CN 371 meets VIA 60 at Crysler

On March 2 2010, a CN freight train derailed 26 cars at a switch. CN 309, ended up spilling the cars across both tracks of the Kingston Subdivision. The derailment was north of the town of Morrisburg and just a few hundred feet east of the old station. CN had to scramble to clean up the mess. VIA trains were diverted and freights had to sit waiting out on the mainline or in yards.

On March 3rd and 4th, both tracks were clear of the wreckage and new rails were installed. Trains were allowed once again to pass through the derailment site......but only one train at a time and only on one track or the other. Trains had to get permission from the head foreman before passing through the area. Other trains had to wait at locations 8-10 miles east and west respectively, of the derailment site. At other crossover points.

Witness the scene here. CN 371, an empty autorack train with a Dash 9-44CW and an SD70I, is sitting at the crossover point called Crysler. 371 has already met one eastbound freight train. CN 308. Now it must wait for VIA 60 to pass before it can get permission to head west and pass through the derailment site.

The derailment caused a minor inconveinance to operations but for railfans in eastern Ontario, it gave them an opportunity to see more trains than usual due to the high number of freights waiting in either direction of the derailment.

Mile 84.2 CN Kingston Subdivision

March 4 2010

ADDITIONAL NOTE: @ timeline 2:40, you can hear a vehicle accelerate away fast in the background. A van with a very impatient driver, decided to slalom around the downed crossing gates. I gave the individual a very cold stare in disappointment.

If the circumstances were different, that driver could have been killed by a speeding train from either direction.

Some people just don't get it.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• CN
• CNR
• Canadian
• National
• Railway
• freight
• train
• passenger
• VIA
• Rail
• F40PH-2
• SD70I
• Dash
• 9-44CW
• autorack
• crossing
• signals
• track
• engine
• locomotive
• HEP-2
• LRC
• crossover
• control
• point
• Kingston
• Subdivision
• Crysler
• Ontario

[GEES44DC]

It amazes me that the VIA engineer kept his headlights dimmed 1. After seeing there was someone at the crossing and 2. Seeing he was on film. Some guys just don't care about the operating rules.

[ConrailSD70MAC]

@GEES44DC - I've seen this type of error happen before. The VIA engineer was being considerate toward 371. Every train crew I've witnessed does it like drivers driving vehicles out on the road.

[chrisvazquez7]

5 stars for giving a cold stare in disappointment!! :D

[ConrailSD70MAC]

@chrisvazquez7 - don't you just hate it when you're filming at a crossing and some idiot decides to slalom around the downed gates?

At the same time, almost hits you as you're filming?

Fourth time this has happened to me in a year.

[bcherbs]

when is it proper to shut the train bell off? Is it certain speeds that the bell is used or at crossings, when should the bell be used and why??

[canadianzombie]

I went there two times but i didn't even see a train but i saw a CN Car on the rails

[GEES44DC]

@ConrailSD70MAC I know that, but it's a serious rule violation.

[GEES44DC]

@ConrailSD70MAC I do know many engineers do it, but the fact is, if you hit someone with your headlights dimmed then we have a huge problem. The CROR states that the headlights MUST be on bright and the ditchlights MUST be on when approaching every public crossing.

[ConrailSD70MAC]

I think the horns were rebuilt as well. Creating a different sound.

If one comes out this way, I hope to catch it.

[GenesisSanctuary]

Cool! What kinds of horns do VIA's F40s use?