PI Day Trains

Thursday, March 14 was "PI day" (3.14). I went out at noon to try to get the Canadian at Portage Junction in Winnipeg. I saw CN 7044 and CN 1435 working Fort Rouge yard. They were likely the "local" train gathering cars before working the Fort Garry area.


CN 7044 is equipped for remote control and the crew were using that while shunting. While I was watching them, CN 2256 came rolling up on the south track at the head of CN train 199. They stopped with 2256 halfway around the curve at Portage Junction.


I realized this was going to block my view of the Canadian, now imminent, so I went to my car and headed over to Waverley Street to get them there. I was about a minute ahead of VIA 1 and got the shots.



Kokanee Park was on the rear of the Canadian.


I saw them pass through St. James Junction and there was a CN train stopped on the south track near the golf dome. The headlight was not on, indicating the train was unoccupied.


CN 199 was going to be there a while, I guess, as the engineer was out enjoying the view from the "front deck".


I went over to see the parked train. It had CN 8844 and CN 8012 ahead of this engine, faded CN 4761.


That was all the trains I saw on PI Day. I guess one could say I saw 3.14 trains if you count the GP9/GMD1 combination as 0.14. ;)

Don't Try This At Home

I was out with my son and we spotted a CN crew working the Fort Garry industrial area. This is by the former Manitoba Sugar plant. GP9 CN 7044 and GMD1 CN 1405 were shuttling some cars around on and off the main line, under the tender care of the CN crew with their remote control devices. While we were waiting and I was photographing, a deer came running into the field by the tracks, intent on crossing over. Unfortunately, the train was in the way. After a minute or so, the deer ran under the train car. Fortunately the train had stopped for a minute and the deer made it safely.

Don't ever do this. Trains can move at any time in any direction.


Here's one of my favourite engine types, a GMD1.

GMD1!

It's been a while since I've seen a GMD1. I stumbled across this pair working the local industries just north of Symington Yard here in Winnipeg.

CN 7044 and CN 1435 were just north of Canada Gypsum (here). I honestly had no idea they were there when I turned onto Camiel Systems Street. I saw them approaching the road crossing just as I was, so I came to a stop, and so did they. It was raining so I did not spend a lot of time photographing them.



It looked like they were doing a crew change. I think they had trainees (in the bright green vests).

CN 7044 is equipped for remote control operation, as indicated by the light on the roof. Note the odd looking number boards.

There are a few industries on that spur. I've indicated the type of traffic they would have.

• Samuel Coil Processing, steel coils
• Daco, farm feed in hoppers
• Canwel, lumber

It would make a nice little industrial park on a model train layout. Sometime when the weather is nicer, I'd like to go take some photos.