Canadian Railroads > 40 yrs ago OTD - Spending the day around North Bay.ON.

Continued coverage of a Great Lakes circle trip with Roger Durfee.  After crossing over from the Upper Penninsula of Michigan into Ontario at Sault Ste. Marie, we had made our way over through Sudbury to spend 6/20/80 in and around North Bay,ON.  The day dawned without a cloud in the sky and we shot a trio of CP RS18s in the early morning light.  Clouds started to roll in as we set up for the eastbound "Canadian".  CP S3 6588 was burbling by the passenger station.  Via #2 pulled into the station with an FP7,RS10,F9B combo for power and 13 cars.

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Top shot of CP RS10 8477 on #2.  Middle shot of the "Algonquin Park" bringing up the rear on #2.  After that we spent some time along the CN, although I don't remember exactly where, and snagged a CN freight with an MLW unit in the middle unfortunately.

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Top shot of a billboard advertising the Ontario Northland's "Northlander". At the time the "Northlander" operated 6 days a week in both directions between Cochrane and Toronto.  Cochrane to North Bay on the ONR and North Bay to Toronto over the CN.  Next 2 shots of the "Northlander" Train #122 at the ONR station in North Bay.  These trainsets were very unique. They were originally ordered by Switzerland and the Netherlands for Trans European Express service.  They were built in 1957. The power cars were built by Workspoor N.V. in Amsterdam and the Trailer Cars by SIG.  In 1977 the ONR bought 4 trainsets, shipped them over and modified them to be compliant with Canadian railway standards. The power cars only lasted until 1979.  I was told that the harsh Canadian winters combined with the unfamiliarity with the european diesels were the reasons for sidelining them.  The power cars were replaced by some of ONR's FP7s that were modified and given matching paint.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/20/20 11:18 by perklocal.

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Next 3 shots are of a trainset coming out of the Shops and heading to the servicing area. As you can see, the sun reappeared.

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Top shot of one of the retired power cars.  I believe that this unit was originally built for Nederlandse Spoorwegen.  Middle shot of ONR FP7 1984 (ex-ONR 1519 built 9-53) modified and painted for "Northlander" service.  Bottom shot of ONR FP7 1520 (built 10-53).  Now that's an attractive paint scheme !



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/20/20 09:40 by perklocal.

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We headed back over to the CP, hoping that the westbound "Canadian" was on time.  VIA #1 had 1414,1961,8472 (FP7.F9B.RS10) for power and 15 cars.  It passed the ONR Shops and made a meet with an eastbound CP piggyback train.   Last shot of #1 accelerating out of town into the setting sun.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/20/20 09:56 by perklocal.

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Nice bunch. That cab car sure has a European look to it.
JB

An "A+" set!
Bob

Interesting road trip, great collection of photos.

North Bay seems to have been an interesting place at that time. I got there way too late, but would still like to get back.

Here's some other North Bay posts and some follow up info on the northlander equipmemt:

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?15,4936832,4937825#msg-4937825
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?15,4896090,4896535#msg-4896535

Great series.

I do like the kerosene markers on Algonquin Park.

Also on #1 it appears that a CN office car is the the first car in the train.

I would say that was a day very well spent!   Great coverage of a different era.

Greg Stadter
Phoenix, AZ

Really enjoyable series!

Larry

Sweet look back Rod ! Refresh me, was this the trip I jumped on the Canadian for a ride between Sudbury and North Bay ?

Roger Durfee
Akron, OH

Yes Roger , You rode on #2 from Sudbury to North Bay on the afternoon of 6/19. It was a rainy miserable day, but I managed to get a few shots as I chased your train east.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/22/20 20:28 by perklocal.

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