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Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway Focus

The Official Newsletter of The TH&B Railway Historical Society

Listed here are the Tables of Contents from Volume 6 of TH&B Focus, the official newsletter of the TH&B Railway historical society. Focus is published quarterly.

Listed for each issue are the articles and columns appearing in the issue. For articles, the author of the article is listed.

Also listed are the photos and graphics appearing in the issue. For the most part, the photos and graphics are listed for each article. Photos and graphics not associated with an article are listed as Miscellaneous Images for the issue.

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Volume 6 Number 1

Volume 6 Number 1: November 2002

On the cover:

Hamilton Spectator photographer Bob Chambers captured TH&B Track Maintenance Foreman Sam Olesiuk returning to icicle covered Sectionman's Van #71 at Aberdeen Yard after a heavy snowstorm.
Article Author Photos and Graphics
Headend Traffic on the TH&B: Long Before FedEX Kevin Leddy TH&B 4-6-2 #15 with CPR Train #741 at Bayview Junction; Canadian Pacific Express World Service logo; CPR 70' Combination Baggage and Express Car #4338 at Hunter Street Station; CPR 4-4-2 #2982 with train at Waterdown; express cars at Hunter Street Station; CP #3892 60' wooden express car; Railway Express Agency office at John and Beckley Streets in Hamilton; loading doors of REA office; TH&B 4-6-4 #502 with Train #374 at Stoney Creek; view of derelict express facility; Hunter Street Station passenger platforms.
Back on Home Rails and TH&B Rolling Stock Revival   TH&B gondola 2674 near National Steel Car, August 2002; recently relettered TH&B gondola 4201 at Kinnear Yard, October 2002.
Sidebar: Notes on TH&B #379 Kevin Leddy TH&B 4-6-4 #501 with Train #379 at Hunter Street Station; CPR FP-7A #1420 at Hunter Street Station; TH&B Link Baggage Car #53.
Anatomy of a Derailment Lance Brown Illustration of Aberdeen Yard at 4:30 am, August 1 1959, showing position of cars and train before derailment; illustration of Aberdeen Yard at 4:45 am, August 1 1959, showing position of trains and cars after derailment; wrecking crane X-766 in action dealing with the Aberdeen Yard derailment, showing gondolas and tank car on the ground; closer view view of derailed gondolas and tank car; illustration of Kinnear Yard showing location of trains and cars before derailment; illustration of Kinnear Yard showing location of trains and cars after car straddles tracks; photo of gondola with one truck on each parallel track, also shows back end of crane; photos of crane X-766 in action, lifint gondola.
Still In Use: The TH&B Equipment of Westfield Pioneer Village Godfrey Hall Photo of film shoot with side of van #58 in background; photo of film shoot with actor standing on back of van #58 beside station.
The TH&B's Last Train Order Bryant Barbour Copy of train order dated April 7, 1985; copy of Bulletin Order #400 dated April 1, 1985; copy of Waterford Subdivision station column from TH&B Employee Timetable #103, effective October 28, 1984; copy of Waterford Subdivision station column from Supplement Number One to Timetable #103, effective October 28, 1984; Dunnville Subdivision station column from Timetable #103, effective October 28, 1984; Dunnville Subdivision station column from Supplement Number One to Timetable #103, effective October 28, 1984; CP Rail Manual Block System Clearance form.
From the Archvies: Company Passes and Cheque   Copy of pass issues to Mr. G. M. Beattie, Mechanical Inspector, Mechanical Division, Association of American Railroads, for 1957-1958; pass issued to Mr. M. J. Bickel, Assistant to general Manager, Lake Region, Norfolk and Western Railway, for 1965-1966; copy of cheque to W.E. Hackett for $22.21, dated June 6 1913.
O.C.S. Mailbag: Letters to the Editor   Rear view of Tender #15 with coaling tower and cinder handling plant in background; view of coaling tower and cinder handling plant; side view of TH&B #502 on turntable; former TH&B Steam Generator car as it appears today with NYC paint at Steamtown (Scranton), Pennsylvania; side view of TH&B 4-6-0 #10.
The Wheel Report: TH&B Historical Society Executive Report   Three-quarter view of TH&B Consolidation #103 with van.
From the Archives: A holiday greeting from December 1970.   Holiday greetings memo dated December 17, 1970, signed Percy W. Harrison (?), Vice President and General Manager.
Volume 6 Number 2

Volume 6 Number 2: February 2003

On the cover:

TH&B GP-9 #401, GP-7 #73 and SW-9 #57 idle beside the former coaling tower at the Chatham Street Roudnhouse in February 1972. Special Collections Department - Hamilton Public Library Photo.
Article Author Photos and Graphics
The Railroads of Hamilton Max Wickens GP-7 #73 and GP-9 #401 at Chatham Street Roundhouse fueling rack; Fireman Jim Coleman at the throttle of SW-9 #58; people and vehiciles crossing various tracks at locations near Fisher Yard at Birmingham Street, Beach Branch Junction at Gage Avenue, Kinnear Yard Wye at Cumberland Avenue; Stelco yard engine with scrap cars near Number 5 Scales at Hilton Works; "half can" container being loaded by container handling vehicle at CNR Stuart Street Container Yard; "North Lead" of CNR's Hamilton Yard; Aberdeen Section Gang sweeping switches clear of snow near Chatham Street Roundhouse with former coaling tower in background; pop-up camper trailer in warehouse at CNR's Hamilton Carload Centre; TH&B, CN, Stelco and CP Rail logos.
From The Archives: Plow Extra 73 West   Snow Plow #X-768 cutting snow on January 25 1976 with GP-7 #73 and van #82; snow train at Highway 99 grade crossing west of Dundas.
From The Archives: Downtown Hamilton- 1913   1913 view down Hunter Street towards "Gingerbread Castle" Station.
The Evolution of an Engine Reprint from Flashes, Stelco employee magazine TH&B 4-6-4 #502 entering Hamilton Works for scrapping; workers stacking galvanized sheet metal; workers using oxygen cutting torches while scrapping locomotive; photo of scrap pile; parts of #502 on scrap cars being weighed; photo of molten metal pouring from ladle; photo of steel stamping equipment.
N.Y.C. Plans New Niagara River Crossing Reprint from Railway Age magazine Map showing existing and proposed train routes in the Niagara Area of New York State; Canadian Pacific and New York Central System logos.
The Wheel Report: TH&B Historical Society Executive Report    
Headend Traffic on the TH&B: Part 3 - Bringing Fish to Market Kevin Leddy CPR FP-7As #1421 and #1408 at Bayview Junction with CPR passenger train #721.
At The Meeting: The Welland Report   Photo of attendees at Welland meeting; Bill Sharpe addressing the membership.
The Stores Dept.: TH&B Product News   Prototype photos of TH&B cylindrical hopper #1506 and Toronto Hamilton and Buffalo Line baggage car; image of TH&B Line decals.
From The Archives: Boosters Put The Punch in New Power Reprint of Franklin Railway Supply Company advertisment Copy of magazine advertisement for steam locomotive boosters showing photo of TH&B #201 and steam booster power truck.
Volume 6 Number 3

Volume 6 Number 3: May 2003

On the cover:

Vera Wood, one of Canada's few station mistresses, is pictured preparing to load the day's outbound express shipments from Jerseyville onto TH&B Gas Electric #301 on May 12, 1951.
Article Author Photos and Graphics
Headend Traffic on the TH&B: Part 4 - Local Express Service Kevin Leddy Gas-Electric #301 at Hunter Street Station; Vera Wood overseeing unloading of freight from Gas-Electric #301 at Jerseyville in September 1951; Trailer Car #40 in early 1930s;#X-704, formerly Trailer Car #40, in MOW service in Brantford in 1943; TH&B boxcar 4265 in Aberdeen yard, ca. 1949; Scotland Station on February 27, 1954; B.C. Phillips bus in TH&B livery; St. Ann's station ca. 1947; TH&B boxcar #4576; TH&B boxcar #4795 in "Ti-Cat" scheme in July 1960; Railway Express Agency logo.
TH&B No Trespassing Signs   April 1, 2003, drawing of TH&B Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted sign; photo of Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted sign located at Watchman's Stairwell at the sluiceway at Vinemount; photo of sign from west end of South Yard at Aberdeen Yard.
TH&B Restricted Clearance Signs   April 1, 2003, drawing of Restricted Clearance sign; photo of sign at Frid Street industrial spur, Chatham Street Engine Terminal, Hamilton; photo of sign at American Can Plant, Victoria Avenue, Hamilton Beltline; copy of sign and instructions from Employees' Timetable.
The Wheel Report: TH&B Historical Society Executive Report   Bryant Barbour, TH&B Railway Historical Society Marketing manager, at controls of Puddicombe Farms locomotive.
From The Archives: The TH&B's Dunnville Station   Aerial view of Dunnville showing business section and municipal parking lot, not dated; photo of Dunnville Station.
At The Meeting: Dundurn Castle & Sir Allan MacNab   Photo of attendees at Winter 2003 General Meeting; Godfrey Hall presenting at meeting; Rod Wilson presenting slides at meeting.
The Stores Dept.: TH&B Product News   Photo of N-scale Micro-Trains TH&B gondola model; scans of DVG Scale Models billboard art, including an ad for Cockshutt farm equipment; photo of TH&B van #80.
Recent Sightings: Gondola Gatherings   TH&B gondola #2676 at Fisher Yard on March 24 2003; TH&B gondola #2690 at Woodstock, Ontario, February 14 2003; TH&B gondola #4203 at Anerdeen Yard, Hamilton, January 25 2003.
Photo Section: Yesterday's & Today's TH&B   TH&B NW-2 #54 with train at Kinnear Yard, ca 1982; StL&H train at Main and Gage in East Hamilton, April 7 2003.
The TH&B's Dunnville Station   "Right half" of TH&B Dunnville Freight Office ca 1964; Dunnville Freight Office ca 1987 with both halves of building in place; Dunnville Freight Office as Silverthorne Car Dealer, ca 1998.
From The Archives: Dawning of a New Era   Copy of March 25 1964 Bulletin Order announcing new location of Dunnville Freight Office and extension of Broad Street Team Track.
Volume 6 Number 4

Volume 6 Number 4: August 2003

On the cover:

The summer of 2003 marks the 50th anniversary of the acquisition of TH&B GP-7's #75-77. A recently delivered #75 idles on Track #5 of Hamilton's Chatham Street Roundhouse in July 1953. Bill Mitchell photograph.
Article Author Photos and Graphics
Bells and Whistles - Part 2. TH&B NW-2 Diesel Engine Details John Spring NW-2 #54 at Chatham St. roundhouse; hood detail of early NW locomotive; cab window detail of early NW locomotive; radiator fan and covers of #51; NW-2 #51 in 1948 without TH&B herald on cab; NW-2 #51 in 1951 with herald and painted handrails; three photos showing front stair paint details; two photos of bell hangers circa 1948 and 1978; detail of warning messages on pilot; photo of air whistle on NW-2 #54; detail of Pyle headlights on #51; detail of SW-9-style headlight on #53; detail of marker lights on #52; NW-2 #52 at Aberdeen Yard on January 10, 1948; NW-2's #51 and #54 at Chatham Street roundhouse in June 1964; NW-2 #54 at Brantford on Feburary 6, 1948; NW-2 #51 and SW-9 #57 at Chatham Street roundhouse; #52 shown disassembled for rebuilding at Chatham Street roundhouse in 1978; cab end of #51 showing M.U. receptacles; SW-9's #56, #58, #55 and NW-2's #53, #54, #52 at Atlas Steel in Welland, awaiting scrapping in 1988; NW-2 #51 at Michigan Central Car Shops in St. Thomas, August 1998.
About Your Author: Kevin Leddy John Spring Kevin Leddy in the cab of Ontario Rail Association's Rushton-Hornby locomotive at International Harvester's Hamilton Plant in 1977.
Engineering Department: Highway 20 Bridge, Smithville, Ontario   Engineering drawing of elevation and cross-section of Highway 20 Bridge at Smithville; June 2002 photo of Smithville bridge from highway; June 2002 photo of abandoned right-of-way over bridge.
Along the Line: TH&B Photos Bryant Barbour, Sean Bolli, Lance Brown Gondola THB 2674 in CP action red paint; gondola THB 2691 in CP action red paint; July 2 2003 photo fo demolition of Highway 20 Bridge in Smithville; June 10 2003 photo of CPR Empress #2816 crossing TH&B Aberdeen Avenue overpass.
Stores Department: TH&B Product News Lance Brown Intermountain Railway Company N-scale TH&B cylindrical hopper; Westerfield Original TH&B Fowler Boxcar; Westerfield Modernized TH&B Fowler Boxcar; Westerfield Modified TH&B Double-Sheathed USRA Wooden Boxcar (tuscan); Westerfield Modified TH&B Double-Sheathed USRA Wooden Boxcar (yellow); prototype photo of TH&B cylindrical hopper 1506 in March, 1967; TH&B 1951 Chrysler Inspection Car #1 "Sputnik" at Chatham Street Roundhouse with TH&B #75 in April, 1980; 1928 National Steel Car Company builder's photo of TH&B Fowler boxcar 3324; 1949 photo of TH&B Fowler boxcar 4259 at Waterford; 1956 National Steel Car Company builder's photo of 70-ton covered "slab sided" hopper.
Events: The Maple Leaf 2003 NMRA Convention Report Bill Sharpe, Richard Dilley Items from the John Spring Collection displayed at the NMRA convention, including rebuilt handcar, whistle sign, Grassies name board, "TH&B Ry. Property Trespassers will be prosecuted" sign; photo of TH&B Historical Society table at NMRA convention.
The Wheel Report: TH&B Historical Society Executive Report   Photo of Richard Dilley setting up the TH&B Historical Society table at NMRA convention.
Toronto Hamilton and Buffalo Line: The Steel Line Coaches of the TH&B Kevin Leddy 1924 builder's photo of Toronto Hamilton and Buffalo Line car #80; detail of ownership lettering on Line Coach #74, October 1968; Coach #77 at Toronto, date unknown; Coach #87 at Toronto, date unknown; Toronto Hamilton and Buffalo Line car #81 at Aberdeen Car Shops, circa 1940; Coach #72 numbered as X-762, boarded up and in storage; Coach #86 lettered for NdeM at Aberdeen Car Shop in September 1960.
From the Archives: 5 Star Performance at 1/3 the Cost   Reproduction of 1951 General Motors Diesel Limited advertisement featuring TH&B GM locomotives.
Last Modified: September 25, 2006