Some Snapshots from 1978

This post looks at some snapshots, generally in 1978, at Kingston, Napanee, Rockcliffe and Montreal West. 

My adult photographic career began with a point and shoot Vivitar camera using 110 film cassettes. The film speed and tiny negative yielded grainy photos. However, the camera's small size and cheapness allowed me to stow it in my car - so I could snap any railway subjects which happened to present themselves. While the 110 prints retain their yellow tints, a number of the other colours have dropped out over the years, so some adjustment has been necessary.

Some of these photos were snapped by a new Yashica 35 mm SLR. The difference in quality will probably be quite clear to you.

In the late 1970s, only the robins were using the rails of the CNR's Deseronto Spur.
Even in the early 1960s, this former Canadian Northern line was listed in employee timetables as a spur.
This may have been taken near the Oliver Side Road, southwest of Napanee.

The east end of the 'new' Kingston station's parking lot was frequented by enthusiasts from diverse walks of life. Radio scanners were becoming a popular accessory. There were no 'talking' defect detectors, however, the tailend crews and passenger conductors were often quite chatty.

A real technological novelty was a brought here a few times by a fan - the first video camera ... a heavy Sony Beta recorder was carried with a shoulder strap. It was connected to a large newscam style camera balanced on the opposite shoulder.

In this photo, a future author of note can be seen on the platform.

The parking lot east enders were often entertained by the interplay between departing eastbounds in a hurry, the timed out crossing circuit with its local restarting circuit at the end of the platform ... and motorists who were not 'rail safety aware' or who were trying to save a little time. Often, the contracted-out Econoline baggage van, servicing the tailend baggage car of a train, worked to beat its headend at the crossing.

Baggage cars marshaled at the tailend of trains was seen as a bit of an abomination. The apparent explanation at the time was that it saved switching time in the coachyard as there was no need to loop the usual consists.

*  *  *

After posting:

Referring to his records of consists and unit repaint dates, 

my brother Eric is more precise about the photos above than I could hope to be:

"Near as I can tell, your photos are from May 27-28, 1978.

I believe the twin baggage car eastbound was VIA No 46/56 which split at Brockville. 

This would be correct for the OS time of my recorded consists

From 1978-1981, the consist of 46/56 was remarkably similar: 

• baggage (Ottawa)
• two to four coaches (Ottawa)
• 2500-series cafe bar lounge (Ottawa)
• club-galley (Ottawa)
• two to four coaches (Montreal)
• 3000-series cafe coach lounge (Montreal)
• baggage (Montreal)"

end of Eric's observation

*  *  *

In the last few years, an MP was asked about transportation between Ottawa and his Toronto area riding. He preferred to fly: "You can take the train, but it takes a long time."

We live in a different era and people can now 'work' (i.e. Facebook) on their computers. But perhaps if cafe bar lounge and club-galley cars were still available, the time would pass more quickly. 

Probably well-documented by others is this unit with two roof-mounted strobe lights. These seemed to be under trial for their ability to reduce crossing accidents. The other oddity was the blue and yellow paint scheme with CN marking. At the time, I think we were told that VIA was a new marketing brand for CN's passenger services.

The relocated Kingston passenger station and parking lot were built on proverbial swampland. The northern Ontario phenomenon of lines built on fill dumped into muskeg could be better understood with the passage of heavy, fast freights. The sensation is a lot like standing on a bed while someone else is jumping up and down on it.

Another unusual feature of this station is that it is built on a fairly steep grade. Here, a westbound with a substantial train is getting out of town. In the time before terrorism paranoia, engineers would spot photographers, and sometimes put on a show if they thought it would make a better picture. Whether or not I was noticed as I walked up the sidewalk of the Princess Street overpass, the engineer is displaying what many enthusiasts consider to be an endearing feature of this power ...

The turbocharger on these units is driven by the engine's exhaust. In the low throttle settings, not enough air is forced in with the fuel if the throttle is advanced rapidly. The fuel is not burned efficiently and the beloved smoke of Alco 'turbo lag' makes an interesting photo.

The last remaining grain elevator in Kingston is seen from near the neighbouring property of the DuPont plant.

At the bottom of the hill east of the 'new' Kingston station is Queens (back then, this railway location had sidings, spurs, a wye and a CPR interchange). Above, the local wayfreight is at work. Notice the superelevated north rail causing the caboose to 'bank' when compared with the switcher's track.

On the former Grand Trunk Railway bridge at Napanee is an eastbound RDC.

In the late 1970s, in hangers at the Rockcliffe airport, was housed some of Canada's national aeronautical collection. Outside of this museum, is a Vickers Viscount in the old Trans-Canada Air Lines paint scheme.

On the hill behind, I think, is part of this former RCAF station's water and sewer system.

At the Westminster Avenue crossing at Montreal West, I am snapping a shot through the windshield of a rare sight (for me). While it would be nice to pretend that this is an eastbound arriving at Montreal West ... if you notice that the headlight is not lit, you will conclude that the bilevel commuter equipment is leading west, with the engineer in the end-of-car control cab.

The interlocking tower is preserved and still exists in the current June 2017 Google view.