PETER HOOPLE'S COLLECTION

     Peter Hoople first became interested and then thoroughly involved in railroad photography back in the 1980s.
Despite limited mobility he did manage many trips to Oneonta, NY to see the D&H when it was absorbed as part of the CP Rail network. He was a member of the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society out of Cooperstown Jct NY for many years; one of the few Canadian members.
     As well, he traveled extensively in SW Ontario, enjoying the action at such places as London, Woodstock and of course the CP Galt sub. Niagara was his stomping grounds however, living in Wainfleet and Welland during his railfanning years it only made sense to keep a close eye on activity at Welland Yd., Fort Erie and St. Catharines, often hanging out with locals such as yours truly of www.NiagaraRails.com. Health misadventures in later years unfortunately took a toll on Pete, and his railfanning love was curtailed to getting out about once a day to look around. And worse, railroad activity seemed to dry up around the same time frame. Pete died in his sleep on the morning of December 27, 2017, but his legacy lives on in this showcase of some of his favorite works. - A. W. Mooney

     I met Peter back sometime during the summer of 1996 at CP Welland Yard, in Wainfleet. I was there waiting for a trains to photograph. Back then Peter still had his grey Jeep Cherokee Laredo.
That initial meet started off a friendship as railfans for the first of many years to come. For a year or so, I still railfanned on my own and would bump into him there at the yard from time to time.
     We struck up a conversations about trains while we were at the yard. It wasn't much longer that I became his side-kick for the next 20 or so years, railfanning at CN Clifton, CP Clifton Hill and at Montrose. We also used to go to Fort Erie and sit at the Mentholatum building waiting for CN and NS trains, then later CP operations running over CN into the U.S., likewise CN and NS.
The odd time We went to the London GMDD plan and photographed across the 'race track' towards the back side of the plant.
We spent time also sitting along Lambert Road in Wainfleet waiting for trains to arriving at Welland yard.
     The odd time we chased trains to Port Maitland and to Kinnear in Hamilton.
With the cutback of rail traffic I didn't go out much with Peter, as I took on other photography and stuff.
     Five days before Peter passes away I talked to him on the phone one last time, not knowing it was going to be the last. Peter passed away December 27, 2017, in the morning in his sleep.

I was left several photos of Peter's train photography and came across this photo that I thought I would share that Peter took of myself and A. W. Mooney, standing around waiting for a train at Fort Erie. Photogragh was taken sometime between 2008 and 2013 - P. Duncan (www.NiagaraRails.com Webmaster)

     Top right photo: 2010 - 2013. Bottom right photo: 2015.