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CPR Triple Header leaving Union Station

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CPR Triple Header leaving Union Station
Posted by Miningman on Monday, May 21, 2018 12:05 AM

Geez it was 58 years ago this month. My my, time is relentless in it's march. 

slide1n.jpg - 35000 Bytes

Just after the scheduled 10:45 a.m. departure time, the Special is leaving Union Station with the Royal York Hotel in the background. Photo by Jim Walder, John Riddell Collection

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John Street Tower controls all movements through the "Plant" of the Toronto Terminal Railway. Note the red dwarf or pot signals. Photo by Jim Walder, John Riddell Collection

 (This trip was to be 815's last fling as her boiler was condemned on her return). 2nd engine in a  D-10 4-6-0. It was scrapped shortly after. 136 a 4-4-0 and 1057 another D-10 are still with us. 

train1.jpg - 22259 Bytes Trains magazine, on the eve of their final layout deadline, discovered in the mail two bulky packages of photos of the the Tripleheader and promptly dedicated their entire photo section to commemorate this historic event.

For the complete picture layout click here.

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Posted by M636C on Monday, May 21, 2018 6:56 AM

There is an official Canadian Government film (in black and white) of this trip, which includes an interview with Omer Lavallee and other passengers. It gives a pretty good idea of the trip.

Peter

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Posted by SD70Dude on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 10:44 PM

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by Miningman on Thursday, May 24, 2018 12:32 AM

Very nice Dude...thanks. 

I thought the pictures of the Triple Header just getting under way from Union Station were unique and gave a different perspective on things. The old get up and go, those 3 had to be working pretty good to 14 heavyweights and 1,100 on board through the maze at John St. And out onto the mainline. CPR of course had them all shine and polish, even fresh paint of white outlining the tyres, new cab curtains, the works. 

Such a shame the 815, built 1908, was on her last hurrah. As previously mentioned her boiler was condemned upon the trips completion and she was very soon scrapped once her fire went out. Would have been 110 years old this year had she been saved. For many many years 815 was the yard engine in Peterborough and many came down from there to see her last performance. 

136, even older, and 1057 still active at the South Simcoe Railway. 

Man, I really miss steam in regular service, it was so exciting, powerful, alive and even comforting. Good good memories. 

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Posted by Miningman on Friday, January 18, 2019 10:33 PM

Lead engine of the triple header #136. Built 1883 and unbelievably still in regular service 1959. Here are some pics when it was just another engine and not yet famous.

136 long before it became famous. Ottawa 12/15/1936 Floyd Yates



136 in its last year of regular service. Norton, NB July 16, 1959 Joseph Testagrose Collection two photos.

Engineer Charlie Waters resting a while after coaling up for return train from Orangeville.

136_815 doubleheading the day before tripleheader on short trip within terminal. Union Station to Cooksville, ON 
Saturday, April 30, 1960. Bud Laws Collection 

Note engineer Jack Eaton watching for wheel slip something light engines are prone to do when starting. 
R.L.Kennedy standing in gangway. ENLARGE

136 likely taken at Angus when outshopped in 1914 with new superheated boiler and piston cylinders. 

Steve Morris Collection

 

A2q 144 on the shop track at Norton all painted up. 29 behind being worked on and 136 at left in steam. 6/14/1958 
Ken MacDonald/Joseph Testagrose Collection 



A2q 144 CPR New Street Shops 1030 March 1886
Mixed train near Chipman, NB October 2, 1957 Joseph Testagrose Collection

I really like this picture of sister engine 144  ( now preserved at Exporail)

Something like this would still work as a service between mid size rural towns today! 

 

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Posted by Jones1945 on Saturday, January 19, 2019 5:58 AM

Miningman

Geez it was 58 years ago this month. My my, time is relentless in it's march. 

slide1n.jpg - 35000 Bytes

Just after the scheduled 10:45 a.m. departure time, the Special is leaving Union Station with the Royal York Hotel in the background. Photo by Jim Walder, John Riddell Collection

slide2n.jpg - 35915 Bytes

John Street Tower controls all movements through the "Plant" of the Toronto Terminal Railway. Note the red dwarf or pot signals. Photo by Jim Walder, John Riddell Collection 

This is really cool.

Definitely not something that any other transportation vehicle could mimic; such stunning visual impact! Thank you for posting, Vince!

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Posted by Miningman on Saturday, January 19, 2019 10:13 AM

Fixed the build date to 1883, not 1886 which was sister 144.

That makes it 136 years old now, same as its number!

Has retained #136 since 1912. Previous 115 and 140. 

It was used and served in building the Transcontinetal railroad.

In regular everyday service 1883-1960.

How many boiler washes? How many tire changes? How many headlight bulb changes? How many warm washes ( more than me!). Well cared for by the CPR.. high standards and pride. How much did she earn for the CPR all those years? How much freight, how many people did it move?

One can estimate I suppose but only the universe really knows. 

NDG
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Posted by NDG on Saturday, January 19, 2019 11:29 AM

 

CP 144.
 
Here is CP 144 heading a fan trip in the fall of 1959.
 
 
From Here.
 
 
The train has stopped ' For Lunch ' @ Decarie Blvd and the passengers have disembarked and walked to one of the local eateries ( Ruby Foos?? ) once at that location.
 
The bridge above was for Montreal Tramways so their cars could cross CPR without risk or delay.
 
 
Rte 17 was muchly rural, and cars were fitted with reflector headlight and red coal oil marker to rear.
 
Example. Double End One Man Car. End of Steel.
 
 
Those on board were probably aware that streetcars had left Montreal for good in the end of August, 1959, and here, Cartierville Rte 17, in June '59.
 
Steam lasted until June 1960 in Regular Service on Transfers, then too it was gone.
 
The trolley wires and rails already removed, above. 
 
More.
 
 
 
 
FWIW.
 
The Rise of the Phoenix?
 
 
CP 0-10-2.
 
 
Thank You.
 
PS.
 
The Triple Header illustrates another problem with Steam.
 

Stops en route for WATER and or Coal would cause much delay, stopping and spotting.

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Posted by Miningman on Saturday, January 19, 2019 11:44 AM

NDG-- What a beauty. Outstanding! Thanks 

NDG
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Posted by NDG on Saturday, January 19, 2019 12:54 PM
Two 2 FWIWs.
 
In this photo on the two poles to left, the short ' Crossarms '  parallel to wires above and below are to protect Cable immediately beneath from Climbing Spurs of Linesmen climbing and descending pole.
 
 
 
Fender.
 
The two wood strips athwart the rails beneath the Anticlimber are a trigger which, when tripped by an object or person on track allows a hinged curved wood lath scoop beneath front platform to drop to rails and catch object before injury or derailment.
 
The scoop would be triggered by deep snow and the Motorman had a pedal he stepped on to return it to normal position.
 
 
Single Track Side of Road Running.
 
 
Car traveling West on Bois Franc.
 
This spur was constructed to transport War Workers to Aircraft Factories adjacent to Cartierville Airport which dated back to June 1911.
 
 
Looking North. Streetcar would be traveling right to left top of photo to access factories, centre.
 
 
Yes, Montreal Tramways COMPANY was a blue chip outfit.
 
 
CNR once had a Station here, also, and a Turning Loop to short turn commuter trains back to Montreal Central Station.
 
GE Electrics crossing over to turn on loop. Val Royal. Change here Steam/Electric thru Psgr trains.
 
 
Freight crossing over, Val Royal. Note Train Order Signal at left indicating Proceed. Operated by Mechanical rods and levers under track from station beyond train.
 
 
FWIW.
 
Apparently CNR acquired ' parts ' from BA&P when latter dewired.
 
 
From here.
 
 
Thank You.
 

The first train I rode on in the Forties was behind CNR Electrics which then changed to Steam @ Val Royal. ( And the steam heat came on. )

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Posted by Miningman on Saturday, January 19, 2019 3:33 PM

Thanks again NDG. Great history and explanations about equipment and operations. It's important for younger and future generations. We all need to know how it was, how it worked and how we got to were we are today. The best way is first hand on the ground observations from someone like yourself that was part of it, was there and knows. Invaluable.

NDG
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Posted by NDG on Saturday, January 19, 2019 5:09 PM

 

Mr M M.
 
YOU figured it OUT!
 
Its to Inforum as to WHAT is going on in some of the photos!! or to present historic views to those who are interested in history.
 
Some of the images are just cool! 
 
Remember the scene of the Teens and the Rotary Dial Phone.
 
 
I was ' Firing ' a Coal and Coke furnace when I was ten.
 
YOU Defined a word for me re Mining.  Pachucha
 
 
FYI.
 
More Classic Views.
 
MTCo 1054 Motorman Training Car.  Ottawa 1897. Scrapped 1952.
 
The Training Car on an Excursion. 1947?
 
 
Note old streetlight, once Arc?? Most replaced 1950-51 w 375 W Incandescent Mogul Base.
 
When Arc the lamp could be lowered to street on a rope and pulley system so Carbons could be trimmed or replaced.
 
 
Youville Shops. 1936???
 
 
Hochelaga Car Barns. Car right later than 1915.
 
 
 
Ditto Fare Box Car.
 
 
Back then a Group could just charter a streetcar of Their choice and go everywhere on it! Got to be Motorman on the Suburban lines.
 
 
Tramways Rotary at Work.
 
 
Youville Shops. 1958.  Rotary now in USA.
 
 
 
Snow. Large car w Snow Plow.
 
 
 
Business Car w Balcony.
 
 
 
Good for 50.  Wood. Some of Class later rebuilt, regeared for City use.
 
 
From this Site.
 
 
 
Streetcars arrived here in 1896.
 
 
 
Riviere St Pierre. Can Car Spur, Interlocked. Lower Quadrant. 1913 Turcot East. Looking West.
 
 
Ditto. Looking East 1944.
 
 
 
Google approximate view. Looking West.
 
 
Thank You. ( BBB ) 
 
Still drowzy from OR. Just had nap.
 
Taking it easy and finished putting period 4H Dial, new repro receiver cord and new repro Xmitter mouthpiece on this N293GX  Telephone Dated 1932! inside.
 
 

    

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Posted by SD70Dude on Saturday, January 19, 2019 9:52 PM

Great stuff, like always.  Insights into the past are always appreciated!

Glad to see you made it through the operation.  Get lots of rest, you deserve it. 

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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