Maintainace required

[Junctionfan]

Just got word from former CN dispatcher about the CN Grimsby Subdivision. This subdivision operates 16 trains a day including 2 VIA and 2 Amtrak and is the major route between Toronto and Buffalo. Out of 43.7 miles this subdivision is, there are presently 20 slow orders and the slow orders encompass a large amount of track. This include bad track due to ties, drainage problems, pretty sure there is something wrong with Jordon trestle, and the track bows in places.

[CliqueofOne]

A month or so ago I was down at Nash Road on the Grimsby Sub in Hamilton doing a bit of signal construction work for the Red Hill Creek Expressway project. There is a six bolt insulated joint on the south track east of Na***hat has a couple of bolts missing and the other four loose. The joint gets pounded so much that there is a mud crater around it. One morning as my foreman and I observed the morning passenger train from Niagara Falls to Toronto going by I pointed at the joint with a shocked look on my face. I imagine quite a few passengers could both hear and feel that joint. And since they could see me pointing at that location, a few rear-ends must have puckered and/or snapped shut. [xx(] If only they realized just how much the Grimsby Sub along with other subs owned by the new CN [:(] have become so worn out that the back tracks on the back lines in Southwestern Ontario of 30 to 35 years ago were in better shape. Signal Mechanic. Signal Department. Canadian National Railways. [V]

[Junctionfan]

Here is basically all the problems with the CN Grimsby Subdivision that I know of. All of this is first hand experience so it is factual I'm afraid.

Mile 8.1 (Seaway)-lift bridge has slow order on it. Reason is likely because it normally has sectional rail. Since the Seaway doesn't operate in the winter, CN than replaces the rail with ribbon rail. They have done this always as far as I know. What does this do to wooden ties though-constant spikes in, out, in, out. Don't know when the last time there was even maintainace on the tracks on the bridge.

Mile 10.6 (Glendale) south track near switch machine has sharp bow in track. Trains look like they go over a reverse speed bump. Both north and south track's rail seems to be chipping, worn and slightly bent where the wheel flanges go.

Mile 11.8 (St. Catharines) bad ties all the way from St. Paul St. West bridge to Louth St. Crossing. Likely all the way past Vansickle Rd. Crossing too on both tracks; north track in particular at VIA station. There are wierd twists and bows due to muddy conditions as the area has a high concentration of clay. South track and underneath St. Paul St. West and north track at station does this.

Mile 17.5 (Jordon) large trestle over a body of water. Bad track and is starting to feel like there might me structural problems. Existing slow orders already.

Between station sign Jordon and Beamsville, is a town called Vineland and it has at least 1 slow order on the only track that there is.

Mile 23.5 (Beamsville) bad track at Book Road. Vias go slow through there.

Mile 27.4 (Grimsby) ties on both tracks are degrading and mud is seeping up onto the ballast like at St.Catharines Station. No slow orders currently that I am aware of.

Mile 32.5 (Winona) and mile 37.6 (Millen) many slow orders scattered through out. May also have problems with double cross overs at Millen.

Mile 39.3 (Stoney Creek) one big slow order pretty much.

Mile 40.6 (Kenilworth) not to bad but excessive amounts of railroad crossings makes it feel like a slow order. May have slow orders but didn't notice any green flags about.

Mile 42.3 (Birch) and mile 43.7 (Hamilton). Really bad track conditions in between thease station signs. Felt like we were riding on the ties at one point. Obviously slow orders. Tracks didn't start to improve until Bayview Junction which is Oakville Subdivision.

[CliqueofOne]

At this rate the Grimsby Sub will become one big slow order with other subs soon to follow.[V] What a brilliant way to run a railway into the ground. HH [D)] [:o)] has gone completely mad. Stark raving mad.[:p] Yet unfortunately he still he has his fanatical supporters.[*^_^*][X-)] Much like another lunatic of a bygone era with a last name that starts with H. Yes, the CN of today has become a cult. [#wstupid] And my job when I retire in 2 years and 9 months, will to be a deprogrammer for the victims [bow] of this madman. Signal Mechanic. Signal Department. Canadian National Railways. Not impressed - not intimidated. [yeah]

[Junctionfan]

You should check out the Stamford Subdivision. It is getting pretty bad too. If I find the mile posts, I'll give a nice detailed report on the crap conditions of that line too.

[CliqueofOne]

I know all about the Stamford. I was at Kalar and Beaverdams for the crossing upgrades this spring. In the summer and fall of 2002, I was involved in the re-installation of Brookfield East bungalow and the removal of Yager East. While there I did wiring changes in Yager, Robbins, and Robbins West bungalows. I also installed the crossing protection at Robbins East/Burger Road in 1998 and Portage Road in 1994. I'm also involved with the Sand Plant Hill (Grimsby Sub/QEW) job. I get around. I see a lot. I'm not keeping quiet. Signal Mechanic. Signal Department. Canadian National Railways.