Another Trip Around the Sun (and to Muskoka)
Recently I celebrated another trip around the sun — my 27th if I’m keeping count — and to mark the occasion, I headed north for a cottage weekend with friends and some time trackside along the way.
Executive decisions — while the forecast for the weather wasn’t overly promising, the one for trains was an entirely different matter; and with lots on the lineup for the morning of June 9th, the only question was, where to start? With word that CN’s OCS train was due out of Toronto that morning, the decision came easily. With hiking boots laced and my camera at the ready, I was off on another adventure. Here, CN P62371 is seen coming off of the York Subdivision at Pickering, Ont., with a handsome 6-car train for Montreal. After capturing the OCS train, and grabbing a coffee for the road, I was off to Washago for a passenger train of a different variety!
By the time The Canadian departed Washago, it was getting close to lunchtime and with nothing else going on (or so I thought) I took a stroll over to The Canoe for a bite to eat. I had envisioned a leisurely lunch outside on one of their Muskoka chairs, however, just as I finished ordering, I caught wind that CN 450 was coming down from North Bay — a rare daylight run — so it was back on the road I go!
Typically running over the picturesque Newmarket Subdivision under the cover of darkness, North Bay to Toronto train no. 450 made a rare daylight appearance due to ongoing wildfires in Quebec, which necessitated extra traffic from the ONR being combined with 450 to form a much longer, heavier, and slower-than-normal train. Here, 450 is down to walking speed as it climbs out of Huntsville, Ont., skirting scenic Lake Vernon with a lengthy train for Toronto. Thanks to the slow speed, I was able to capture 450 at a number of locations between Scotia and Severn Bridge (Washago) as seen below.
Catching a brief moment of sunlight on an otherwise overcast day, CN 450 is seen high above the Muskoka River at Bracebridge, Ont., as it presses on towards Toronto with a monster 127-car train. After an enjoyable chase to Severn Bridge, I decided to part ways from the rails and carry on toward Haliburton where cold beer, good friends, and a memorable weekend ahead awaited me.
Sunday morning brought overcast skies and everyone feeling a little groggier than usual but none of that dampened our spirits as we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast over stories of the night before. With the Subie loaded up and the cottage in the rear-view mirror, I rolled out of Haliburton looking back on an amazing weekend. With knowledge that Toronto to North Bay train no. 451 was on its way, I pressed on towards Washago where another chase along the Newmarket Subdivision would soon ensue.
Undeterred by the threat of impending rain, I carried on towards South River, taking in various sights along the scenic Newmarket Subdivision. One of the highlights was undoubtedly the view near Melissa, as 451 crossed over the inky waters of the Big East River in the quintessentially Muskoka landscape.
By the time I got to South River, increasingly dark skies and a grumble in my stomach had reminded me that no chase can go on forever. While passing through Sundridge earlier, a roadside restaurant caught my eye, so I decided to turn around and pay a visit to Double Decker — I’m sure glad I did!
After enjoying a delicious meal in Sundridge, it was time for the long trip back to Hamilton. With some good tunes on the radio, I pressed on towards home, arriving later that night with another 1215 kilometres on the odometer and countless memories from an amazing weekend up north. Here’s to 27!