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Throwback Thursday 21 GO Transit 507 512 at Toronto ON C 1979

A cloudy day finds GO GP40TC #507 and F40PH #512 between runs parked near the Spadina coach yards. Scan from an uncredited 35MM Kodak negative from author's collection, circa 1979.

Tonight’s Throwback Thursday takes us back nearly 40 years, to the heart of Toronto passenger operations, Spadina coach yards (or, across the tracks from them as it were). We’re standing on Front Street, looking more/less southwest, and find GO Transit GP40TC #507 and F40PH #512 parked in between the morning and afternoon commuted rushes. Both GMD products, #507 was built in 1967 as the highest-numbered of the eight GP40TC's built specifically for GO's Toronto commuter (hence the "TC") service that began a year later. Noteworthy for early incorporation of diesel HEP systems, the units were constructed on SD40 frames to accommodate a Detroit Diesel engine to supply hotel power to the train. Other unique features include the short pug nose, front GO sign on the handrails (which even lasted well into Amtrak ownership), snow shields and small fuel tank. By this point was on its’ third number, after being built as CN 607 (engines were built prior to commencement of GO operations, and ran on CN for a number of months in a muted black and orange paint scheme before being repainted to GO Transit colours), the engine was then renumbered to GO 607, then to 9807 in 1970, and the onto 507 in 1975. F40PH #512 was a 1978 graduate of GMD, lasting its’ entire ten year career with GO under the same number. Interestingly, both units were sold to Amtrak, with #507 becoming AMTK 199 in 1988, and upon retirement in 1988 (supplanted by the first order of F59PH’s) GO #512 became AMTK 412 in 1990. Rebuilt in 1991, with the addition of dynamic brakes (GO F40’s were the only such units built without dynamic brakes) and an air conditioner, AMTK 412 survived until retirement and subsequent scrapping in March 2000. Interestingly, despite being eleven years older, AMTK 199 survives on the present Amtrak roster, albeit in a modified form. Now GP38H-3 #527, and despite the removal of the middle radiator fan and the engine’s turbocharger, the locomotive still retains much of its' 1967 appearance; it’s even been painted in Amtrak’s latest silver and dark blue paint scheme! The engine is now a terminal switcher assigned to Philadelphia, along the passenger carrier’s Northeast Corridor – a long way from hauling Toronto commuters!

Aside from the engines, there’s plenty to look at in this photo. Aside from the GO equipment, there is plenty to look at for the passenger rail enthusiast, including VIA Blueline equipment, Tempo cars, and even a VIA-painted Turbo train consist (!). A ubiquitous CN S-13 switcher, #8517, looks to be paused in between moves handling the hundreds of passenger cars moved about the terminal each day. Another thing I like about the photo is the great number of billboards in the background – Molson, Toyota, Dodge/Plymouth, Tip Top Tailors, MTV Cable 4 and more; I wonder what happened to them all? They seemed to be all over the place back then, but have long since disappeared from the area; I always thought they provided a neat little time capsule in photos to see what was being advertised at the time (when was the last time you say a Plymouth or a Marlboro being advertised?). A bit more subtle, note the cranes behind the GO equipment and the wood fencing at left – it would appear that construction of the “fly-under” is well under way (note safety fencing at left). Construction of the fly-under allowed GO and VIA trains to navigate from one side of Union Station's numerous tracks to the other without having to pass through a myriad of difficult-to-maintain crossovers (such as double-slip switches). As VIA’s Turbos were retired in 1982, this image is likely from the very late 1970’s or early 1980’s (construction of the fly-under did coincide with VIA Turbo operation).

A Google Maps satellite shot of the same area as the subject photo. Note that high-price high-rises now dominate the area where the coach yards now stood. The fly-under can be seen at middle-right. Out of view at right is the Skydome, which stands roughly where the Spadina roundhouse was once located. 

'Til next time,

Cheers,

Peter.

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