Railpictures.ca - D W Clark, John Eull collection Photo: I have the impression that CP’s 20 Trainmasters were the “units that never quite fit in” to CP’s 1950s and 1960s roster. Built in 1956, the 8901 was originally equipped with steam generators for passenger service and ran long hood forward. By the late 1960s, it was one of several H-24-66 units demoted to yard and transfer service at locations across the system including Toronto and Montreal. Some ended their days in hump service at Alyth. I have seen several photos of the 8901 in the Montreal area in 1968, 1969 and 1970–perhaps another one of our members and comment on how long Trainmasters were in Montreal and which assignments. (I would guess transfers to Hochelaga and the Port of Montreal but that’s my speculation.) | Railpictures.ca – Canadian Railway Photography

I have the impression that CP's 20 Trainmasters were the "units that never quite fit in" to CP's 1950s and 1960s roster. Built in 1956, the 8901 was originally equipped with steam generators for passenger service and ran long hood forward. By the late 1960s, it was one of several H-24-66 units demoted to yard and transfer service at locations across the system including Toronto and Montreal. Some ended their days in hump service at Alyth. I have seen several photos of the 8901 in the Montreal area in 1968, 1969 and 1970--perhaps another one of our members and comment on how long Trainmasters were in Montreal and which assignments. (I would guess transfers to Hochelaga and the Port of Montreal but that's my speculation.)

Caption: I have the impression that CP's 20 Trainmasters were the "units that never quite fit in" to CP's 1950s and 1960s roster. Built in 1956, the 8901 was originally equipped with steam generators for passenger service and ran long hood forward. By the late 1960s, it was one of several H-24-66 units demoted to yard and transfer service at locations across the system including Toronto and Montreal. Some ended their days in hump service at Alyth. I have seen several photos of the 8901 in the Montreal area in 1968, 1969 and 1970--perhaps another one of our members and comment on how long Trainmasters were in Montreal and which assignments. (I would guess transfers to Hochelaga and the Port of Montreal but that's my speculation.)

Photographer:	D W Clark, John Eull collection [74] (more) (contact)
Date:	01/ /1970 (search)
Railway:	Canadian Pacific (search)
Reporting Marks:	CP 8901 (search)
Train Symbol:	n/a (search)
Subdivision/SNS:	St. Luc Diesel Shop (search)
City/Town:	Cote St. Luc (search)
Province:	Quebec (search)
Share Link:	http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=57343

Click here to Log-in or Register and add your vote.


14 Favourites	Photographers like Gold.Log-in or Register to show appreciation
View count:	3029 Views

Share this image on Facebook, Twitter or email using the icons below
Photo ID: 56018

Sorry, there is no map for this photo. Photographer did not add GPS co-ordinates. Please add next time or ask for a correction to this photo.

All comments must be positive in nature and abide by site rules. Anything else may be removed without warning.

One Comment

MrDan

August 21, 2026 at 10:28 am

Not sure on the Montreal area assignments, but according to a May 1970 CP power distribution summary, 8901 and 8917 were assigned St. Luc, 8903-8909 to Alyth, and the trio of 8900, 8904-8905 assigned to Nelson. A lot of the others had already been retired by then (see: https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php?title=Canadian_Pacific_Railway_8900-8920)

Both 8901 and 8917 were retired in April 1972 and cut up at Angus Shops, that was likely the end of TM’s operating in Montreal. The trio from Nelson that migrated to Alyth Yard ended up being the final units in service, lasting until 1975. In the 60′s Toronto had a pair assigned to Lambton Yard for transfer duties (photos show 8909, 17, 18, 19 assigned there at various times, in 1965 it was 8917-18). I suspect 8921 replaced them as the regular transfer engine around town at some point.

Cancel reply

To comment you must log in. Not a member? Click here to register

MrDan

August 21, 2026 at 10:28 am

Not sure on the Montreal area assignments, but according to a May 1970 CP power distribution summary, 8901 and 8917 were assigned St. Luc, 8903-8909 to Alyth, and the trio of 8900, 8904-8905 assigned to Nelson. A lot of the others had already been retired by then (see: https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php?title=Canadian_Pacific_Railway_8900-8920)

Both 8901 and 8917 were retired in April 1972 and cut up at Angus Shops, that was likely the end of TM’s operating in Montreal. The trio from Nelson that migrated to Alyth Yard ended up being the final units in service, lasting until 1975. In the 60′s Toronto had a pair assigned to Lambton Yard for transfer duties (photos show 8909, 17, 18, 19 assigned there at various times, in 1965 it was 8917-18). I suspect 8921 replaced them as the regular transfer engine around town at some point.