Throwback Thursday – Rymal 2 (Early Memories)

by Keith MacCauley  

I have to believe that most model railway modellers focus on a particular era and locale. For George it’s New England and the Central Vermont Railway (among other area railways).

Growing up near the Canadian National (former Hamilton and Northwestern Railway) right of way inspired my early model railway interest. Thus, my passion is confined to Canadian National in the 1980’s. Fortunately, history of the H&NW branchline has not gone undocumented; books include Charles Cooper’s ‘RAILS TO THE LAKES The Story of the Hamilton and Northwestern Railway’ (1980) and Ian Wilson’s ‘STEAM ECHOES OF HAMILTON’ (2008). The Hamilton to Port Dover branchline was also included in David P Morgan’s legendary hardcover ‘CANADIAN STEAM’ (1961). A former lineside silo facility at Rymal is documented online; https://www.rymalstationheritage.com.

Among my earlier memories are those of CN’s ubiquitous GMD London built GP9’s in original form. While not nearly as common as the daily SW1200RS’s, the Dick Dilworth designed units were always a pleasant surprise.