Whitby area

Hi-

This is short notice but I didn't realize that time flew by so quickly that this weekend is coming up!!!

I would like to do some railfanning around Whitby. and i was looking at google map. few spots seems to be interesting to go...
Can anyone tell me if CN and CP are sharing the line or not. How many trains during daylight? what's the typical daily of "schedule" trains? (of course I know that they dont stick to the schedule) Do they have ATCS? if so, is there server for ATCS?

Trestle bridge...
http://tinyurl.com/ycddqb4

Any possible to access to take pictures of trestle from west side or down on creek bed? or it's off limit?

RR over another RR...
http://tinyurl.com/yat47m7

bridge over another RR at grade crossing and trestle over golf course. and Golf cart's grade crossing(??)
I would like to take pic of trains going by golfers... and golfers stopping at grade crossing in their golf carts.. but it's October... I guess that I have to come back for that..
http://tinyurl.com/yb5jdo7

someone already mentioned the name of yard to me - CP Agincourt Yard, which is south of previous link. any worth visit to there??? where's good spot to go??

railside park... any good? can I drive around to find a good spot? or railside park is only one option? from the google map in arieal shot, it seems that there's trees and fence which might be blocking the view? It seems like I can drive onto the park, based on tirewear in the lawn?
http://tinyurl.com/yc8fsks

Few of these above might be too far to venture... I am still checking out the east side of Whitby... I would appericate any suggestions.. Keep in mind that I am not commuter train fan!! I would like to focus on CP and CN.

Can anyone drive up to the top of hill (landfill i think??)?? this probably would give me view of CN and CP tracks I
http://tinyurl.com/yecwmjc

If anyone is interesting to meet me and go railfanning, just PM me.

thanks

ken

Despite this area being in my backyard, so to speak, I haven't done much railfanning at the spots you located on Google maps. Nevertheless, here's what I can tell you.

• Can anyone tell me if CN and CP are sharing the line or not. How many trains during daylight? what's the typical daily of "schedule" trains? (of course I know that they dont stick to the schedule) Do they have ATCS? if so, is there server for ATCS?

CN and CP each have their own rights of way and do not share trackage here except for the GM Oshawa plant. Nowadays, I'd estimate the frequency of trains during the shortened daylight period to be about 10-15 on CN and 6-8 on CP. I don't believe ATCS is in use anywhere in the area.

• Trestle bridge...
  http://tinyurl.com/ycddqb4
  
  Any possible to access to take pictures of trestle from west side or down on creek bed? or it's off limit?

The area on the west side of the trestle, east end of CP Cherrywood siding, is accessible and mostly treed. The embankment down to the valley isn't too steep and you should be able to find a path or two leading down below.

• RR over another RR...
  http://tinyurl.com/yat47m7

This location is on private property, although that hasn't stopped some railfans from walking through the corn field to get there for a photo or two.

• bridge over another RR at grade crossing and trestle over golf course. and Golf cart's grade crossing(??)
  I would like to take pic of trains going by golfers... and golfers stopping at grade crossing in their golf carts.. but it's October... I guess that I have to come back for that..
  http://tinyurl.com/yb5jdo7

You may be surprised how many golfers you'd find out during October and November, especially on a sunny day. I've never been on this particular course so I can't tell you anything about it. I expect any cart paths would go under the tracks rather than cross at grade but can't be sure.

• someone already mentioned the name of yard to me - CP Agincourt Yard, which is south of previous link. any worth visit to there??? where's good spot to go??

Someone did post about visiting the yard but I have no idea how this was done. I don't think it would be a good idea to just go in there uninvited.

• railside park... any good? can I drive around to find a good spot? or railside park is only one option? from the google map in arieal shot, it seems that there's trees and fence which might be blocking the view? It seems like I can drive onto the park, based on tirewear in the lawn?
  http://tinyurl.com/yc8fsks

I never knew that park was there, in the southeast quadrant at the CN Doncaster diamond, since I've always watched from the north side only.

• Can anyone drive up to the top of hill (landfill i think??)?? this probably would give me view of CN and CP tracks I
  http://tinyurl.com/yecwmjc

I believe this is a restricted area, owned by Ontario Power, and is surrounded by high fences. There are some sports fields on the west side you could go to and the Waterfront bike trail is accessible. I don't think the view from there would be that good anyway since it's not that high the rail lines would likely be obscured by the hillside.

Most of the time I go about 20-30 minutes further east, near Newcastle and Newtonville, where the CN and CP lines run almost side by side and there are plenty of spots to get a good vantage point. http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s ... 34547&z=15

I hope that helps.

Ken V wrote:CN and CP each have their own rights of way and do not share trackage here except for the GM Oshawa plant. Nowadays, I'd estimate the frequency of trains during the shortened daylight period to be about 10-15 on CN and 6-8 on CP. I don't believe ATCS is in use anywhere in the area.

too bad that they dont get together and do bi-directional like others..

This location is on private property, although that hasn't stopped some railfans from walking through the corn field to get there for a photo or two.

I take it that taking picture from bridge on north side is not great?

]You may be surprised how many golfers you'd find out during October and November, especially on a sunny day. I've never been on this particular course so I can't tell you anything about it. I expect any cart paths would go under the tracks rather than cross at grade but can't be sure.

there was a photo showing grade crossing gates for golf carts somewhere in US. it was in one of mag issues about 2 yrs ago. the way we are having wet and cold weather.. it doesnt look good for this weekend, unless we get Indian summer overnight. I think that I would stick to sitting in truck instead of standing out in open for hours, waiting for train that might never show up..

Someone did post about visiting the yard but I have no idea how this was done. I don't think it would be a good idea to just go in there uninvited.

i never went into yard without any permission. I meant from public road...

I believe this is a restricted area, owned by Ontario Power, and is surrounded by high fences. There are some sports fields on the west side you could go to and the Waterfront bike trail is accessible. I don't think the view from there would be that good anyway since it's not that high the rail lines would likely be obscured by the hillside.

when i looked at aerial shot, it appears to have parking lot on top of the hill and also it appears to be 2 soccer fields on the top.. however I wasnt 100% sure of that... i have known few landfill become park for soccer field.

Most of the time I go about 20-30 minutes further east, near Newcastle and Newtonville, where the CN and CP lines run almost side by side and there are plenty of spots to get a good vantage point. I hope that helps.

send me link of certain spots on google that u were speaking of. being cold and wet, i would stick closer to my truck.. I am hoping for nice beautiful comfortable weather like last year when I was in Burlington on same weekend.

Since its thanksgiving weekend, how would traffic be like?

thanks for answers.

It's hard to guess what the weather will be like this weekend since the forecast keeps changing . Thanksgiving in Canada isn't the big deal the November version in the US is, so I don't think traffic will be too bad. Most cottages have been closed for the season already and many folks will just be staying at home although there will be the usual number of weekend shoppers out there.

I added a Google map link to the end of my earlier post above but it may have been after you read it the first time. As far as the other areas asked about go, if you will be staying inside (the truck) for the most part it may not be a bad idea just to do a drive around and check things out: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s ... 34647&z=11