Well, credit two rambunctious kids for this week's post. I love my daughters, but they were getting a little crazy by the end of the Easter long weekend. My wife was giving me that look like she needed a break so I packed my kids in the car and took them to Fallowfield Station. My goal was to catch Train 42 from Toronto. I singled out this train for two reasons. One, it's a double ender, which means it has a P42 on each end of the consist. Two, I have seen recently that it has consistently featured a wrapped P42. I had a camera freeze up the last time I tried to catch the wrapped P42. This was the best shot I got at the Twin Elm crossing back in early March. Can you see the Canada 150 wrapped P42 at the back?
I wanted to make up for that camera malfunction and was pleased when I saw Train 42 approaching Fallowfield Road. This is what I saw. Made me smile. It also made me realize this might be the first time I have ever looked forward to seeing a P42. Ever.
I rolled down the windows and let my daughters hear and see the train from the safety of the car. I stepped out to get a better shot. Here's my favourite shot of the meet.
Via 918 leads the way. I've noticed Train 42 is typically a five-car consist with a GE unit on either end. This one in particular had a repainted Business Class car, a Canada 150 wrap, an older LRC coach in the old colours and two renaissance-painted LRC cars. The consist was trailed by P42 902, which was in the renaissance scheme.
Here's the shot of the wrapped car. Hello, Halifax, Stratford, White River and Montreal. Note the train's reflection in the puddles in the ditch. A nice surprise when I was reviewing the images.
Here's one final shot from the platform. You can see P42 902 with the trailing lights glowing orange. Or so it appears in this photo.
Actually, here's a bonus shot of the trailing P42, showing signs of wear near the rear. Those new wraps sure are hiding a lot of nicks! The units that have not been wrapped look positively beat up by comparison.
As mentioned, this week's post is a bit of a impromptu post, since my original idea was not ready, but I am really excited by the next post. It includes a bit of everything. Stay tuned.
8 comments:
Nailed it! Well done.
I've seen a few closeups of the noses of the wrapped P42s and they look a little lumpy from all the dings! I'm sure they do whatever patch work they can before applying the wraps but those units have seen a lot of abuse over the years.
I've noticed (and been in) a few of the non-repainted LRC economy class cars and despite the old outside paint, they have the rebuilt insides with leather seats.
Thanks for the comments, gents. I can't believe how much blog space has been devoted to Via lately, on this blog and others. Amazing what a few repainted cars and locomotives will do.
And thank you for keeping up the ratio of cars:locomotives photographed with the CANADA 150 wraps, Michael!
Eric
More of a necessity, but glad to maintain balance. I don't see enough trains to be picky! Plus, I think it's fun to show as many Via destinations as possible. Thanks for your comment, Eric.
I don't see a way to PM you, but if you email me at markus@wandel.ca, I can send you a dump of my phone today (only 5MP crappy camera, sorry). The Renfrew spur is getting track maintenance and they were right at the point where the bike path crosses, so I took some pix and video. You can nuke this comment after you've read it. If you want to get your own, better photos, they'll doubtlessly be at it for a few days given the pace of the work, but you're also free to put up my pictures if you like.
I might add that getting the new ballast to the site involved a mighty big train movement (the line goes past my neighbourhood). I didn't have time to go see what it was, but the new ballast explained all. There's bound to be more ballast trains which would make cool photos by Beachburg sub standards these days.
Hey there -- you can email at hammond.michael AT gmail.com. I will follow up with you soon. Thanks!
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