty tanks to the storage facility and loaded tanks out.

 

The spur starts from a triangular junction on the CPR mainline through Port Moody. Here's the east to north leg of the junction, turning off under the Skytrain (rapid transit) line:

IMG_2451.JPG.30ea993f26bdcf2a48c69e01b4b47178.JPG

 

The west to north leg is difficult to photograph successfully. The best view is probably from a Skytrain.

 

Immediately after the two legs of the junction come together, they cross a major arterial road. Here's a CPR special train crossing that road:

post-1771-0-59308900-1376867641.jpg.3545d2e0a5bc586a3fa0abb4bf33fd82.jpg

 

There's a long (for the spur) straight after that, past a soccer field:

IMG_2449.JPG.972fb870295286bd422c627e8d846418.JPG

 

There used to be a parallel track on the left here. The annual World Handcar Racing Championships were held here, but I believe they're held in California now. The crossing here leads to walking trails round an inlet. Here's the CPR special previously shown crossing the road, sitting beside the soccer field:

post-1771-0-08582500-1376867530.jpg.36edb4a7edb5e250a7bac56906c5f3ec.jpg

 

It appears an engine has been standing here at some time with the sanders open:

IMG_2447.JPG.d1750f1c6b13c0ae904d0c14da2d438f.JPG

 

Happy Hippo's request came after I had posted a picture of a trestle just beyond the soccer field. Here are three views of the trestle: over, under, sideways – but not down:

IMG_2446.JPG.df6a624cb89a71ad284b3a6cb1020e4a.JPG

 

IMG_0205.jpg.6a0fab968ba4f8e6f88c89c54d498f29.jpg

 

post-1771-0-23124200-1393640135.jpg.9c0a6a1ac336efa994ea2f5955724207.jpg

 

After this, the track once joined a local logging line for a short distance. The logging line then separated again to serve a sawmill on the inlet. The ruins of the mill are still there, but no obvious signs of rail lines.

 

The track runs past a small waterside park and city-owned function hall - we've had a birthday party in the park and attended a wedding in the hall.

IMG_2439.JPG.4e60e3f69efeb21bfc032d142de76392.JPG

 

IMG_2440.JPG.3de1477ac42a24861d17ca246082564e.JPG

 

It's apparent, from the tie-plates scattered on the track here and at other places, and from ties stacked at some places, that tie replacement may be happening soon.

 

Usual power for trains on the spur is a couple of GP38ACs and/or GP38-2s. Here's a pair crossing a minor road:

post-1771-0-01946600-1408502600.jpg.c92b3c5389a3f9e47b27450ca036fa24.jpg

 

Approaching the end of the line, the track splits, initially into three sidings:

IMG_2435.JPG.efdb116c93a7dddd1a7111e668fd30bd.JPG

 

then into five sidings inside the fence, shown here with tanks being loaded:

IMG_2430.JPG.1469719f8c1a40c1ce768c2a32d9f582.JPG

 

Here's a shot down another minor road across the three-track section. If you look across the water, you can see a long line of hoppers on a siding on the CPR mainline. This is a unit train of potash, brought from Saskatchewan, being unloaded for storage before being exported by ship.

IMG_2434.JPG.1f8450b187aef78e9c32370257747cf8.JPG

 

I hope these pictures have made the Hippo Happy.

 

 

Yes thank you, these are great.

 

Unfortunately, Mick (New Bryford) also saw them and has now melted into a pile of soapy bubbles!

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Good to see those.  I have many happy memories of Vancouver from my 5 visits to the city. My aunts lived on McKenzie Street in the 5200's and I remember that when they drove into town we crossed a similar looking spur but never saw a train.

 

Jamie

Edited by jamie92208
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1 hour ago, jamie92208 said:

Good to see those.  I have many happy memories of Vancouver from my 5 visits to the city. My aunts lived on McKenzie Street in the 5200's and I remember that when they drove into town we crossed a similar looking spur but never saw a train.

 

Jamie


Almost certainly CP’s Arbutus line. Now closed and (eventually, after much bargaining) bought by the city as a walking/cycling path known as the Arbutus Greenway.

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