Canadian Railroads > CP's Galt Subdivision in 1973

No GE power ventured onto CP rails in this era, unless they were on lease, or part of the C&O run through train. There were even days when GMs were in the minority and Alcos ran the show.

1. May 5 - Four RS18s are about to duck under Regional Road 97 as they blast westward following a lift at Galt.

2. May 5 - Three C424s grind up Orr's Lake hill with a unit acid train, years after steam helpers were employed to assist heavy trains up the ruling grade of the Galt Sub.

3. June 7 - Alcos are again in charge of a westbound as it romps through Galt. RS10 8477, FB2 4468, and an FA2 will have their work cut out for them if they're to make it to the top of the grade at Orr's Lake.

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4. On June 9th this set of first generation Alcos put on quite a visual and audio show as they made a run for Orr's Lake. With power like this it wasn't uncommon for westbounds to stall and have to double the hill. This location was known locally as the "bell crossing," as it was the first crossing westbounds encountered after leaving Galt Station. And it had a bell - get it?

5. June 30 - With a short train RS18s 8761 and 8733 will have an easy go of it today.

6. July 14 - Of all the trains I've photographed on the Galt subdivision, this eastbound at Ayr is one of, if not the most memorable. On a comfortably warm summer evening, I made the short drive to Ayr, just on the chance that I might see something. It wasn't long before six screaming 244 powered Alcos announced their arrival, even before they came bouncing around the curve and into view. I thought for sure a couple of them would explode! For the record they are: FA2 4050, FB1 4408, RS3 8427, RS10 8572, RS3 8439 and RS3 8428. I slept very soundly that night.

James Adeney
Toronto - Home of the Grey Cup Champion Toronto Argonauts

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Difficult to view all those fantastic pictures of the CPR without longing to experience that era once again... Thanks for the memories.

Posted from iPhone

Thanks for posting these. Images two, three, and six really do a beautiful job of capturing Canadian railroading. Your lashup in image six is outstanding.
Bob

Very nice,James thank you

Mark

Wow! Great photos, great power and John Candy must be smiling in Heaven about those Argonauts. The sound must have been awesome. I have many fond memories (and about 3 hours of reel-to-reel stereo tape which I need to digitize) of Alcos on the Long Island Railroad in the same time period, but never in gangs like you watched at Galt.

Great shots! I'm looking forward to more posts of the good old days!

Neil Compton
Calgary, AB



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/28/12 09:32 by Lerchy.

Killer stuff !

Bill Miller
Galt, ON

Good pictures.

CP 4241 (second unit in the second shop) is now owned and operated by the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Incredible stuff! Love it!!
-- Eric Blasko