Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday’s to all our readers!

Revised 12/02/08

www.canadianrailwayobservations.com

CANADIAN NATIONAL

CN Locomotives retired since last issue: (Previous retirement October 10th)

CN SD50F’s 5403, 5409, 5410, 5412, 5414, 5419, 5425, 5427, 5428, 5430, 5431, 5433, 5435, 5436, 5449, 5452, 5457 and 5459 on October 27th CN SD50F’s 5400 and 5444 on October 30th (These two are the last of the series).

With the retirement in late October of the last 20 SD50F’s listed above, the locomotive is now off the CN roster. The SD50F was a 3600HP unit built in 1985 and 1987 by GMDD- London and sported a full cowl car body and looked very beefy with its “Draper taper” and 4-piece windshield. Some of the 5400’s have had expensive repairs done such as truck, main generator, and engine change outs in the last couple of years, however the entire class was retired.

As a homage tribute to this model, Mark Forseille provided CRO these fantastic roster shots showcasing the “full bodied” SD50F!

CN 5432 Coquitlam, BC June 9, 2002 (Sporting CNNA Paint) CN 5407 Burnaby, BC Feb 1988 CN 5421 Matsqui, BC Mar 6, 1998 CN 5428 Boston Bar, BC June 1995 CN 5443 Boston Bar, BC Apr 1995 CN 5415 Port Coquitlam, BC Jun 2, 2005 CN 5419 Kamloops, BC Apr 1993 CN 5413 N Vancouver, BC June 24, 2000 CN 5456 Coquitlam, BC Oct 14, 2002 CN 5455 Coquitlam, BC Sept 6, 2002 (In the Noodle livery)

As Editor of CRO, it is always disheartening when I must report the final retirement of any locomotive series, especially when I am particularly fond of the model. As an MLW-fan, I can attest the 1990’s were especially brutal! However due to a variety of circumstances, several SD50F’s were seen active following their retirement date. On one of these occasions, Glen Mounk caught a pair of SD50F’s (5427 and 5435) on Train 438 on November 1st. The two units above, along with CN 5433, 5414, and 5436 and a few others other’s were forwarded operating to the Woodcrest shop where they were checked and then placed in storage along with the other retired and stored SD50F locomotives. In Late October, Paul Cordingley caught CN SD50F 5444 running on the BNSF at Fort Madison, Iowa finishing up repayment of Horse Power Hours. http://hostovsky.com/~WDM/IOWA2008/20081023-BNSF7781Eb-Z-LACNYC1-23A-Fort_Madison-IA.jpg http://hostovsky.com/~WDM/IOWA2008/20081023-BNSF7781E-Z-LACNYC1-23A-Fort_Madison-IA.jpg http://hostovsky.com/~WDM/IOWA2008/20081023-CN5444-Fort_Madison-IA.jpg

On November 1st, retired CN SD50F’s 5409, 5425, and 5433 were transferred from IC- Homewood to UP-Proviso Yard in Chicago, and used to repay HP hours owed to UNION PACIFIC. As Bill Miller correctly pointed out this is nothing new, as a few years back WISCONSIN CENTRAL SD45r 7525 was sent to work on UP for several weeks after it had been retired by CN. Then on November 5th, three more CN 5400`s interchanged to UP. CN 5412, 5414, and 5428 were positioned on UP train ZYCMQ which is the hottest train on the former C&EI/MP heading south, out of Chicago! By mid- November, several SD50F’s had been sent to UP to repay HPH: CN 5409, 5412, 5414, 5419, 5425, 5427, 5428, 5433, 5435, 5444, and 5449, and were seen on the UP. Unfortunately, on November 8th CN 5409 suffered a failure on UP, and was promptly returned to Woodcrest. Ironically, CN 5414 arrived back in Toronto Mac Yard mid-November repaying HPH to UP.

Glen Mounk caught CN Train 438 heading south with five different locomotive models including an SD50F and A Genset! The consist was: CN 2556, CN 5649, IC 6100, CN 5419, NREX 2007 passing through Fort Frances Yard, Ontario, a few minutes away from the US border, with the SD50F enroute to Woodcrest Yard. Also returning to the US, NREX 2007 which had been testing at the CANFOR facility at Prince Rupert, BC. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/438.htm

The last photos of CN SD50F 5446 and 5456 taken on November 18th at Metro East Industries in East Saint Louis, Ill. http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1396201

From October 22nd to November 12th, CN held an auction sale for the following 50 locomotives. It is believed that these units are all in Woodcrest Yard except for SW1200RS CSO3, which is the car shop switcher in Winnipeg, MB. The CN units for sale were as follows: CN SW1200RS CSO3 (formerly CN 1387) http://www.cn.ca/en/9964.htm (Photo of CS03) DMIR SD38AC’s 200, 201, 205 and 207 DMIR SD38’s 214 and 223 DMIR SD18u’s 303 and 316* (See below) DMIR SD40T-2’s 410, 411, and 417 (all ex-SP) BCOL RS3 Slug 404, 407, and 410. BCOL RS18CAT’s 604, 617, 629, and 630. SAR B36-7 3604 ANY GP9RM 4005 GTW GP9R 4635 CN SD40-2 5380 (Ex-UP) CN SD50F’s 5401, 5402, 5404, 5405, 5406, 5407, 5408, 5411, 5416, 5417, 5418. CN SD50F’s 5423, 5424, 5426, 5429, 5434, 5437, 5438, 5439, 5440, 5443, 5445, CN SD50F’s 5450, 5451, 5454, 5455, and 5458. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=258543 SD50F 5455 stored at Woodcrest. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1137331 Early 2008 Dead Line

UPDATE #1: Although listed above as for sale, DMIR SD18u 316 is to be donated to the MISSABE RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY in Duluth, Minnesota. This unit was built at GM-Lagrange in 1960, and released as DMIR 186. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=161485&nseq=11

UPDATE #2: On November 23rd CRO learned that CN had sold five SD50F’s to the DAKOTA MINNESOTA & WESTERN. They are 5402, 5404, 5416, 5438, plus one more unknown number.

On November 20th CN sold SD40-2W 5292, which had been stored in Edmonton, AB, to RIMX 5292 and has now moved to Prince George, BC for scrapping.

Tim Stevens and Bruce Mercer reported the CN Walker Yard to Toronto manifest, M30451 on November 18th departed Edmonton, Alberta with CN 8838 and BCOL 4620 for power, and hauling PRLX SW1200RS’s 1339 and 1371 dead in tow and directly behind the power. Both are relettered but still in CN paint, and are heading for PROGRESS RAIL in Waycross, GA.

Here is the first photo we have seen of the new EMCC-built CN SD70M-2 series (8850-8874). The locomotive pictured and numbered 896 - 4, is expected to become CN 8853: (Froth) http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u335/Railfancody_/October262008024.jpg

In mid-October, CN’s Woodcrest Shop released the second ILLINOIS CENTRAL SD70 repainted into the current CN livery. On November 1st, IC 1012 was spotted as the trailing power on a CN freight in Pontiac, Michigan. Earlier this year, IC SD70 1039 was big news to CRO readers, as the first CN painted SD70 ventured for the first time into western Canada. http://www.flickr.com/photos/high_iron/3001055203/

In late November the following 15 (ALSTHOM-Built) GCFX and WC SD40-3’s were moved from IC Woodcrest, to the BSC yard in Chicago for long term storage; GCFX 6051, 6057, 6067, 6072, 6076, and WC 6904, 6905, 6908, 6914, 6918, 6925, 6933, 6943, and 6946.

On November 1st, 2008, CN closed a deal with the QUEBEC RAILWAY Corp. to acquire three of their short lines, and one freight-rail ferry. While the proposed Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Co. acquisition remains under federal and public scrutiny in the United States, Canadian National Railway has completed this acquisition in Canada. CN will acquire Quebec Railway Corp.’s (QRC) three principal railroad subsidiaries and the company’s rail- freight ferry operation for $41.5 million. The railroad subsidiaries are: the 221-mile Chemin de fer de la Matapédia et du Golfe (CFMG), which interchanges with CN in Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec; the 196-mile New Brunswick East Coast Railway (NBEC), which interchanges with CN in Moncton Yard; and Ottawa Central Railway( OCRY), which interchanges with CN in Coteau, Quebec. CN also acquired Compagnie de gestion de Matane Inc., a shuttle boat-rail freight service on the St. Lawrence River between Matane and Baie-Comeau, Quebec. The rail ferry can handle up to 25 freight cars and connects with CFMG in Matane. Under the transaction, CN has purchased 540 track miles it formerly owned in eastern Ontario, eastern Quebec and northern New Brunswick. CN sold the lines to QRC in the late 1990s and has held a minority equity interest in the ferry operation since its 1975 start-up. "The operations we're buying are important to CN because QRC is our second-largest short-line partner, serving important customers at origin and directly feeding our mainline network,” said CN President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison in a prepared statement. “With CN's industry-leading operating model and track record of seamlessly integrating acquisitions, we expect to realize meaningful operating efficiencies from the addition of these properties to our network." CN plans to invest capital in the lines during the next three years to upgrade infrastructure. The Class I also will replace the railroads’ existing locomotive fleet with more modern motive power. The transaction does not include QRC's other short line’s the Sydney Coal Railway in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and Chemin de Fer de Charlevoix which operates out of Quebec City. (See “Shortlines” for more QRC news).

The QUEBEC RAILWAY CORP operate a small but interesting fleet of ex-CP MLW RS18u’s, C424’s and ex-CN SD40u’s, all of which are likely not to be added to the current CN roster. ! OCRR RS18u 1815 which is currently SUS in Ottawa was to receive a new Main Generator and will likely be the first QRC locomotive to fall. Another QRC unit, CFMG SD40 6909 is currently under repair at the SYDNEY COAL RAILWAY (SCR). I n mid-November, CN operated a test train between Coteau (QC) and Ottawa (ON), on the OCRR’s Alexandria Subdivision. A few days later it tested at Pembroke and then back to Ottawa. The CN power used was GP40-2LW 9455 which is in the newest paint scheme. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=635354 GP40-2LW 9455 http://www.theboykos.com/nbec/ New Brunswick East Coast photos http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoList.aspx?id=NBEC NBEC Roster http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoList.aspx?id=CFMG CFMG Roster http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoList.aspx?id=OCRR OCRR Roster

UPDATE: In late-November, CN implemented their own power on the NBEC, and CFMG on trains 402 and 403 between Moncton, NB and Riviere-du-loup, QC. CN also has assigned a CN SD40-2W to replace NBEC C424 4214 on the wayfreight between Mont Joli and Matane and for loading freight cars onto the ferry at Matane. It should be noted, that NBEC C424 4214 maybe the last operating C424 in Canada!

In another display of CN's focus on long-term growth and profitability, Southwark yard, located on the South Shore of Montreal, is now history. (Southwark Yard photo Marc Caya). http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=242152&nseq=0

This is CN's second attempt at closing the yard, last attempt was in 2001, and the havoc created ensured that the yard was quietly reopened a week later. This time though, CN is making sure that it's impossible to roll things back:, it plans to completely remove the tracks, except for the North and South passing tracks (CTC-equipped) Everything could be gone by the winter. For those not familiar with the operations there, this was a yard used to classify local traffic for the nearby South Shore lines. Trains 525 (serving La Prairie, Candiac and Delson on the Massena spur), 526 (serving Boucherville and Longueuil on the Sorel sub), 527 (serving La Prairie, Candiac and Delson - cancelled and merged with 525 last Spring), 528 (serving St-Jean and the MMA interchange on the Rouses Point sub) and 548 (serving St-Antoine yard on the Sorel sub, returning as 549) were based at Southwark. Trains 320/321 linked Southwark with Toronto's Macmillan yard, and transfer 500 linked it with Montreal's Taschereau yard. A night yard job ensured that most if not all trains were ready to leave as soon as the crew came in.

The following changes will be implemented. Basically everything will be handled from Taschereau Yard, even though this yard is chronically-congested and where even the high priority trains can lose hours. The Southwark "yard job" has (of course) been cancelled The Pointe St-Charles "yard job" will now cross the Victoria Bridge to serve one remaining customer at Bruno Jct (this used to be done by 525 or 528, as required). Transfer 500 (Taschereau - Pointe St-Charles - Southwark and return) has been merged with transfer 592 (Rivière des Prairies - Taschereau and return); the job leaves from Pointe St-Charles, works at Taschereau, heads to Rivière des Prairies, works again in Taschereau and returns to Pointe St-Charles. This is a top priority job, even more than train 120. Train 525, which had already absorbed train 527's work last spring, is the only job still based at Southwark for now. CN plans to move operations to a small 4-tracks yard at La Prairie, on the Massena spurThree days a week, 525 will serve Candiac, and the CP interchange at Delson. On three other days, the train will go to St-Jean on the Rouses Point sub to serve customers there (but there is no turning wye at Brossard, where the Massena Sub meets the Rouses Point Sub). Shippers had no choice but to accept a drop to tri-weekly service, even if some used to get as many as 25 cars a day. Train 526 will be based at Varennes and will do trains 554 and 560's work (both have been cancelled as well). Train 528 is cancelled, 525 will serve St- Jean 3 days a week. Train 548/549 will run from Taschereau. Trains 305 and 308's work at Southwark has been cancelled Trains 309 andwill work at Taschereau. They will probably handle the steel block that is transfered to/from OC 520/521 at Coteau Trains 320 and 321 are completely cancelled. Trains 323 and 324 will serve the MMA interchange (they've already been doing that for a few weeks), and might also end up transfering the cars between Taschereau and La Prairie for 525. Never mind that La Prairie is not on 323/324's route, the train can sit on the Rouses Point main while the engines lose some hours on the Massena spur. Oh, and AMTRAK's "Adirondack" might be stuck behind 323's cars, but this is not an important part of the equation.

In other unrelated CN-Montreal changes: train 532 (the Coteau yard switcher - L53221, not to be confused with the Brockville job, L53231) has been eliminated (following the elimination of train 534 - the Coteau – Cécile Jct switcher last Summer); train 591 will only go to Regis (Cornwall) three days a week and do 532's work on the other days. n the St- Laurent sub, train 569 (Rivière des Prairies/Montréal Nord/Pointe aux Trembles switcher) has been combined with 587 (Rivière des Prairies – Joliette turn), and shippers in Montréal Nord only get serviced two or three times a week - if there's some remanining crew time. Many of these locals handled real good business (cement, grain, scrap metal, plastic granules, oil and chemical products), and ran the crews often served their full 12 hours. How CN handles the remaining traffic with such a drastic service reduction remains to be seen. Not only will this increase car cycle time and lower system velocity, but you can also bet that many CN customers will strongly disapprove and might end up shipping by truck, or move along another railroad. Moreover, if CN proceeds with its intention of removing Southwark yard and redevelopt the land, it is doubtful that it will ever be able to get the local traffic back when the recession is over.(J-F Turcotte)

The ex-CN remanufactured SD40-2W’s numbered 1001-1005 reported last month rebuilt at AMP in Dansville, NY are destined for Saudi Arabia, and will be used in the transportation of materials, equipment and workers for the ongoing construction of a significant new railroad system running through the An-Nafud wilderness. They are ex-CN 5314, 5297, 5332, 5247, and 5256. See link: http://www.miscor.com then “news”, then click on March PDF.

In October, CN’s new track geometry vehicle for the electronic inspection of track curvature, alignment and cross-level of rail lines went into service. The former RDC-1 Budd Car with a long history (ex-VIA RDC-1 6108, ex-CN 6108, nee CN D-108), will supplement CN's high- tech TEST (Track Evaluation System) cars for gathering continuous, real-time printed reports on track condition and of course being an RDC, it is bi-directional. CN engineering team use the reports to address any track irregularities and to plan long-term rail replacement programs. The former Budd was rebuilt for CN by Gateway Rail Services Inc. with a geometry system produced by ENSCO and is equipped with high-speed cameras and optical recognition software to detect possible flaws in the rail. Of CN's $1.5 billion capital budget this year, C$1.1 billion is earmarked for track infrastructure. Here is a photograph of CN’s newest track geometry vehicle at http://files.newswire.ca/761/GeometryVehicle.JPG

An attractive CN renumbering … NOT!!!! Here is GP38-2W 4788 ex-5588, (renumbered back in 1988) at Coteau, QC on November 9th, 2008. http://www.myrailfan.com/collection/CN/CN_4788/img.aspx?ID=CN_4788_COTEAU_1.jpg

On November 17th, Walter Pfefferle spotted CN CWR train 903 laying track at Woodstock, Ontario. http://railfan.thegrebs.com/CN/cn8000_903a http://railfan.thegrebs.com/CN/cn79707_903a

On November 2nd, Walter caught five GP9RM’s running together (CN 7082, 4141, 7025, 7028 & 7027) rolling eastbound through Ingersoll, Ontario on a light engine transfer. (Don’s Froth) http://railfan.thegrebs.com/CN/cn7082a_001 http://railfan.thegrebs.com/CN/cn7027a

On October 22nd, Guy-Pascal Arcouette caught an east bound CN Train with WC SD40-2 6006 in the consist passing through St-Henri, QC. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/6006.jpg

CRO’s Western Coordinator Roman Litarchuk finally caught a CN Freight with a BC Rail unit leading, BCOL 4651 on CN 107 passing in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on November 15th. http://tinyurl.com/2et4eh Then on November 8th, Roman’s friend Clayton Chaloner caught BCOL Dash 8-40CM 4617 nearby leading CN Train 852 as well: http://tinyurl.com/5ljad7

On November 102h, Marc Chouinard caught GTW SD40-2 5937 rolling east bound through Coteau, QC, enroute to Taschereau Yard. http://www.myrailfan.com/collection/CN/GTW_5937/GTW_5937_COTEAU_1.jpg

Joe Zika’s CN MacMillan Yard Report: Well it's been one of those days today, it started out decent enough, but with that Alberta Clipper that just rolled in with all that snow, it was time to stay inside and do a bit of work on the computer where it was nice and warm We'll start roughly where we left off from the last post towards the end of October.

Oct 28th found CN 5284 a SD 40-2W in town with a original paint job that's starting to show it's wear and tear over the years, but still in better shape than some of her other sibling’s in recent years.

Oct 31st had a few units in town, including CN 5444 an SD50F that will be the trailing unit in the consist leaving Mac Yard, That timeless Stop sign - " Stop the needless retirement of decent motive power " Yeah, now that the big picture is in and CN is once again scraping along short on power while these 5400 series units are being sidelined along with the expired leases on the GCFX units, it has become the norm for trains to crawl along at 25 mph and stalling on hills just because somebody in the higher ups has decided these two groups of units were surplus, just like all of those old WC SD45's and CN GP and SD40- 2W's.

CN is now the proud owner of a fleet of GE's that blow power assemblies thru their roofs and the latest tier II GM's that can barely move themselves yet alone a train, welcome to the new generation of CN! Anyway, back on track, Oct 31st also had CN SD70M-2 8831, CP SD40-2’s 5602, and 5591 on Nov 3rd, both headed to Larry's Truck Electric in Toledo, Ohio on the CSXT just like the previous bunch of CP SD40-2's Again the shipper was Power source Supply ex Clover Bar. AB. UP SD70M 4700 paid a visit to Toronto on Oct 31st, But sadly no BNSF “Pumpkins” in Heritage paint to be found for Halloween.

Nov 3rd had GMTX 2680 a deturbo'd ex-SP GP35E, with the paper air filter box. Some are content to just call them a GP 38-2 because they are all commonly known as naturally aspirated - non turbo charged 2000 HP units with upgraded electronics similar to the dash 2 line. GMTX 2680 went east on Feb 14th 2008 and is returning west headed back to NRE Acquistion in Paducah, KY ex Allenby P.Q. where she's been hiding this past year. Nov 3rd had GO 608 a MP 40PH-3 at Lambton Diesel in Sarnia, ON. Nov 4th had BCOL 4651 a 9- 44CW and CN 9542 a GP 40-2W basking in rare warm evening sun in the ready tracks at the south end of the shop. Nov 9th had UP 2753 a SD 40M-2 in mid consist coming in on a gloomy day.

Nov 11th found another GO Bi Level Coach in the yard on it's way to GO Transit in Mimico, she's fresh out of the Bombardier Shops in Thunder Bay, ON. Nov 11th also found UP 4753 a SD 70M leading a freight into the yard as I was walking in, another one of those famous into the overcast sky grab shot's. Nov 14th had GO 607 a MP40PH-3 rolling in from Sarnia, that grab shot didn't come out that great, but if you remember GO 607 went west to Lambton Diesel on Sept 13th. Nov 14th had GO 602 at the shops keeping company with CN 5561 a SD60F, GO 602 was waiting her turn to go to Sarnia to Lambton Diesel. Also in town that day we had IC 1039 a SD 70 recently repainted into the latest CN paint scheme that is looking much better know that it has had a chance to weather a bit and get good and dirty

Two other IC units were also in town along with IC 1000 still in black, we had IC SD40-2 6032 and IC 6034 an ex-GM&O SD40, at first I didn't think much about the IC 6034 until after downloading her picture I noticed she had a slightly longer nose on her than normal, upon closer inspection you will notice it is the same style of nose as used on IC's SD20 rebuild program with a SD / GP7 style nose with a flat panel instead of the point for the headlight to mount onto. Not sure if this was a wreck repair, or a prototype for the Rebuild program for the GM&O SD40's before it was contracted out to VMV.

Nov 5th had a string of Vale Inco ore cars in the westbound yard, My camera had issues focusing on the fresh black paint so i didn't get a decent shot, that string of ore cars came in on 422 and left on 303-11th as follows VAEX 3003, 11, 10, 3005, 07, 06, 18, 08, 33, 34, 02, 35, 43, 37, 38, 50, 36, 47, 40, 42, 15, 17, 04, 3019, 14, 01, 09, 20, 26, 13, 32, 27, 31, 30, 21, 16, 25, 29, 28, 23, 22, 12, 24, 3041, 49, 48, 39, 44, 56 and 3055. That's 50 30 foot rotary dump ore cars destined for Sudbury for Vale INCO Ltd. They originated from Roanoke, VA and the shipper was Freightcar America, Ltd. Now, Nov 18th had another string of these cars in the receiving yard, but I didn't have time to run the AEI to get the numbers, that'll follow on the next post, but the cars were identical to VAEX 3092 and 3096 included with this post.

Last, but not least, this past weekend I missed a chance to get photo's of the Australian BHP mining SD 70ACe's at Mac yard, they were poorly spotted and on a overcast typical day, so I passed up on them. So earlier today I took a spin down to Toronto Harbour off of Cherry Street and see if those units were there, sure enough, overcast again and they were hiding behind the fences in the Toronto Port Authority - Harbour's compound, after a so-so through the fence shot, i figured I've got nothing to loose, so I pulled up to the Security gate and asked for permission to take photo's within the compound, after a few phone calls i was given a visitor's pass and allowed in, wow, guess it never hurts to politely ask, the Site supervisor was also most gracious as well once I got past the main gate, included are a few shot's of those units with their black tarps. Don McQueen said the ship "Jumbo Vision" should be along shortly to load these export units to make the final trek to Australia.

CN Vignettes: In what is obviously a Toronto scene, a PCC crosses over an inbound CN M630 (2018) leading an M420W and another CN Big M, while CN SW1200RS 1250 does some local work on the adjacent siding. This photo was taken by R.A. Durfee in September, 1979. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=225559&nseq=2

One year ago on November 10, 2007, Ken Goslett caught CN Train 321 with brand new CN SD70M-2 8808 leading two factory fresh sisters through CN’s old Pointe St-Charles Yard with the Montreal Skyline in the background, on a fine autumn day. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=211147&nseq=214

CANADIAN PACIFIC

CP Locomotives Retired since last issue: (Previous Retirement September 30th)

SOO GP9R’s 4202, 4204 on September 30th (Posted last month without the retirement date) CP AC4400CW 8644 on Oct 29th. (First GE- AC4400CW locomotive to be retired by CP). CP GP9u’s 1558, 1586 on November 20th CP SD40-2’s 5621, 5662, 5748, 5776, and 5827 on November 20th CP SD90HMAC’s 9300, 9301, 9302, 9303 on November 20th (All four of CP’s SD90HMAC’s 9300-9303 had been placed into storage in May-June of this year and had been stored at the west end of Winnipeg’s Weston Shop with some retired CP SD40-2's. Last year UP begun to scrap their H-engine London-built SD90MAC's: http://galaxyman.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1396192 http://galaxyman.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1396199

On November 1st CRO became aware of the first CP AC4400CW locomotive to be retired by CP. The unit is currently sitting in Ogden Yard near the car shop, with the rear portion of its long hood gone. This unit was involved in a severe wreck on April 22, 2007 at Bow Island, Alberta. Several open hoppers and three engines derailed including CP AC4400CW 8644, CP ES44AC 8814, which we reported last month was repaired at RELCO in Albia, IA and CP AC4400CW 9730, which was the least damaged and is also now back in service. Here are some incredible photos of the derailment, and subsequent clean up. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/d.htm

Also, CP 9733, an AC4400CW that was damaged on 01 Mar 2008 at Sparwood, B.C., was moved on 14 Nov 2008 from the Alyth, Calgary, shop diesel tracks where it had been sitting for about 10 months to a dead-end spur at the north end of the Alyth yard; the unit has not been repaired as of this date. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9733.jpg

As CP is no longer in need of them, in late-October CP advised that all the SD40-2’s from CIFX and CEFX will be going off lease. At press time many were already stored throughout the system. Six of these in the CITX SD40-2 3000 series arrived at the Alyth diesel tracks, in Calgary, AB, on Nov 20th, (CITX # 3024, 3058, 3062, 3066, 3070 and 3083); one additional unit arrived on Nov 21st, (CITX # 3060). The units were all former GCFX (ALSTOM) units which have been re-lettered for CITX (Citi Group/Capital Finance Inc.) and three of the locomotives were former CP and SOO units: • CITX SD40-2 # 3058, ex GCFX # 3058, nee-CPR SD40-2 # 5628 • CITX SD40-2 # 3070, ex-GCFX # 3070, nee-SOO SD40 # 753 • CITX SD40-2 # 3083, ex-GCFX # 3083, nee-CPR SD40 # 5519

Currently stored at St-Luc yard: CEFX 2791, 2794, 2803, 3112, 3160, 3168, 3176, 3181, 3184 + blue untagged unit CITX 2792, 3035 (ex-BNSF), 3067, 3092, 3098, 3102, http://www.myrailfan.com/misc/img.aspx?ID=leasers.jpg

On November 2nd three more CP GP38-2's, (nos. 3104, 3107 and 3112), were released from the Ogden Paint Shop in Calgary, AB., in the current CP livery, and have now been placed in service.

For the 10th straight year, CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY will again operate their "Holiday Trains". Two trains (US and Canadian) will operate this year, and stops are also scheduled on their newly acquired ICE & DME routes in the USA! Food banks in more than 100 North American communities will be front and center when the Holiday Train gets underway. The brightly decorated CP train will again be collecting food and money for local food banks, raise awareness in the fight against hunger and, help communities across CP's newly expanded network celebrate the holiday season.

See CP's Holiday Train Schedule and photos of past years trains at: http://www8.cpr.ca/cms/English/General+Public/Holiday+Train/default.htm (Schedule) http://www8.cpr.ca/cms/English/Media/Photo+Gallery/Holiday+Train/default.htm (Photos)

The CP Heritage Cars that were chosen for the two Holiday Trains deadheaded from Calgary on November 15th and arrived at Montreal St-Luc Yard on the 20th of November. CP train 116-14 with CEFX 1056 + CP 9568 for power had an estimated 7000 feet of a train that included about 25 tail-end auto's, then 9 (occupied) business cars (8 + 1 power/tool car) on the extreme rear of the train heading for Montreal! Tail-end cars on 116 as follows: CP 96 - power/tool car CP 102 - "Smoky Smith" coach CP 79 - "N.R. Crump" stateroom car CP 73 - "Mount Royal" business car CP 82 - "Strathcona" business car CP 101 - "Dominion" Coach CP 84 - "Banffshire" stateroom car CP 71 - "Killarney" business car CP 77 - "Van Horne" business car.

The cars appear to be marshalled for their assignments to the two Holiday Trains. Each one gets a coach, sleeper and two business cars this year, plus stage and auxiliary cars. The stage cars 401750 and 401753 arrived November 14, and the auxiliary 401754 arrived November 7. The balance of the consist will be made up of the usual containers and box cars lit up. We should have an exclusive on the US train next month as yours truly will be on board!

CRO was aboard of US train that left St-Luc yard on November 26th. For details and complete 2008 CP HOLIDAY TRAIN CONSISTS with pictures and video (bottom of page), visit Marc’s website : http://www.myrailfan.com/news/1019/index.htm

In late-October and November, CP sold the following additional locomotives to LARRY’s TRUCK ELECTRIC in McDonald, Ohio. The units are: SOO SD40-2 781, CP SD40-2’s 5602, 5639, 5646, 5675, and 5817 and all were moved from Calgary via CP and then handed off to CN at the CP/CN Clover Bar interchange in Edmonton, Alberta. Some of these units and some of the units mentioned last month: CP SW9u 1203, SW1200RS’s 8113, 8131, CP SD40- 2’s 5578, 5587, 5591, 5663, 5676, 5761, and 5768, began moving from Edmonton in late October to LTEX. On October 30th CN Train #383 behind CN 5711, CNIC 6111 & IC 6052 with Former CP SD40-2’s 5761, 5675, 5646 & 5639 dead in tow from Toronto to Toledo, Ohio. The next day, CP SD40-2 5602 was forwarded on CN train 383 destined for Stanley Ohio and the CSXT. CSXT refused 5602 in Ohio and the locomotive was delayed to LTEX. On November 4th, CP 5591 arrived in Mac Yard Toronto with the same billing as the previous CP SD40-2's, that is from Clover Bar, AB to Toledo, Ohio. The shipper is Power Source Supply and consignee is (Larry's) Truck Electric. Here are some photos of the ex-CP units being delivered by CN and CSXT. In mid-November CP 781, 5587, and 5675 were moved to LTEX Scrap track http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/f.jpg http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1377929 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1377930

(Ex-SOO SD40-2 781 being cut up in November at LTEX). http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/781.jpg

In October the RELCO Shop in Albia, Iowa repaired, renumbered and relettered (MILWAUKEE painted) SOO LINE GP40 2026 to CP 4612. As well SOO LINE GP38-2 4452 was relettered at RELCO to CP 4452. These two units have been repainted in the latest CP red livery. In November, CP GP38-2 4403 was released in fresh paint from RELCO. CRO Is seeking photos of this trio in the new paint.

Bruce Mercer reported on November 3rd that RTEX 8153, which is a former CP SW1200RS and painted in the standard RTEX switcher livery will soon be moving to HBM&S in Flin Flon, MB., to join RTEX SW1200RS 8161 which is already there.

End of the line: In mid-November, Doug MacKenzie clicked retired CP SW1200RS 8155 being stripped for parts by a contractor at Ogden, Alberta. The balance will be chopped up in the next few days. CP SW1200RS 8111 is the last one on the CP roster but it is stored in Moose Jaw, SK. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/8155-1.jpg http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/8155-2.jpg http://www.mountainrailway.com/Roster%20Archive/CP%208100/CP%208155.htm (active)

Trace of the final four ST. LAWRENCE & HUDSON-liveried SD40-2’s (By Luc Lanthier) STLH SD40-2 5560 Arr. West Toronto, ON Nov.15 at 11:20am STLH SD40-2 5593 Arr. Chicago, Il Nov.15 at 13:11pm STLH SD40-2 5615 Arr. Milwaukee, WI Nov.15 at 12:07pm STLH SD40-2 5651 Arr. Toronto Yard, ON November 12

Tim Mayhew clicked CP train #233 under a beautiful sky on November 11th at Finch, Ontario with CP “Olympic” ES44AC 8867, and CP SD40-2 6056 (which was converted to a B-unit in 1991).

John Soehner caught this race track-like line up of CP locomotives at Smiths Falls, Ontario on November 12th. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/race.jpg

Craig Konopski’s CP/CN Lakehead Report:

Craig was out for a few hours the morning of November 9th around the Thunder Bay Terminal under very overcast skies with frequent snow squalls and windchills near -10C (14F). Here are a few samples of the action…

Road power for CN train 437 (later in the evening) is being used by the 0730 Neebing job spotting-up the Cargill (Pool 14) elevator down at CN's Mission Terminal. Power was SD70M-2 8803 and ES44DC's 2273 + 2294.

CP coal empties 825-025 has ES44AC 8773 for 'solo' power as it heads off the coal terminal (TBTL) crossing over the McKellar and Kaministiquia River ("Jacknife") bridges. This was the 1000 relief assignment bringing the empties off the island into the yard at Westfort for the carmen to inspect. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9098.jpg http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9101.jpg

CP train 434-09 slowly heads down the south main track over the Port Arthur interlocking (Thunder Bay North) with plenty of power and just 38 cars today. We have SD90MAC's 9107, 9135, 9113 and SD40-2's 5841 + 5870 up front.

CP train 101-08 is by the same location a short time later and under a heavy snow squall. This 8,500 foot monster included a few auto's on the head-end. A robotized "2+1" train that included "Olympic unit" 8871 on the point. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9114.jpg http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9116.jpg

9130x + 9135x -- CP train 116-06 is next with a robotized "1+1" combo down the south track. Another Olympic unit leading and an "Automax" brings up the rear of the train next to the tail-end robot. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9130.jpg http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9135.jpg

A sound file! A large 103-car train 441-09 departs Westfort with SD40-2F 9015 leading, SD9043MAC 9158 in the middle, and SD40-2 5988 as the 3rd unit. Unfortunately, the 9015 died not far out of town as well as the 9158 suffering from ground relays, so some rescue power had to come out of town and tow the train into Ignace. Gotta love that "howler" in the consist.... 'Red Barn' # 9015 as it passes by Mountdale Avenue at mile 2.68 Kam Sub!

CP yard power on-hand in Thunder Bay, Ontario the week of Nov. 10th: CP 1574 + 1560 + 1571, CP 1543 + 1643, CP 1694 + 1522, CP 5492 + 6613, CP 5499 + 5493, CP 6006 + 5420. CP 8166 'solo', CP 1250 'solo' (at the car shops)

A few assorted CN and CP shots from November 10th, around the Thunder Bay terminal. Many of these are not the greatest due to the direction of train travel and the time of day with the sun...... I don't care! I have to illustrate my point anyways.

CN grain train 844 arrives at the west end of Port Arthur Yard (Thunder Bay North) with a good 60 loads, after making a 35-car set-off at Neebing. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9137.jpg http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9140.jpg

The CN "Extra 12" yard assignment is using 840's (grain train) power that arrived in town earlier for their switching duties down at the Mission Terminal. We see the crew with a hold of 34 cars ready to depart the west end of 'MU' yard down at the Mission mid-afternoon. The small sticker inside the door on the 5302 says.... "Railroads do it. Day and Night". How true! http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9175.jpg http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9179.jpg

Slowly rolling over the James Street swing bridge, crossing the mighty Kaministiquia River. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9193.jpg

A CP Army train symboled "ARMY-07" has CEFX 1034 + CP 8773 for power and 81 loads and over a mile of military vehicles going from Suffield, AB to Montreal, Quebec. Biz car "Assiniboine" was on the rear. Which is first for these types of Army trains as you would normally see one or two special vans on the rear! I guess they want the military personnel (ie: security riding on-board) to go in comfort!! http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/army.htm

And finally, we catch up with him again as he is about to hammer the Neebing interlocking (diamond) by the west end of the CN-CP transfer. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9199.jpg

On November 14th, CN train A43641-14 had the following lash-up: CN 8836, IC 3102, IC 6052 with 115 cars. A rare "double IC" lash-up for these parts! Kyle Stefanovic got a couple of 'low light' pictures of the train when it arrived near sunset. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/lake-3102-1.jpg http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/lake-bc8836-1.jpg

CN 844's power down at the Pool 14 (Cargill elevator) Monday afternoon, BCOL 4601 + CN 2301 doing the honours. Later, we see this "Extra 12" yard assignment at the west end of the CN Mission Yard and again slowly roll across the Kaministiquia River (swing bridge) on the CN Mission Spur with 24 grain empties to come up to Neebing Yard. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/lake-bc4601-1.jpg http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/lake-bc4601-2.jpg http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/lake-bc4601-3.jpg

The Remembrance Day -Veteran’s Day tradition continues: CP brought all trains across Canada and the United States to a halt at 11 a.m. local time on November 11, observing two minutes of silence in honour of those who have served their country in war in the past and today. The silence was followed by one long train whistle blast as our salute to those men and women. “On Remembrance Day, Canadian Pacific recognizes the contributions our employees made in times of war” said Mike Franczak, the Canadian Pacific Vice President of Operations: “On land, sea and in the air the company, its people, its resources, its ingenuity and expertise were needed, at home and abroad” 33,127 CP employees served in the last century's two world conflicts alone with 1,774 giving their lives.

During the CP Spirit Train’s visit to Old Montreal in October, Guy-Pascal Arcouette was invited up into the cab, and snapped these images of the GE ES44AC’s control stand. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/cab1.jpg http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/cab2.jpg

In mid-November, the CP V70 and V71 (Delta Port Transfer’s) were using CANADIAN NATIONAL Locomotives for HPH payback to CP. The Delta Port Transfer, which runs between Robert's Bank and the Vancouver Intermodal Facility (VIF Yard) in Pitt Meadows, BC which is just east of CP's Coquitlam Yard. with a pair of back to back CP GP38ACs or SD40-2s or one of each. CN offered two of their SD40-2’s: 5296 and CN 5288. Then after November 20th, CN SD40-2W 5242 joined CN Dash9-44CW 2572 on trains V70 and V71 Once another CN SD40-2 with DB becomes available, it will replace the 2572 to repay HPH. Looking lost in a sea of red, Mark Forseille clicked BCR 4601 and CN 2572 on November 23rd as the two CN units repaying the CP horsepower hours as a bonus he caught VITX 2010 which will be the new switcher for the old Pacific Elevators on Vancouver's waterfront which is now called Viterra.

As reported in last month’s CRO. The CPR EMPRESS was chartered by GW Travel Limited (UK) for a journey from Calgary-Vancouver-Calgary from 28 Sep to 09 Oct 2008. The train had both CPR FP9Au 1401 and F9B 1900 accompanying the CPR 4-6-4 Hudson # 2816 and cars in the CPR Tuscan Red colours and Milwaukee Road livery (leased from North Star Rail), Here are some awesome photos of the #2816 steaming through Crowsnest, BC: http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve/forums?a=albumtopic&TOPIC_OID=3651070084&f=453102703

Last year, CPRS-painted AC4400CW 9554 was involved in a derailment at La Crescent, WI. The locomotive ended up on its side and during the cleanup was placed on a QTTX flat and was forwarded to RELCO on January 25th 2008 for major repairs http://carlsonphotos.net/mediagallery/displayimage.php?album=16&pid=2037 http://carlsonphotos.net/mediagallery/displayimage.php?album=16&pid=2040 http://carlsonphotos.net/mediagallery/displayimage.php?album=16&pid=2039

CP Vignettes: Built in 1957 by MLW as RSD-17 #7007, this unit was painted in the CPR Maroon & Grey "Block" paint scheme. She tested on CP in 1957, then she went to CN where she demonstrated as CN #3899 in early 1958, and finally went to PGE where she tested as PGE #624, until October 1958. As there were no takers, MLW offered their demonstrator to CP at a good price, and she was purchased on September 14, 1959, and renumbered to CPR #8921. http://www.mountainrailway.com/Roster%20Archive/CP%208900/CP%208921-5.jpg

It’s unfortunate that #8921 never wore the attractive CPR Script livery and went right to action red CP RAIL livery in the 1970’s. In the photo below, the “Empress of Agincourt” #8921 cools its heals near the diesel shop in Toronto’s Agincourt Yard on May 26th, 1980 with a trio of TORONTO HAMILTON & BUFFALO Geep’s in the background. The CP RSD-17 got this nickname after being assigned for many years as the Toronto Yard’s standard “Transfer” power. (Jim Parker photo from Dean Beech’s Collection) http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/8921.jpg

Not surprisingly, #8921 ended its days doing the same thing in Montreal, operating on yet another transfer run … this time between the Port of Montreal, Hochelaga Yard and St-Luc Yard. When it was reassigned to Montreal from Toronto in the early 1988 it was sent to the Angus Shop for rebuild and got a chopped nose and repaint on the cab and nose only. Oddly the CP RAIL nose stripes were applied inverted! It is believed some CP shop employees who had learned of her “Empress of Agincourt” tag began calling the unit “The Duke of St-Luc”! She was retired in May 1995 in operating condition but soon became a parts source and was donated to the Elgin County Railway Museum, St. Thomas, ON in January 1997. On the evening of January 14th, 1997, William Baird was called by the St-Luc Shop to be a “rider” on it her last voyage out of Montreal that night. William rode in the cab of CP 5639, the second of the two forward facing SD40-2’s (5632-5639-8921) and assisted the other St-Luc Diesel rider, Mr. Cecil Chapman (who unfortunately died last year), in surveillance of the engine movement to Smiths Falls, Ontario. As the RSD-17 was nothing more than a shell at this point they could not actually ride in her ... far too cold! Especially since the brake line was exposed up along the walkway and run through the open cab doors. Cecile and Will took turns looking back making sure everything was rolling safely behind. After being stored inside at St. Thomas for many months, the locomotive was entirely repainted by the museum into fresh action red, and to the delight of the hard core CP fans … the stripes were re-applied backwards on the nose! (Photo: Bill Sanderson) ht tp://www.mountainrailway.com/Roster%20Archive/CP%208900/CP%208921-2.jpg Bruce Chapman forwarded this terrific link sent by John Needham showing detail and photos from Eric D, Gagnon of CPR’s scenic Heron Bay - Nipigon Sub. http://members.kos.net/sdgagnon/heronbay.html

In July 1978, Donald Haskel caught this great image of a smoking CP RAIL RS18 8736 leading her two MLW-built sisters, and several BAR 50’ box cars through Sherbrooke, Quebec, now MM&A’s trackage. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=183456&nseq=3

On June 17, 1999, Bill Sanderson caught CP westbound freight #407 at Mile 3.1 of the Nemegos Subdivision at Benny, Ont., (just west of the division point of Cartier). In 1999, #407 handled both manifest and intermodal traffic between Toronto and Calgary and on this occasion its 80 platforms were being powered by full bodied SD40-2F 9012 and SD40-2's 6076 and 5796. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9012.jpg

John Soehner took this classic Mud Lake Trestle shot from June 6th, 2007 with CPSD40-2 5750, SOO SD60 6027, CP GP9u 8224, and SD40-2 5712 and Smiths Falls yard engine 3057 leading #235, a manifest freight train across the Mud Lake Trestle at Feldspar, Ontario. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/5750.jpg

VIA RAIL and COMMUTER RAILROADS (William Baird and Terry Muirhead)

VIA RAIL NEWS: One-of-a-kind VIA Club Car 1750 “Glen Fraser” was included in The Canadian’s consist out of Vancouver on October 28th and was chartered by "Roots on the Rails". They went as far as Winnipeg where that leg of the trip came to an end on Oct 30th. On November 2nd another "Roots on the Rail" Group Joined at Winnipeg, and travelled to Churchill on Train #693. On Nov 4th the Group arrived at Churchill and spent two days in Churchill. On November 7th the Group left Churchill on #692 for Winnipeg and departed Winnipeg on November 8th. On November 9th, the train consist for the “Roots on the Rails” dead-headed to Toronto on #2, and then on #1's Consist for Vancouver. On November 11th, another “Roots on the Rails” group joined up at Toronto Union Station, and was added to VIA #1's consist. The Group arrived in Vancouver at Pacific Central Station on Nov 14. This group generally charters a Baggage Car, 1750 Glen Fraser, 2 Chateau-Series Cars, 2 Manor-Series Cars, 1 Skyline Dome, and a Diner. Of note: This might be the first time the 1750 Glen Fraser has ever been on the Churchill Line.

This was the entire VIA train consist: 6434 F40PH-2 Vancouver Assigned Unit (in Spiderman-livery) off at Toronto 6442 F40PH-2 Vancouver Assigned Unit off at Toronto 8209 Chateau Iberville off at Wpg-Transfer to Train #693 (Roots on the Rails Charter) 8325 Elgin Manor off at Wpg-Transfer to Train # 693 (Roots on the Rails Charter) 8309 Brant Manor off at Wpg-Transfer to Train #693 (Roots on the Rails Charter) 8205 Chateau Closse off at Wpg-Transfer to Train #693 (Roots on the Rails Charter) 8413 Louise Diner off at Wpg-Transfer to Train #693 (Roots on the Rails Charter) 8510 Skyline off at Wpg-Transfer to Train #693 (Roots on the Rails Charter) 1750 Glen Fraser off at Wpg-Transfer to Train #693 (Roots on the Rails Charter) 8606 Baggage off at Wpg-Transfer to Train #693 (Roots on the Rails Charter)> (------Split in the consist, then #2's Section to Toronto)------) 8609 Baggage 8131 8123 8511 Skyline 8336 Monck Manor 8414 Palliser Diner 8315 Carleton Manor 8313 Cabot Manor 8340 Stuart Manor 8717 Waterton Park

VIA #693 HUDSON BAY departing Dauphin, MB, on November 3, 2008. This may be the longest passenger train ever to go to Churchill, MB. (Mark Perry)

6458 F40PH-2 6440 F40PH-2 8600 Baggage 8110 Coach 8132 Coach 8404 Diner "ANNAPOLIS" 8228 Sleeper "CHATEAU VERCHERES" 8210 Sleeper "CHATEAU JOLLIET" 8227 Sleeper "CHATEAU VARENNES" 8216 Sleeper "CHATEAU LEVIS" 8208 Sleeper "CHATEAU DOLLIER" 8209 Sleeper "CHATEAU IBERVILLE" 8325 Sleeper "ELGIN MANOR" 8309 Sleeper "BRANT MANOR" 8205 Sleeper "CHATEAU CLOSSE" 8413 Diner "LOUISE" 8510 Skyline Dome 1750 Club Car "GLENFRASER" 8606 Baggage “Roots of the Rails” link: http://www.flyingunderradar.com/rails/polartrain08.htm

In late October Guy-Pascal Arcouette clicked the 1954 CC&F-built VIA RAIL Lounge Car 1750 “Glen Fraser” at the De Courcelles Street crossing in St-Henri, QC, on a VIA Eastbound from Toronto. The car is ex-VIA Coach 5585 ex-BCOL and was acquired in 2002, and is the only car of this type owned by VIA. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/1750.jpg

On October 24th, VIA F40PH-2 6456, & 6429 (Telus livery) arrived in Vancouver on Train #1. They sit outside the VIA Rail Vancouver Maintenance Center following servicing. These two Locomotives will be on Train #2 “The Canadian” the next day destined to Toronto. These same 2 Locomotives would arrive back into Vancouver 1 week later on Train #1. It's been a few years since the 6429 was last in Vancouver. (Terry Muirhead) http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/duo.jpg

VIA Vignettes: On May 14, 1988 Pierre Fournier caught Train #25 with VIA FPA4 6765 at Lemieux west, Quebec, on the CN’s Drummondville Sub. This unit is now preserved indoor’s at the EXPORAIL Museum at St-Constant, QC, as CNR 6765 in the handsome Canadian National Railway-1950’s Green, Black and Gold livery. (Froth) http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=260286&nseq=37

Tim Organ sent Don McQueen’s “Froth” some interesting photos of Canadian engines. One image included VIA LRC 6941, still painted as AMTRAK 2100 which demonstrated in the US in the 1980’s, seen here stripped of parts, and in the dead line at Pointe St-Charles, QC on August 14, 1990. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=289002 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=115538 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=902383

GO Toronto Transit News:

MPEX MP40PH-3C 621 arrived in Toronto on November 2nd, and was delivered to GO TRANSIT on November 4th. MPEX 622 and 623, are still to come from the Boise, Idaho plant. On November 3rd we learned that GO MP40PH-3C 608 had been sidelined due to a water leak on the electrical systems and other GO units were also be affected. As the repairs are minor, the work is to be subcontracted out, and GO 608 was forwarded to LAMBTON DIESEL SPECIALISTS Inc. (LDSX), in Sarnia, Ontario and did not need be returned to MPEX in Boise, ID. As well, GO 602 and 608 were also sent to LDSX for minor repairs. As overall they are pleased with these units, GO has advised they have extended the order for MP40PH-3C’s to include numbers 627-646, with delivery to be completed in the year 2010. They are apparently also going to Store-Serviceable approximately 15 GO F59PH’s which will not be needed.

AMT Montreal Commuter Vignette: On May 12th, Samuel Thibodeau caught AMT F59PHI 1326 and Train 185 crossing the Thousand Islands (Mille Isles) River enroute for Blainville, Quebec on a warm spring day. Our Toronto area readers will recognize the rolling stock! http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=235224&nseq=13

CANADIAN LOCOMOTIVE SHOPS

CP GP9u 8249, which was wrecked in Southern Ontario a few months ago, has been forwarded to AMERICAN MOTIVE POWER at Point St-Charles, QC, for repairs.

Unfortunately part of the old CN Point St-Charles Shop, (which is connected to AMP), and was used as paper recycling facility caught fire on November 15th. As can be seen in the photos there was damage to the AMP facility and minor damage to the locomotives and rolling stock. The fire damaged areas to the Pointe St. Charles Shop include: If you are talking about the CN-era of the PSC Shop, then it is the north east portion that is closest to Montreal which is where the old car shop area was that has been destroyed. If you are talking about the ALSTOM-era, then it is both the production line for new freight car fabrication and the production line for new locomotive assembly. For example: Some CN & ONR SD-70s were built here But not the FURX etc SD40-3 rebuild production area which appears to be OK, but may have to be torn down due to structural reasons. One of the photos shows a giant pool of water in the car shop. This was the transfer table pit in the center of the car shop. There were some minor administrative offices in the area but the main administrative three story office at 1830 Le Ber Avenue was not touched. ALSTOM has been out of the facility for many years but their large sign has remained on the structure. Outside the shop you can see NJT 4137 with part of a wall landed on it; and NJT commuter coaches, and what looks to be CEFX 2786. The lease was almost up for the recycling company the City of Montreal had sent notices to the owner and the renter that he was in violation of his lease and city permits. He had been given a 30 day extension on their lease but had to have the paper removed by month end. Preliminary investigation has showed Montreal Fire Investigators the fire started in several locations, which suggests the possibility of arson. See the fire photos: http://www.coderouge.com/interventions/intervention.php?lg=fr&feu=731

CADRAIL in Lachine, Quebec is nearing completion of their extended hood VIA prototype no. 6402, which is tagged an F40PH-2D and which is to be released near the end of December. CADRAIL were awarded the contract two years ago to rebuild, upgrade and repaint the entire 6400-series fleet of 54 F40PH-2’s, which were constructed by GMDD- London in the late 1980’s. Also seen at CADRAIL/RAILPOWER in November were RPRX 5401 UPY 2300, 2301 and CP 8756.

In October, LAMBTON DIESEL SPECIALISTS Inc. (LDSX - Sarnia ON) purchased RLK SW1200RS’s 1201 and 1285. These were originally CN switchers 1335 and 1285. As well major cab and body work continues on GTW GP38-2 5819 which experienced a sideswipe incident a couple of months ago. In late October LDSX resold 1201 to the VIDAL STREET INDUSTRIIAL PARK in Sarnia, Ontario, with the new reporting marks VIPX. This company also owns former GTW SW1200 1511. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=147809 RLK SW1200RS 1201

Through CANAC we received this photo of freshly painted CANX GP9 8701 which has been re-wheeled at NRE- Capreol, Ontario in November. This unit is former QNSL 169, ande was purchased by CANAC (SAVAGE) from the RED ROCK MILL in Red Rock, Ontario. This is the second CANX unit to be numbered 8701, and is the first SAVAGE-owned unit that has been Canadian-painted at NRE-Capreol with CANAC decals. It will be sent to work at MARATHON PULP in Marathon, ON. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/8701.htm

Jody Moore’s “Green” Locomotive Roundup: http://www.trainweb.org/gensets http://www.trainweb.org/greengoats

Brandt Road-Rail:

The latest entry into the increasingly crowded genset locomotive fray is industry-leading MOW equipment maker Brandt Road-Rail of Regina, Saskatchewan. Though they aren't quite ready to begin testing the prototype, Brandt has decided to give CRO some exclusive details of their new genset locomotive.

The new locomotive will use three John Deere 6135 diesels rated at 600 hp each, for a total horsepower rating of 1,800 for the three engine model. Build to order options like dynamic brakes will be available as well. A model designation has not been made public yet.

Brandt has completed a very interesting looking prototype, and provided CRO with the following exclusive photos: http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/brandt1.jpg http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/brandt2.jpg

The unit is built on an entirely new frame, and weighs in at 270,000 pounds. Serial number and official build date have not been made public. The prototype uses NYAB CCB-26 brakes, but other options are available as well. Reporting marks are BRTX, but the unit number has not yet been revealed.

This is a major step forward for the Canadian-based company, which is celebrating its 75th year in the industry. Brandt is planning on building both yard and road switchers for the and targeting the railroad industry as a whole rather than the maintenance of way market, where the company has earned a reputation as an industry leader.

When completed, Brandt plans to work with Canadian Pacific to test this new unit, and then will be seeking demonstrations on other railroads. I'm sure that there will be plenty more details forthcoming in the next few months, but we are proud at CRO to provide the first look at this new product.

Brookville Equipment:

On Nov. 11, BL20CG CoGen demonstrator BMEX 259 was handed off to CSX in New Castle, PA to begin its trip to Fort Worth, TX and a demonstration on BNSF. The unit was reported around St. Louis on Nov. 14.

Coast Engine & Equipment:

The rebuild of White Pass and Yukon shovel-nosed locomotives 90 and 98 by CEECo in Tacoma, WA (see the November 2008 CRO, page 18) is the start of something bigger for the company. CEECo (owned by Washington Corp., the same parent company as the Southern Railway of BC, and Montana Rail Link) has announced plans to enter the increasingly lucrative locomotive re-power market using a single engine system developed in conjunction with Cummins Diesel. The two narrow gauge tourist locomotives will be the first examples of this plan, but according to a report in the Tacoma News Tribune newspaper http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/509919.html CEECo is planning on building “several” demonstrator locomotives for testing on the Montana Rail Link. The article states that the engines will be capable of producing between 2,000 and 3,100 horsepower, and will meet EPA Tier III requirements. Your editor is not sure what engine that will mean, but Cummins’ QSK60 is rated between 1,700 and 2,850 hp. The WP&Y engines will be rated at 1,400 hp, meaning that they will more likely be using either QSK45 or QSK50 power plants.

Electro Motive Diesel:

To follow up on the report in last month’s edition, we have confirmed that EMDX 9501, one of the original SD60MAC units, which is currently at Coast Engine and Equipment (CEECo) in Tacoma, WA IS NOT being rebuilt as an SD32ECO demonstrator. This makes sense, since, as Extra 2200 South editor Doug Cummings pointed out, it was built with a 710 engine to begin with. Instead, it will become an engine test cell for EMD. There’s no word of a possible demonstrator for the six-axle platform.

MotivePower:

MPEX 244, the MP21B genset demonstrator, is wrapping up its test in the Canadian Pacific’s Alyth (Calgary) yard. Cor Van Steenis caught it switching the CP Logistics pipe and coil trans-loading facility (operated by Bates Equipment) at Ogden Yard on Oct. 23 and supplied this photo: http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/mpex.jpg

On November 21st the unit had left Calgary and was enroute to Chicago, IL via CP, to be interchanged with Norfolk Southern.

National Railway Equipment:

Viterra 1GS7B VITX 2010 was spotted on the move to Vancouver, BC in early November. The unit is expected to travel to Vancouver via CP. The locomotive – funded by Canada’s EcoFreight program – was first announced on May 7. Here’s a link to the press release on Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS210835+07-May-2008+BW20080507 The unit departed Chicago on Nov. 14, and was traveling to Calgary on CP train 295/17 on Nov. 19, along with a group of CITX SD40-2’s that were headed for storage. The unit was enroute to Vancouver at press time and Cor van Steenis grabbed this photo near Calgary: http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/viterra1.jpg

NREX 2008 was spotted at work in Rutland, VT on the Green Mountain Railroad during the month of October. This unit has been on long-term lease to MBTA in Dedham, MA. No word on whether this unit is demonstrating on the GMRR or is there for some other purpose, but it was noted in Rutland as recently as the last week of October.

A new 3GS21B model locomotive for Metropolitan Stevedore Company in Long Beach, CA was spotted at NRE Mount Vernon on Nov. 6. Steven Hamilton collected this shot of MSC 0805 from quite a distance: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1382742 Note the two additional genset cabs in the background. The locomotive is being funded by a Carl Moyer clean air grant.

Progress Rail Services:

While the identity of the core unit for PL22B demonstrator PRLX 2008 still is not known, it is confirmed that the unit is not previously sighted test bed PRSX 3802, nor is it nearly completed PRSX 2005, both of which were noted at Progress’ facility in Mayfield, KY after the 2008 was introduced to the world in Chicago in September. PRLX 2008: http://www.trainweb.org/gensets/prlx/2008.html

RailPower Technologies:

If the waybills are to be believed, UPY 2300 will be the next GG20B to depart CADRail after being upgraded to Gen. IV standards. As of mid-November, the unit still hadn’t departed. This unit has been a regular fixture at CAD for about two years, having been sent there for fire damage repairs about a year before the recall took effect. At press time, both the UPY 2300 and UPY 2301 were billed and expected to depart CAD soon. Update: On Nov. 24, Bob Heathorn caught UPY 2301 in transit through Smiths Falls, Ontario on CP train 235/23. The unit has been repaired, but not completely repainted, as it shows evidence of a previous mishap on the side of the cab. UPY 2303 left CADRail and was sitting at St-Luc as of Nov. 26 http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/2301.jpg http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/8860.jpg http://www.myrailfan.com/misc/2303.jpg

Correction department: Due to an oversight on my part, it was incorrectly reported that Railpower GG20B RPRX 2402 had been shipped to Thoroughbred Mechanical Service in Altoona, PA to be converted to an RP20BD genset. Although its sister units, RPRX 2401, 2403-2405 and UPY 2004 have been sent, the 2402 is not presently in Altoona. For the time being, the 2402 is still in Montreal, with no plans to ship it for conversion.

Also, I got my fat fingers misdirected and reported last month that the new RP20CD’s for UP would be numbered UPY 895 and 896. They’ll actually be numbered UPY 894 and 895, in series before UPY 896-899, which were delivered earlier this year.

Word from out east is that TMS is nearly finished with the first of its RP20BD genset conversions for Railpower. We will be working to keep the identities of the units straight as they emerge from TMS. Also, it was noted that TMS is nearly finished with Railpower RP20CD unit NS 3830.

On Nov. 13, Railpower released its 3rd Quarter results and accompanying Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A). Though the company still recorded a net loss of $7.1 Million, the overall tone of the report was much more (cautiously) optimistic than in previous quarters. Highlights for the quarter include the sale of five locomotives and one EcoCrane (to Port of Long Beach, with an option for five more), and the shutdown of the construction on the new plant in St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu, PQ. “The global slowdown of the economy resulting in slower sales than expected forced us to take cash preservation measures, such as the suspension of the assembly plant construction. However, we remain confident in our technology based on our tests and fleet performance, and comments received from our customers. The orders received during the quarter constitute an important achievement as they were awarded by three new customers, thus broadening our customer base.” Railpower CEO Jose Mathieu said in the report. The full text of the report and MD&A can be found on the Investor Relations portion of Railpower’s website at http://www.railpower.com/ir_reports.html

The MD&A also reported that the company had settled an ongoing arbitration with Railserve over issues with its fleet of Green Goats. That arbitration began in April of this year. In the terms of the agreement, Railserve will be accepting three locomotives that were at issue, returning one, and taking one locomotive from Railpower’s inventory. (According to one reliable source in Quebec, that locomotive will be RPRX 2402.) Railpower has agreed to waive the outstanding balance owed on those locomotives of $1.2 Million, and in turn Railserve has agreed to release Railpower from its obligations to overhaul 11 locomotives under the recall, and fulfill warranty work on the entire 16-unit fleet. The net result for Railpower is a gain of $3.8 Million, which will be applied to next quarter’s results.

Railpower’s well-traveled RP20BD demonstrator RPRX 5400 began a two-week demonstration on the Indiana Harbor Belt on Nov. 14. The IHB tested BNSF 1286 (as NREX 2013 prior to delivery) in February. Sam Beck caught the 5400 working in Hammond, IN on the 14th: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1388642 We have gotten word that the IHB is intending to purchase three genset models …more details next month.

On Nov. 18th, RP20BD demonstrator RPRX 5407 wrapped up its demonstration in Canadian Pacific’s Alyth Yard. The unit departed Calgary eastbound on a CP Train 292 on the 21st. The unit is destined for Lexington, Kentucky, possibly for demonstrations on the RJ Corman Railroad. That line recieved grant money from the state of Ohio for locomotive replacement back in August 2008. Confirmation of the unit's demonstration plans weren't confirmed when this issue went to press. RPRX 5407 departed on the same CP train from Calgary that MPEX 244 left on to begin its trip to Chicago for furtherance on the NS.

Thanks for their assistance in assembling this month’s roundup goes out to: Neil Marcotte and Brandt Road-Rail, Railpower Technologies, Cor van Steenis, Lance Meyers, William Baird, Sean Graham-White, Bruce Mercer, Sam Beck, Ken Lanovich, Luc Lanthier and Ken Perry.

ELECTRO-MOTIVE CANADA COMPANY (By Don McQueen)

Summary of EMCC deliveries during October 2008

During October, the nine units seen shipped from EMCC were all for UK customers.

On October 19, the following JT42s were lifted in a special export train made up of EMDX transition flats 11001, 11102; Direct Rail Service (DRS 66431, 66432, 66433, 66434 as EMDX 1006-1009); Freightliner (FL 66954, 66955, 66956, 66957 as EMDX 1001-1004) and Fast Line Freight (FLF) 66302 as GMDX 1005). All the locomotives were loaded onto JumboShip STELLANOVA in Halifax.

Seen painted around the plant were most of the SD70ACe order 20078915 for EDI Rail Proprietary Ltd., Australia, Broken Hill Proprietary (BHP 4334-4336) in orange and grey. Bagging for shipping began late in the month.

The first of the CANADIAN NATIONAL order (20086896) for 25 SD70DCe (aka SD70M-2’s) 8850-8874 were seen both in primer and paint.

Additional JT42CW units for Euro Cargo Rail were sighted in primer, although the blue JT42 was the Egyptian 2124.

On November 13th, Bruce Douglas caught a grouping of tarp covered SD70ACe/LCi units for BHP in Australia, in Stratford, Ontario despite the pouring rain. GMDX 1008 is the reporting mark for BHP 4342. (Froth) http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/pdf.jpg

On November 3rd, FLORIDA EAST COAST SD70M-2 107 had been interchanged to CSXT’s Barr yard, Riverdale, IL for furtherance to Georgia (and Florida). On November 2nd, Bryan Smith and G. Gerard chased a CSXT freight from Dothan AL to Bainbridge, GA and caught brand new EMCC-built SD70M-2’s (FEC 104, 105 and 106): http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1377488 http://rrpicturearchives.net/archivethumbs.aspx?id=37337

SHORT LINES, REGIONALS & INDUSTRIALS

In November, TSHIUETIN RAILWAY acquired the former QUEBEC CENTRAL Jordan Spreader (ex-CN 50964) and their Snow Plow (ex-CN 55239). The photos, kindly provided by Marc Daoust, show when they loaded at St-Lambert de Levis, QC to be transported by truck to Sept-Iles, QC where they will get the “once over” before moving on the QNS&L north to Scherfferville, QC. They will also be receiving former CONRAIL caboose 21262, which was purchased from the FILMORE & WESTERN, a short line in California. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/da.htm

Another QRC short line sold: As noted in our CN News section, Canadian National Railway announced in early November it had acquired three of Quebec Railway Corp.'s short lines. A week later LOGISTEC Corp. acquired another QRC short line. The cargo handler for eastern Canadian and U.S. ports recently reached a deal to acquire from QRC all outstanding shares of SYDNEY COAL RAILWAY (SCR), and will pay part cash and the balance pending the distribution of proceeds from the sale of QRC's assets, which is projected within 12 months. LOGISTEC currently owns a 16.2 percent stake in QRC. The 14- mile SCR provides transportation, storage and warehousing services for coal moving from Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Nova Scotia, to an electrical generating station near New Waterford, Nova Scotia. The short line interchanges with the CAPE BRETON & CENTRAL NOVA SCOTIA. The other remaining QRC short line, the CHARLEVOIX RAILWAY is being looked at by owners of Cirque du Soleil and Le Massif a mountain ski resort, who are planning a new tourist playground in the Charlevioix region of Quebec. One of the plan’s central features is a roughly 85-mile-long tourist train, scheduled to begin operation in the summer of 2009. It would originate in Quebec City, and deliver tourists to this new resort and points farther north.

On October 28th, chop nosed CAPE BRETON & CENTRAL NOVA SCOTIA (CBNS) / RAILINK GP9u 4004 (ex-SP 3877, SP 3713 nee-SP 5877), was leased to the WINDSOR & HANTSPORT Railway (WHRS). The Geep was needed because two of their four CENTRAL MANITOBA RAILWAY (CEMR) GP9RM’s have suffered failures while working on the WHRS. The two out of service units are CEMR GP9 4012 which needs an alternator and CEMR GP9 4013 which is in worse shape as she needs an alternator and a new prime mover The WHRC is attempting to get one of the two out-of-service units up running again. Cliff Holder’s shot shows the locomotive leaving Truro, NS on CN train # 407 for Moncton, NB. It was then switched onto CN train # 408 to Windsor Junction, NS, for pickup by the WHRS. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/rl4004.jpg

Geoff Doane’s photo shows RLK 4004 being towed to Windsor Jct. http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?2008103117013023065.jpg

Here are some more photos of RLK 4004 at work on the WINDSOR & HANTSPORT: RLK 4004 is being prepared for its first departure from Windsor Junction 31 October 2008. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/4004.jpg RLK 4004 on its first trip on the WHRC approaches Windsor 31 October 2008. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/4004-1.jpg RLK 4004 on its first trip on the WHRC near St Croix 31 October 2008 - note condition of track - 10 mph maximum!! http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/4004-2.jpg

Geoff Doane (and Charles Jeffrey) clarified our report last month on the CB&CNS leased SD45-2’s going to scrap. CRO had indicated these units were retired in 2007, but apparently at least three of them (907, 910, and 914) were working on the trains between Stellarton and Port Hawkesbury until as late as May of this year. They were in pretty rough shape however, with road failures being all too common. On their last trip on CN train 407 from Truro, NS, to Moncton, NB, one of them was listed on the CN manifest as “running” and contributing 3600 HP to the train (they had all been dead and drained for months at this point). When CN power control, found this out, they were on the radio to 407’s conductor to have him shut down the unit right away for fuel conservation! As it was, they had a tough time with only the two big CN units, the GP38-2 from Truro, and a 10,000 ton train. Four ex-SD40-2’s leased a few months back from HELM are their replacements. The four are ex-BN SD40-2s, with three of them in Helm blue paint, and the fourth still sporting the BN green livery. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/1.htm

On November 8th HUDSON BAY RAILWAY (HBRY) SD50 5005 was released from NRE- Paducah, Kentucky to start its long voyage to The Pas. The unit is ex-UP 9835, UP 5002, nee-MP 5002. The photo by Clayton Chaloner shows CN 853 with units 2618, 6073, HBR 5000 http://www.railroadforums.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/57729 On November 3rd, HBRY GP40-2LW 4201 (which is leased from HELM) was spotted in fresh HBRY paint in Chicago, Illinois. Then , on November 14th, CN SD50F 5449 was seen trailing two UP SD40-2's heading towards St. Paul, MN from Chicago, and behind her was HBRY GP40-2LW 4201. UP interchanged the HBR 4201 to the CN in New Brighton and it went on train #406 to Stevens Pt. WI then back up to Superior on #403 and then onto Winnipeg. As of November 18th CN GP40-2LW’s 9452 and 9541 were off lease from the HBR and headed back south. A gorgeous photo of HBRY GP40-2LW 4201: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1377985

On November 23rd, CN train #420 running from The Pas MB to Canora SK had 4 dead units. They were on lease to the HBR for the Churchill grain rush. As the "new" SD50's continue to show up and the grain rush is done, the leasers are being sent home. KCS 2910, KCS 2915, KCS 2917, and HLCX 4205. Are all destined for East St. Louis, with the 3 KCS units going back to the KCS and the HLCX unit destined for Metro East Industries.

Southbound from Orangeville, Ontario the “Farewell to the 1000” train was led by OBRY Geep’s 4009-1000. At Snelgrove, the units were switched with 4009 remaining in the lead and 1000 coupled to the tail end. The train then continued to the end of OBRY trackage at MP 2.4 on the Owen Sound Spur, just south of Derry Rd. in Streetsville, at which point the train was stopped, reversed direction and OBRY GP9 1000 led the train from there back to Orangeville doing most of the work as the 4009 was isolated! OBRY 1000 was cut off on arrival in Orangeville yard then 4009 shoved the train onto the station track. 1000 will not expected to be used again and may end up being stored in Orangeville, due to the high cost of moving it to Utopia, Ontario. Here are three photos from Dan Dell’Unto: At McLaughlin north of Inglewood: http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z227/MrMoloko/?action=view¤t=IMG_8461.jpg

Inglewood break: http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z227/MrMoloko/?action=view¤t=OBRY3.jpg

Putting 1000 on the rear of the train at Snelgrove: http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z227/MrMoloko/?action=view¤t=IMG_8512es.jpg RAILTRUST EQUPMENT (RTEX - Monroe, GA), SW1200RS 8153 (Ex-CP), is being forwarded to HUDSON BAY MINING & SMELTING in Flin Flon, Manitoba. HBM&S also uses RTEX SW1200RS 8161 another ex-CP road switcher.

In November Leased LLPX GP40’s 3001 and 3002, are being shipped from the ST. LAWRENCE & ATLANTIC to PROGRESS RAIL in Murrieta, Kentucky. As well in November LLPX 3003 was moving from the SLR the PUGET SOUND & PACIFIC.

In November HLCX GP38 3876 is being returned to the USA from CODGEMA in Quebec to the lessor HELM. This is a result of ex-GTW GP38 4998 arriving at CODGEMA.

GMTX GP38-2 2680, which had been leased to the QUEBEC-GATINEAU Railway for several months, is now being returned to NRE in Paducah, Kentucky, for repairs.

PIONEER GRAIN has leased a blue and white GMTX GP15-1 410 (ex-NS 1438, nee-CR 1674) for their concrete grain elevator at Reed Lake, SK, (which is near Morse, SK), 74 miles west of Moose Jaw on the CP main line). On November 12th, the GP15-1 was in transit in the USA on CP’s (SOO) trackage and she arrived in Moose Jaw, SK on November 18th.

ONTARIO NORTHLAND “Santa Train” with 2101/ 206/ 841/ 857/ 855/ 854/ 2105 (P. Lalande). http://s152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/Brutus_231/Updates/?action=view¤t=SantaExpress01.jpg http://s152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/Brutus_231/Updates/?action=view¤t=SantaExpress02.jpg

The Final Edition of The OTTAWA CENTRAL RAILWAY “Spareboard" http://www.railways.incanada.net/spareboard/spareboard.html

THE BC RAIL STORY Part VII

By Claude Prutton and Mark Forseille 1990-1995

In 1993 BC Rail received the balance of their first order of Dash 8 40CM's from GE. & these were numbered 4623-4626. In 1995 the Co. took delivery of four more units from GE & these were Dash 9 44 CWL Locomotives numbered 4641-4644.

BCR 4623 on the shop tracks in Prince George, BC in August 1993 Photo by Mark Forseille

BCR 4625 Southbound at Exeter (100 Mile House) in September 1994 Photo by Mark Forseille

BCR 4626 Northbound at Fountain climbing uphill from Lillooet with an SP Tunnel-motor unit in September 1995 Photo by Mark Forseille

BCR 4643 Just weeks old on the BCR, she’s Southbound as a mid-train slave unit at Squamish, BC in April 1995. Photo by Mark Forseille.

While the Railway was no doubt overjoyed with their new modern power, this period in the company's history was a sad one for Rail Fans. All of the M630 & M630W's were traded to GE for the new power & left the property in 3 batches in June 1991. GE sold 22 of the units to Ferrocarriles Nacionales de Mexico. All have since been retired. GE kept two, one of which was renumbered 5000 & was used for a test bed for their new Super 7 series locomotives. The other, BCR 706 was eventually sold to Delaware Lackawanna & Western Railway. During the same period all of the Alco C425's were withdrawn from service . BCR 802-806 & 811 was sold to Genesee Valley Railway between 1990 & 1993. Most of the remainder had been involved in wrecks and/or scrapped for parts over the years. The following are pictures of these units taken during their final years of service.

BCR 0804 at Prince George on April 8th, 1991 caught by Claude Prutton.

BCR 0805 also at Prince George on April 8th 1991 by Claude Prutton.

BCR 0806 On July 23rd, 1992 Claude Prutton caught this unit up in Prince George, BC at the Diesel Shops

BCR 0720 on July 28th, 1990, while at Prince George, BC. Claude Prutton caught the 720 at the end of a long line of BC Rail’s Big Alco’s that would be shortly leaving the property headed for Mexico.

BCR 0715 on April 17th, 1991 while at Prince George, BC. Claude Prutton caught the 715 with five other sister units in a deadline. The 715 would end up in Delson, Quebec. The 702 along with other C-630’s (701 to 704) were all scrapped by GE.

BCR 0708 at Pemberton, BC on the Pusher set based here. Claude Prutton caught the 708 still painted in the old two tone green on August 28, 1990.

BCR 0723 also at Pemberton, BC on the pusher set. Claude Prutton caught one of the M630W’s on August 28th, 1990

BCR 0719, 743 and 6003 at Quesnel, BC. Claude Prutton’s last photo ever taken of a BC Rail Big Alco headed Northbound on August 17, 1991. Trailing the 719 is SD40-2 #743 and GF6C Electric unit #6003 heading back to Prince George from the Squamish shops.

In the November issue we mentioned that all of the RS18's were re-powered with Caterpillar engines starting with BCR 609 in 1990. During the next few years the remaining units were converted. These locomotives were wired to mate with Slugs. They could be seen in Yard service as well as on the Northern branch lines. The slugs were built at Squamish shops from retired RS3's in the mid 1980's. They were numbered S401-S410.

BCR 606 In April 1993, Mark Forseille caught this RS18Cat in Lillooet, BC

BCR 0608 On June 17th, 1992 Claude Prutton caught this unit by the shops in North Vancouver, BC

BCR 624 In August 1992, Mark Forseille caught the 624 in fresh paint switching the yard in North Vancouver, BC

BCR S-401 Claude Prutton caught the Slug 401 in Prince George on February 24th, 1993 out in the snow.

BCR S-406 In November 1993, Mark Forseille caught this slug sporting a different BC Rail font working the yard in North Vancouver, BC.

During the period 1990-1995 a significant number of existing units were re- painted into the red white & blue scheme. Included in this group were the M420's & the M420B's however their days were numbered & all would be gone within the next 5 years. BCR replaced them by once again going to the used locomotive market, this time with the acquisition of 4 & 6 axle GE models B36-7's & upgraded C30-7's (referred to as C30-7u or C36-8M) & yes you guess right, they changed the paint scheme again to an uninspiring dark blue.

BCR 762, 759, 749 & 750 A matched set of SD40-2’s at Pemberton, BC. It was quite common to see a set like this on the pusher set once the Big Alco’s left. Photo taken on July 15, 1991 by Claude Prutton.

BCR 643 M420W caught by Mark Forseille in August 1993 as she leads a train into the yard at Prince George, BC with the 684 and 645.

BCR 0682 M420B taken by Claude Prutton on February, 24th, 1994 out in the snow at the shops in Prince George, BC.

BCR 685 M420B sporting the Hockey Stick scheme, photo taken by Mark Forseille in Prince George, BC in August 1993

BCR 736 SD40-2 built as Kennecott Copper Corporation #101. Now repainted into BC Rail colors. Photo taken by Mark Forseille at Fraser Mills in Coquitlam, BC in July 1994.

BCR 0750 SD40-2 built as Oneida & Western or Shamrock Coal #9957 taken in Prince George, BC by Claude Prutton on February 24th, 1993.

BCR 0762 SD40-2 built for BC Rail by GMD in London in Sept 1980. Claude Prutton caught the 762 in Williams Lake, BC on July 28th, 1990. We will continue with photos of the B36-7’s and C36-8’s in the next part. CANADIAN RAILWAY HISTORY

The Alberta Railway Museum has acquired a former CPR Budd Car. Back on August 15th CP moved Railway Technology Exhibit Car CP # 91 (nee-CP RDC-2 Baggage-Coach Dayliner # 9108), which had been awaiting authorization to be scrapped, to their siding in Wetaskiwin, AB., on the Leduc Subdivision. Then on October 23rd Bill Wilson, General Manager of the Alberta Central Railway Museum, photographed the Dayliner, now with graffiti removed, broken windows replaced and restored to its original number, being moved by Mammoet Canada Western Ltd. by road on a 10-axle heavy-haul flatbed to its new home at the Museum east of Wetaskiwin. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9108.jpg http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9108-2.jpg

Jim Hall (Vice Chair Locomotive CNR 6167 Restoration Committee Board of Management, Guelph Civic Museum) took this image on November 6th, 2008 recording the restoration progress on CNR 4-8-4 6167 in Guelph, Ontario said next spring the boiler will be sandblasted and primed, new jackets will also be installed. (Froth) http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/6167.jpg

In November, a quote was submitted for the asbestos removal on CNR U-1-f 4-8-2 6069 in Sarnia, Ontario. If the Council does not support funding, this will end of any discussions on her restoration. The Council's support (or lack of support) will determine the future of the locomotive. Restoration funding can come later once the asbestos problems are out of the picture. If anyone has any tips or comments or would like to show their support to saving, rather than disposing of this locomotive, please send messages to [email protected] Keep in mind they are not seriously looking at scrapping her just yet but it has been mentioned and it is one of the options and we are actively educating the city in regards to her historical significance and importance. (Peter Whitfield-Froth)

In November, the ALBERTA 2005 CENTENNIAL RAILWAY MUSEUM in Beiseker, AB has changed their name to simply The BEISEKER RAILWAY MUSEUM.

For all of the latest news from the historical and preservation groups and railway museums in Canada, we invite you to visit the CRO MUSEUMS LIST on our website: http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/museums.htm

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

BNSF has donated retired BN SDP40 6327 to the MINNESOTA TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM. This unit was originally GREAT NORTHERN 325 and is going to be painted in the GN’s “Big Sky Blue livery” in the BNSF shop in Topeka, Kansas prior to shipping. http://www.greatnorthernempire.net/news/nucleus/plugins/print/print.php?itemid=42

Tim Organ was on the hunt surfing and found this “Canadian Content” at NRE-Silvis, IL: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=148076 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=148066 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=148393 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=180114 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=633781 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=784949 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1286766 And NRE- Dixmoor, IL: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1395654 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1021992 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=747722 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=781679 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=781682 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=956059 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1011509 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1045477 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1133948 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1137275 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1153067 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1153069 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1189455

When he is not writing the “Green Locomotive Roundup” column for CRO, Jody Moore has an actual day job as a technical writer and quality assurance inspector for Colorado Railcar Manufacturing of Fort Lupton, CO. One of his enjoyable duties is working as the delivery forwarder when their cars are shipped to the customer. Jody completed a recent trip on Oct. 16-29 to forward the brand-new Alaska Railroad domes (ARR 655 and 656), from Denver to Seattle, WA. The delivery took Jody north from Denver via BNSF through Cheyenne and Casper, WY to Laurel, MT, then west on Montana Rail Link through Helena and Missoula, MT to Spokane, WA. From there, he swung south on BNSF through Pasco (in his hometown area of Tri-Cities, WA) along the Columbia River to Vancouver, WA, and north to Seattle. From Seattle, the cars are being barged to Alaska. Aside from being very cold - the cars don't have generators, so he had to rough it somewhat, it was still a fairly routine delivery. Here's an assortment of photos from the trip for your enjoyment. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/j.htm

Some fans of the original SOUTHERN PACIFIC “Daylight” paint scheme my find this image a little off putting. In a new initiative to promote safety on the surf line, AMTRAK has repainted this F59PHI into this safety billboard paint scheme which clearly is an “interpretation” of the 1950’s SP passenger scheme. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/amtrak.jpg

Check out the fine looking rebuilt & repainted CENTRAL RAILROAD of INDIANA no. 5000 (A former CAPE BRETON & CENTRAL NOVA SCOTIA nee-BN GP50). http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1370311

D&H-The Bridge line

Back in the 1970's, the friendly DELAWARE and HUDSON would charge visitors $1.00 at the Colonie Shop’s Guard Shack, make you sign a release, and using prudence and common sense, you could walk anywhere on the property but not inside the shop, and you were not permitted to photograph any employees working. On September 13th, 1976 Jack D. Kuiphoff took advantage of this and caught nose to nose D&H PA1’s and a D&H lettered Alco C420 still painted in its former Lehigh Valley Cornell Red livery. A damn good deal for only $1.00! http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=164611&nseq=35

Gary Knapp’s D&H Part 1: This is the best fall color I have ever been privileged to witness here, at my favourite spot to watch trains above Lake Champlain's Willsboro Bay. On morning's such as this one, I'm grateful for the view alone, never mind the fact that CP Rail has scheduled two normally nocturnal freights to appear after sunrise! "The view" looks north here, the point of land jutting in from the right edge of the photo forms the mouth of the bay, and some forty miles beyond up the lake are seen Grand Isle and South Hero Islands on the Vermont side. The low lying hills on the horizon are up across the border into Quebec. Returning our gaze to the immediate area, the curving Willsboro Tunnel bores through the point of land ahead of us. Some advice to anyone wishing to hike in here in hopes of capturing this view, there exist several spots on the thirty minute plus hike in up the tracks where off the edge of the ballast is "air" for a hundred feet or more down onto rocks. Arriving here, "some" rock climbing skills are needed to get up and "more importantly" down from this spot safely. Down on the water in front of us adding depth and scale perspective to our grand scene this morning is a lake kayaker! Further confirming the fact that, yup, it's a long way down from here! Changing camera lenses brings a greater focus of attention …this is the worst place to drop something! I waited two hours for 250 to follow 252 here, and was rewarded with a (rare) attractive 9500-class leading! We have perfect lighting with the overhanging branch providing added color. And of course the lake kayaker in CP Rail locomotive red! I was on cloud nine as I had heard 250 blowing for crossings miles away up the lake! You soon clearly hear the choppy exhaust of the GE's pulling upgrade, then the squealing of wheel flanges signalling they are very close now. The exhaust is snuffed out as the locomotives enter into Willsboro Tunnel. Twenty seconds later they emerge pulling hard on our side in full sun! What a view! Riding on newly laid 136 lb. welded rail, the very clean CP 9523 comes around the curve and down the tangent past me and the kayaker at perhaps twenty MPH, the head end crew has spotted me as they pass by! North end regulars, I recognize their voices as they talk with the dispatcher later, but don't know their names. They deserve a print of this scene, for being here with 250, in arguably the finest spot to watch a train in the Northeast! http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/9523.jpg

Gary Knapp’s D&H Part II: On location atop "the perch" here before sunrise, (after several "wows!" from the two "newbies" with me) we offer appreciation to Jim Shaughnessy for discovering this location, where he photographed D&H PA's...... and RS-3's. This morning (May 7, 2008), we'll be happy to catch an NS powered Train 930. Now the great drama begins, it's very quiet here as you might imagine at 05:30, so all three of us had no trouble hearing the whistle, echoing down the lake. Exclamations are made, they're too early! Our admiration of the spectacular sunrise occurring above Vermont’s Green Mountains across the lake is over. We want sun! Minutes later, Mother Nature delivers, as the red ball starts to show. Now the light starts to change quickly as 930 draws nearer, we can hear the GE's chugging along and flange squeal, so they are close! With 930 whistling for the private crossing a mile or less to our north, the sound echoing endlessly, and the sun completely above the Green Mountain’s to our east. I live nearby and pretty much monitor this railroad, and do not get opportunities like this here but once or twice a year at sunrise! And here are Joe and Mike visiting for the first time! LOL! I return to metering the changing lighting and then the GE's exhaust is muffled as into Willsboro Tunnel they go, passing through the point of land sticking into the lake above us. Exiting the tunnel, to exclamations of "Blue! I see Conrail Blue!" The headnd power of Train #930 as she swings around the S-curve and down the tangent past three happy photographers! Two that don't know how lucky they are, and one that does! Shot on May 7,2008 at 05:53 with Canons' 5D, (ISO 400 1/400th) and Leicas! http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/8403.jpg

Letters:

William,

My name is Pete Lerro and I'm organizing a photo charter at the Conway Scenic Railroad. There will be a night photo session January 3rd and daytime charters on January 4th and 5th. If you or anyone you know who may be interested, please visit my site. http://www.lerroproductions.com/photocharters.html

Regards, Pete Lerro, Glenolden, PA

Dear Mr. Baird,

I note that in the paragraph about the SD45-2s you stated that they had been stored in 2007. In reality, these units were stored in May 2008, and arrived in Moncton for scrapping on October, 4th 2008. They will eventually end up at Tri-Province Metals.

Thanks for a great publication and keep up the good work!

Charles V. Jeffrey Stellarton, NS

The Last Word: A one-of-a-kind Royal Hudson?

Our thanks to Ray L. Kennedy who found this unbelievable colour photograph: A CPR 4-6-4 Royal Hudson painted in the black and gold trim freight service colours!

Scanned from a photo of slide taken in 1957 at Edmonton, some said it was simply a faded slide of a Royal Hudson with a Tuscan Red painted tender. However, if one looks closely, the Beaver emblem on the cab is proper red colour. Colour is in the jewels on the royal crown as well and the engineer's overalls are correct colour. So too is the brick on the building in the background. The steam locomotive does appear to be in freight service judging by her filthy appearance. We questioned many of our steam experts and no one had ever heard of a Royal Hudson in freight black, questions arose on whether the photo was real. If in fact it is black, why was this done? Could it be because at that time many of the non-streamlined Hudson’s were no longer in passenger service and were receiving the less expensive all black scheme, perhaps it was decided to re-paint the Royal Hudson in the freight livery as well? Could it be when it was at Ogden, that a Shop Manager decided to try a test paint scheme on a “Royal” that proved inconclusive? Jean L Mercier added in the early 1950's some of the western assigned coal burning Royal Hudson's like 2829, 2833, 2845, and 2847 were converted to (Bunker C) oil, and were repainted, and it is possible that one or more received the black and gold freight scheme, but he said he never actually saw one in person, and unfortunately the photos he has of these repaints are only black and white.

Then Ray Matthews chimed in: “Yes I remember the 2834 was painted all black with yellow tender striping near the end. I think there were one or two others but can't remember the numbers now. I don't know of any being painted in unlined black as they did with some G3 and G5 class 4-6-2s. FYI, the Winnipeg assigned H1c class 4-6-4s were 2829 to 2837 and 2843 to 2849 and all were converted to oil in the early 1950s. This work was done at Weston shops and one Fort William assigned engine, 2853 was done there around early 1955. As for the 4-8-4s, both were converted to oil sometime in 1956, but I believe they received tenders from scrapped T1a Selkirk’s. I think this was done at Ogden as I saw both the former coal tenders standing alone at Ogden in Aug. 1957. Not sure which 2-10-4’s the tenders came from, but I think I remember being told they came from 5906 and 5916. Can anyone verify this? Any photos I have of these two engines after that are black and white and I can't tell whether or not there were red panels on the tender. Sure wish I'd kept more detailed records back in those days. By the way, all of the Winnipeg assigned 4-6-4s and the 2853 kept their original tenders which were converted by adding an oil tank in place of the coal bunker, but not so with the two CPR 3100 Northern’s. Due to its historical significance, this rare CPR steam engine photo is certainly “very special”. Photo from Dr. Ames, collection of Dave Spiegleman. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2008/12/2834.jpg

THANK YOU: Guy-Pascal Arcouette, Guilio Capuano, Matt Carlson, Clayton Chaloner Bruce Chapman, Marc Chouinard, Colin Churcher, Paul Cordingley, Marc Daoust , Dan Dell’Unto, Charles De Jean, Geoff Doane, Bruce Douglas, R.A. Durfee, Pierre Fournier, Mark Forseille, Sean Graham-White, John Godfrey, Ken Goslett, Jim Hall, Ross Harrison, Donald Haskel, Cliff Holder, R. L. Kennedy, Branden Kilgore, Gary Knapp. Craig Konopski, , Luc Lanthier, Robert Lubinski, Pierre Lalande, Ken Lanovich, Cody law, Roman Litarchuk, Ray Mathews, Don McQueen’s “Froth”, Steven McKay, Bruce Mercer, Jean L. Mercier, Bill Miller, Jody Moore, Terry Muirhead, Jason Noe, Tim Organ, Daniel Osborne, Jim Parker, Donna Peters, Walter Pfefferle, Claude Prutton, John Read “GR17f”, Earl Roberts, John Soehner , Cor van Steenis, Richard Thompson, Jen-Francois Turcotte , Wilco van Schoonhoven, Bill Wilson, Ed Van Pelt, Joe Zika, Progressive Railroading, Branchline, BLHS, WCRA, Brandt Road-rail, CANAC, Railpower Technologies, the Canadian Trackside Guide, and others. Aussi, un grand merci a Denis, Guilio, Tony et Mohammed a St-Luc Diesel!

Submitting photos to CRO? We prefer if you upload your pictures to one of the many pictures hosting websites and then us send the link (Include Train #, date, location etc) to CRO at [email protected]. If you are really unable to do this and can't put your pictures online, you of course can send them directly to us in jpeg, as long the size is not exceeding 1Mb. Operation costs are graciously covered by Marc Chouinard's servers.

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