Railfanning in Ontario?

[88gta350]

Next week I'll be heading to St. Thomas, Ontario to visit family for a few days. We'll be spending a night in Niagra Falls on the way. Any good railfanning in either the Niagra or St. Thomas areas? My wife mentioned something about an excursion train in the St. Thomas area but I wasn't really paying attention (what else is new?). I'd love the chance to see some CP or CN railroading as I've never seen them yet... they don't run anywhere close to me. Any of my Canadian neighbors know the area, eh? [:D]

[heavyd]

St Thomas is very sad to see now compaired to what it was 30+ years ago. Not much is left there. I live between London and Windsor and have been to St Thomas many times. If you want to get depressed then it is ok. The train ride is called Port Stanley Terminal Railway. It operates from Port Stanley to just before St Thomas, this ride is ok, not spectacular. Port Stanley is actually a nice little town to visit for the afternoon, they have a few stores, antiques and what-not. As for train-watching, about the best place is Bayview junction. It is located north-east of Hamilton. I have been there a few times and is never dissapointing. The CN Oakville sub starts there and is basically a big "Y" where the CN double track main-line from Toronto splits to London and Hamilton. The CP Hamilton sub is very close there aswell and they use the CN sometimes. Between CP/CN/GO commuters/VIA passenger and the odd-ball NS there is alot to see. This area was featured in TRAINS mag a few years ago for "Hot Spots" It is repectably close to the Niagara region. There is a pedestrian over-pass right at the junction, this is where most of the railfans go. It is a very well known place for railfanning, lots of people there watching, so the police leave you alone. I can probably dig up directions and other info if you like, email me...

[Hugh Jampton]

Or,, you could pop up to London (about 50km North of St Thomas). Both CN & CP Toronto to Windsor (Detroit) mainlines pass through there, and there's the GMD factory as well.

[Junctionfan]

Fort Erie is an O.K place to go to watch trains. If you are coming from Buffalo, take the QEW to Bowen Rd and get of at the exit. Go right and proceed until you get to Sutherland Drive. Go down there and it will take you to tracks that is used by both CP and CN. It is out in the middle of no where so you shouldn't be bothered by police. There are approximatly 3 NS trains, 6 or more CP trains and 7 CN trains that use the CN Stamford Subdivision. Most of the trains run early morning to noon and than late evening to late night. It can get dead at times though. The best place that you can go to watch both heavy CN and CP trains is west of London, Ontario know as Lobo siding before that there is a wooden bridge off of highway 17 where it goes underneath the CN Strathroy Subdivision and the CP Windsor Subdivision. You are looking at about 50 trains a day; likely more. This includes Via, CN, CP, Triple Crown CN train, CP expressway. You may want to check my London area directions, the map I am using is a little old.