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The GO Train Comes To Guelph In all the years that I have been coming to Guelph to work on 6167 (since 2001), one of the things I have noticed while exploring the area around 6167 are two electrical connections at the end of a siding in front of the Guelph VIA Station. Fast forward to 6167's big move in June 2010, and it seems that one of these connections now lies inside 6167's 'compound', meaning, its time to find out what exactly these connections are for.
Mr. Burnet explained that following a ceremony on Sunday October, 28 1990, GO train service between Guelph and Toronto Union Station commenced on October 29 with one train East and West each day. This train was in turn stored on the siding in front of the Guelph station each day and on weekends and the electrical connections in question were for the layover hookup for the locomotive during overnight and weekend storage. A GO technician would often go out Saturday and/or Sunday to start up the engine and let it run for an hour or two to be sure it was ready for service Monday morning. The Eastbound train stopped at Acton before arriving in Georgetown. Rockwood never had a stop, however, had the service been allowed to continue perhaps a stop would have been established. Mr. Burnet also mentions that "If you poke around Acton you may still see a few of the GO features but I think the GEXR has removed most of it now as well as many references to CN's ownership. Acton had a construction trailer for the sale of tickets. The old wooden steps leading up to the door were still there up to a few years ago - not sure if still there now."
GO Transit Cab Car 202 pulling into Guelph Station for the first time on Sunday October 28, 1990. As you can see, 6167
was 'in attendance' that day and is visible in the background.
GO Transit Cab Car 202 plowing through the Welcome Banner, inaugurating GO Train Service to Guelph.
For various reasons, service along GO's Georgetown Line was scaled back in 1993 with the last run to Guelph taking place on Friday July 2, 1993. After that, trains on the Georgetown line currently only run as far as Georgetown. According to GO Transit's website, there are now plans to Extend GO Train Service along the Georgetown Line yet again, this time running as far as Kitchener-Waterloo with stops in Acton, Guelph, Breslau, and Kitchener. Some sources suggest this expansion may occur as early as 2011.
Special thanks again to Robert Burnet for the information and
photos.
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