Ontario Northlander Last Run - Quick Post

Just wanted to post these two shots quickly.

This was the Northlander, lead by 2 power units, #1809 and #1800, southbound at about 6:15 PM, September 28, 2012 at a crossing between Hwy 16 and Major Mac in Richmond Hill.

I'll upload some video later on.

One last Sunday morning with the Northlander

It's Sunday morning, September 23, 2012.  I'm up and off to a perch high above the East Don River on the off-road biking trails just west of Northline Road in East York.  I was hoping this video could be shot later in the fall when the trees were ablaze in red and gold, and catch the orange and blue colours of Ontario Northland's Northlander as it winds it's way through the Don Valley and northwards on it's run to Cochrane.

However, this is the last Sunday this train will make this trek, the video couldn't wait.  It will still be running for the next 5 days but I'm unlikely to find any time.

It's a chilly morning and I was a bit late getting started.  It took me 25 minutes to reach here, normally it's a 30 minute run.  I made it with seconds to spare as I could hear the familiar bell of the GP38-2 just beyond the bend as I arrived.  In the original footage I'm still catching my breath during the first few seconds and quickly adjusting for position.

It's a slow incline along the edge of the golf course, listen in as power unit #1800 has to crank it up once it crosses the bridge.  The wind was kind enough to abate as the train made it's way past, picking up as it disappeared to the north.

A Face Full of Train

Scooted down to Pottery Road to catch the ONR Northlander, as it's days are coming to an end.  Used the Nikon today to try for a few good snaps.  Would have been better had I realized the white balance was set to incandescent.  Post processed it get the colours decent anyway.

Next Sunday is it's last Sunday run.  I have a week to decide where to shoot from.  I have one Tuesday morning I can try as well depending on timing.

Saved the running for later in the day, at the Terry Fox Run (Wilket Creek), 3 1/2 miles to the venue, run 10k (up paced, not race effort), and 3 1/2 miles back for 13ish miles. Added a bit to make up for their short 10k loop as I wanted at least 13 today.

Catching ONR 1800 pulling out of the station

While vacationing in Muskoka over the last week, we popped into Bracebridge for a little shopping and replenishing of supplies.  A quick stop into The Right Track to see what obscure model train items they may have in stock before they closed at five, we were greated by the blaring noise of a diesel air horn on the tracks nearby.

It turned out the be the southbound ONR Northlander running about 40 minutes late, lead by 1800, fortunate for me as we had just arrived.  I managed to just get my phone out and grab 4 quick shots as it rolled over the street out of the platform and on it's way.

This section of the line is part of the Newmarket Subdivision, a control box one street over shows mile marker 121.87.

It's a pretty cool location to catch rail traffic as it's so intimate with the surrounding streets and crosses a bridge over the Muskoka River.



As I wasn't expecting to be taking in any rail traffic on the excursion into town, I'd left the Sony cam behind. Too bad as I would have had some of that in-town air horn to present.

Next time...

Smoky ONR 1800 travelling northbound

ONR 1800 and it's APU lead their 3 cars northbound through Bala at Pottery Road, June 10, 2012.  Lesson learned to take more time during setup to make sure I have the levels and angles right.  The tripod and camera were too far sloped, especially on the reverse angle.