Canadian Steam: Waterloo Central Railway and Essex Terminal Railway 9

Well today was a good day. Big Steam returned to Ontario for the first time in many years. The Waterloo Central Railway has returned 1923 Montreal Locomotive Works product Essex Terminal Railway 9 to service. I have seen her before, but never been able to ride behind her. As part of the Waterloo Railway Expo modelers event, I rode behind her today.

It was a popular event with two sold out trains. Both operating to the same plan, pushing north from Farmers Market to a field north of Highway 85, de train passengers, conduct two photo run pasts, reload, continue northbound move to South Field Drive. Then returning south with a stop at St Jacobs and the shops for water, continuing south past Farmers Market to almost Randall Drive to clear track circuits, and then reversing to the platform. Weather was overcast but dry until the second train started south when the rain came and we called it a successful day. Also out and about was WCR (Ex CPR) SW1200RS 8140 running to the north of the excursion train as a thunderbird in case No.9 ran into any difficulties. Happy to say, it’s services we’re not needed!

Video from the weekend is below as well

Saturday -

Sunday -

Cheers,

Stephen Gardiner
Toronto, ON