London Division Passenger Service

R.L.Kennedy

C.W.Routledge

First CPR train to leave London May 30, 1887 headed by woodburning 4-4-0 192.
(ex CVR 4 acq.1884 built Brooks Locomotive Works 1873)
This engine was sold July 1904 to Columbia River Lumber, Golden, BC
the same company that bought the Countess of Dufferin.

Engineer T. Routledge (Grandfather of photographer), Fireman George Dowling,
Conductor John Anderson (handing up orders), and beside him, holding paper,
is Roadmaster D. R. Murphy.
Note: Chum Routledge was Assistant Superintendent of the Bruce Division in 1949.

CVR Public Time Table 1883

Click to enlarge

Poster for Palace sleeping car service between
Chicago and Toronto via St.Thomas commencing in 1895.

Public Time Table 1906

Employee Time Table 1909 and 1959

First 21 Eng 2400 Chicago Express with 12 cars through Campbellville at 8.55 a.m. Sat. May 21, 1955
Note: 1/21 (First Twenty One) most likely originated in Toronto, while 2/21 (Second Twenty One)
originating from Montreal probably would have looked like the following earlier scene since the last
regular steam between Toronto and Windsor on #21 and #22 was engine 2807 Sun. Mar. 7, 1954.

Number 21 Chicago Express 1408-1402 with 12 cars Campbellville at 9.15 a.m. Sunday, May 15,1955.

Above, three photographs: W.H.N.Rossiter.

London Division passenger service between Toronto and Windsor/Detroit provided a vital link in the Montreal - Chicago international service as well as additional service that included one of the fastest trains on the CPR. This latter service was an early morning London to Toronto Daily except Sunday businessmen's train that returned in the early afternoon. It became un-officially known as "The Bullet" and was assigned the famous 4-4-4 Jubilee 3000 F2 class engines that raced at speeds up to 112 1/2 mph! When RDC's came along they were "only" capable of 90 mph yet, their rapid acceleration and deceleration allowed a faster schedule, effective Monday, November 9, 1953. These Dayliner trains were extended to Windsor and Detroit effective November 30th.

The Bullet, #629 ready to leave West Toronto Depot on Thursday April 9, 1953. Wooden S.U.F. working baggage car, lightweight air-conditioned coach, heavyweight coach. J.F.Beveridge, Collection of Dave Shaw.

Article about display train of brand new Dayliners. Spanner December 1953

Flyer announcing new Dayliner service effective November 30,1953. Old Time Trains archives

Card announcing additional Dayliner service effective April 26, 1954 Old Time Trains archives

9051-9050 1/630 (First Six Thirty) Campbellville, Monday, May 24,1954. W.H.N.Rossiter

"The Bullet" Dayliner leaving Woodstock on July 26, 1957 John Kelley

When heavy traffic required more equipment than the available Budd Cars, it go "conventional". Often, the regular RDC's would be added to other RDC runs, or at other times were hauled by a locomotive along with other equipment thus making it a "conventional" train which required a fireman and sometimes an extra trainman.

1954

1954

1956

1962

Proof that "Alco's" don't have to be smokey. MLW-built RS-10's 8570 and 8470 lifting #21 westbound out of Woodstock on April 28, 1957. Robert J. Sandusky

Last run of Number 21 engines 1412 1918 Saturday, April 25, 1964 through Campbellville.
William Carr/R.J.Sandusky Collection.

Note: Trains 21 and 22 became 339 and 340 on the London Division effective April 26, 1964 utilizing RDC equipment from the famous Bullet which was discontinued at that time leaving only two trains daily compared to four earlier. Note: The first day the new trains operated with conventional equipment.
The schedule for the new trains reduced Toronto-Windsor travel by 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Loss of ridership, especially on the Bullet, long used by London businessmen, was due to the opening of a new limited access highway, the 401. Trains 339 and 340 were discontinued effective Sunday, October 25, 1969.

9052

9112

9114

9194

9051-9050-9052 on Number 359, May 15,1958 Walter R. Evans
The westbound Bullet has made an-unscheduled stop at Guelph Junction.

No. 38 engine 9112 stopped at West Toronto Depot (due 2:15 p.m.)
Monday, August 19, 1963 Doug Hately

This meager consist would remain typical until the end of all service in July 1971.
Three years earlier (prior to April 24,1960 time table) this train was powered by
a diesel locomotive and the consist included a buffet parlor with dining car service.
Note: For a brief period the famed E8 units were assigned to #38 and #37 until
Canada Customs ruled their brief time in Detroit did not qualify them to remain duty free.

It all came to an end with the last day of CPR London Division passenger service on July 3,1971. Shown here at London are Windsor to Toronto bound RDC-2's 9110-9115 on train #338, (which still offered checked baggage service). Don Mc.Queen

The last roundtrip began the day before in Toronto, where so many people wanted to take the Last Run, train #337 was delayed 35 minutes while a second RDC was added.

Note: Passenger service between Windsor and Detroit ended October 28, 1967.

On to: Branch Passenger

Back to: Branch Lines - Guelph and Goderich

Back to:Main History