Blocked!

I shared a little of the frustration of drivers everywhere, when a train blocks their passage. In my case it just blocked my view, but it was still a bit frustrating.

I went up to Wilkes Avenue at lunch to see the Hudson Bay. On my way there, I could hear the RTC giving a message to VIA 693 (the Hudson Bay) and CN 304. The Waverley Street crossing was not working, so they were instructed to stop and manually protect the crossing.

After the new BNSF engine rolled by, it was time for CN 304.

CN 304 rolled up on the south track with Dash-9 CN 2517 leading and ex-BC Rail 4644 trailing. Here they are on the CN-CP diamond at St. James Junction.

They slowly trundled past and came to a halt just before the Waverley crossing. Once the conductor got out, it started rolling again and I assume the conductor boarded again.

A few minutes later, as 304 was slowly going by, I was surprised to see a train coming west on the north track. Alas, it was the Hudson Bay! I caught a glimpse of the trailing engine (6456) and I believe the lead engine was 6413 from scanner conversations. No chance of photos!

CN and VIA in Nova Scotia

The kids and I set out for a little railfanning this morning around 9:00. We went by HIT and Rockingham Yard, and I was surprised to see both empty. I talked with David Othen, and after checking the signals at Millview (dark), we concluded that both 148 and 120 had not arrived.

After a short break to feed the kids, I spoke with David and we headed to the Halifax Ocean Terminals (HOT) to wait for 148. We watched GP38 units 4728 and 4722 push some container flats into HOT at 11:00.


At 11:25 CN 148 came into view, led by CN 5729 (SD75I). It had to stop to change the switch and I got this shot. I took video of 148 rolling by the switcher.


We went to a park for a while, then came back to see VIA 15 leave on time at 12:38, with the same consist I saw yesterday on 14.


Finally, we went to HIT and saw CN 120 pushing its consist at 13:04.