Driving around yesterday morning in Toronto, I was heading north on Brimley Rd, and sitting on the bridge just north of Sheppard was a pair of CP engines, followed by some sort of hopper -- covered in Looney Tunes! Bugs and everyone was there from what I could see as I went by. I usually keep a camera in my work truck for just occasions, but wouldn't you know it -- I forgot it because I was running late. It also had a caboose as well with somewhat comically written "Canadian Pacific" across the side. Anyone happen to know what on earth this is, and/or have a photo? I searched around for a picture or write-up on it but couldn't find anything.
Google is no help...the only hit it brought up for "Canadian Pacific Looney Tunes" was your post.....:tb-wacky:
It definately wasn't graffiti at all. It looked extremely well done and it covered the side of the car.
Todd, The only jobs out of Agincourt yard that use a van are the "wax job" or "plastic cup factory" job. The latter usually heads out via Sheppard/McCowan, down the main, and back in at Neilsons to service the cup factory. The consist you saw was probably going to the Viva Magnetics plant at Staines. The hoppers have graffiti on them. The van is number 434704 a steel centre cupola van built by Canadian Pacific at their Montreal Angus shops in 1981. It received the custom graffiti paint job while at Guelph Junction. Only one side was painted, and they did a great job - it looks like an experimental "Canadian Pacific" script. The van is usually stored by the hump tower off lead 3 or off of the MOW L2 by the east leg of the wye. I may be visiting the yard late summer, and I can try and take a picture if you interested. Milne (thanks to CPR Chris and B. Ballantyne)
Thanks for the info! Are there any good, legal spots to get close to the yard for a photo? Plus I'm itching to try out this 75-300mm zoom I have sitting here. I live about 5-10 minutes from the yard so its not much of a hike for me. I've searched around the web for websites that have railfanning spots, but haven't found any information.
Ooh this seems like a neat thing to catch! the caboose with the experimental scheme and the hopper with the Looney Tunes.
Saw that caboose again when I was driving. As luck would have it, I still didn't have my camera with me. It was hiding under the Finch St. bridge right off Markham Road. Still need to find somewhere I can take a photo of it. I think next time I'm around that area I'll approach one of the many workers I see in their pickup trucks and ask them if its possible.
Todd, You might want to consider contacting a railfan group in Toronto. CP use to be quite cooperative with railfan groups touring their facilities. I don't know how active these groups are, but you may wish to contact them for further information - Toronto Railway Historical Association http://www.trha.ca/museum.html Canadian Railway Historical Association - Toronto & York Division - http://www.exporail.org/public/en/5_achf/1_divisions.asp# Transport 2000 Ontario - this is a rail advocacy group, but they have had tours of Agincourt - http://transport2000.ca/ Rails in Toronto website - hasn't been updated for a while, but has some useful information including the ham radio railfan channels - http://ca.geocities.com/railsintoronto@rogers.com/othrinfo.html Toronto Transportation Society - more of a bus/subway/streetcar group but they may be able to steer you in the right direction - http://www.torontotransportationsociety.org/ Hope this helps. Milne
Keep a one-time point&shoot camera (either film or digital) in the glove box or under the seat. Keep it in a ziplock baggie to keep any grit off. Any photo is better than none. Jon F
