Caption: An unlikely pair to be working together, CP Rail RS3 8446 and GP9u 1512 are seen switching the west end of CP's Winnipeg Yard near McPhillips Street. 1512 was the newcomer, rebuilt from GP9 8510 at Ogden Shops in the Summer of 1980, one of the few early rebuilds equipped with a rear sandbox hood extension (the only unit with the full height one)Visible in the background is Empire Iron Works at 1001 Jarvis Ave.

At the time CP was phasing out its 244-powered fleet (the FA/FB's were all retired in the mid-70's purge, some RS3 and RS10 units running out their final miles), but the chop-nosed RS3 units were a quick and easy solution for larger yard and hump power, something a little bigger than the MLW and GMD switcher units CP traditionally employed.

Starting in 1976 and continuing until 1980, about 19 RS3 units (and one RS10) received chop noses for better visibility at St. Luc and Weston Shops (the long hoods remained the front however). They were used in Winnipeg and Montreal yard service, and eventually replaced with rebuilt GP7u and GP9u units in the early 80's. 8446 was the last unit done and got its chop at Weston Shops in January 1980. The mechanical department had issued orders to retire and scrap any remaining 244-powered units whose repair cost exceeded a specific amount. A handful of RS3's remained around in January 1982, but the last ones were retired in March 1983. CP's final RS2 units were the US-assigned RS2's 8400-8404, most retired in September 1983. CP's final active 244-powered units were 8570 and 8577, used in Montreal commuter service, retiring in 1984.

Bill Grandin photo, Dan Dell'Unto collection negative.