Old Time Trains

Auxiliary

The most dreaded order that came over the dispatcher's phone was "#1 auxiliary SAP", meaning to report for duty Soon As Possible rather than the normal two hour call because something serious had taken place out on the road. There was a great concern over the severity of the "affair" as the CPR referred to its derailments and wrecks and whether or not there were serious injuries or worse.

The auxiliary was a special work train sent out to these affairs consisting of a wreck crane and other work cars with spare wheelsets, track etc. Main terminals (Toronto, London, Trenton) had the heaviest lift capacity wreck cranes, 200 or 250 ton. Some such as West Toronto had two auxiliaries, #1 a.k.a. the "Big Hook" and #2 the "Little Hook". The latter was a much smaller (60 ton) and older crane mostly used for planned work while the big hook got the SAP calls.

The auxiliary was kept on steam at all times and carmen were on call. A call also went out to a local grocery store whose owner would get up at any hour to sell a large food order to feed the many men, possibly for days.

Two views of the "little hook" (60 ton lift capacity) at West Toronto shops. c.1950's Jim Parker

414501 250 ton #1 auxiliary steam crane at work clearing up an "affair" at Dixie (Toronto Terminal) 1959.
Some of the freight involved in this derailment was received off the CP Electric Lines at Galt and included
Carling beer and Seagram distillery products both made in Waterloo. William D. (Bill) Thomson

Here is 414501 (long diesel powered) on the auxiliary at Toronto Yard. It is preserved at Exporail
Both photos: William D. (Bill) Thomson

411519 Foreman's car on the No.1 Auxiliary ("Big Hook"). Two views; West Toronto c.1950's Jim Parker

This car, like many pieces of rolling stock especially passenger equipment, had a long and varied life.
Built in 1909 as Sleeper-Buffet-Parlor-Observation car Glenbow. 2/1918 re-named Mount Bruce.
4/1926 exterior steel plated. During this revenue passenger use it would have provided the best First Class
accommodations bringing up the rear of the most important passenger trains. When newer cars were
acquired older cars went into Company Service for use by Officials as Business Cars (never say, "private car")
travelling about their territory or to accommodate different employee groups working away from home.
In this case 11/1949 it became Service car 411519 for use on the auxiliary, a special train including a
"hook" or wreck crane, sent out to "affairs" as the CPR referred to derailments, wrecks etc. Scrapped 1969.

Closeup of sign.

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Auxiliary

The most dreaded order that came over the dispatcher's phone was "#1 auxiliary SAP", meaning to report for duty Soon As Possible rather than the normal two hour call because something serious had taken place out on the road. There was a great concern over the severity of the "affair" as the CPR referred to its derailments and wrecks and whether or not there were serious injuries or worse.

The auxiliary was a special work train sent out to these affairs consisting of a wreck crane and other work cars with spare wheelsets, track etc. Main terminals (Toronto, London, Trenton) had the heaviest lift capacity wreck cranes, 200 or 250 ton. Some such as West Toronto had two auxiliaries, #1 a.k.a. the "Big Hook" and #2 the "Little Hook". The latter was a much smaller (60 ton) and older crane mostly used for planned work while the big hook got the SAP calls.

The auxiliary was kept on steam at all times and carmen were on call. A call also went out to a local grocery store whose owner would get up at any hour to sell a large food order to feed the many men, possibly for days.

Two views of the "little hook" (60 ton lift capacity) at West Toronto shops. c.1950's Jim Parker

414501 250 ton #1 auxiliary steam crane at work clearing up an "affair" at Dixie (Toronto Terminal) 1959.
Some of the freight involved in this derailment was received off the CP Electric Lines at Galt and included
Carling beer and Seagram distillery products both made in Waterloo. William D. (Bill) Thomson

Here is 414501 (long diesel powered) on the auxiliary at Toronto Yard. It is preserved at Exporail
Both photos: William D. (Bill) Thomson

411519 Foreman's car on the No.1 Auxiliary ("Big Hook"). Two views; West Toronto c.1950's Jim Parker

This car, like many pieces of rolling stock especially passenger equipment, had a long and varied life.
Built in 1909 as Sleeper-Buffet-Parlor-Observation car Glenbow. 2/1918 re-named Mount Bruce.
4/1926 exterior steel plated. During this revenue passenger use it would have provided the best First Class
accommodations bringing up the rear of the most important passenger trains. When newer cars were
acquired older cars went into Company Service for use by Officials as Business Cars (never say, "private car")
travelling about their territory or to accommodate different employee groups working away from home.
In this case 11/1949 it became Service car 411519 for use on the auxiliary, a special train including a
"hook" or wreck crane, sent out to "affairs" as the CPR referred to derailments, wrecks etc. Scrapped 1969.

Closeup of sign.