Caption: Brand new VIA F40PH-2D 6406 and seasoned CN GP40-2LW 9420 handle a decently-sized train #72 eastbound at Burlington Station, crossing over Brant St. underpass to the east. The fresh-looking 6406 was barely a month old, newly minted at the GMD London plant as one of the first of VIA's new modern F40 passenger units.

CN 9420 was an interm solution before the arrival of the new VIA power: one of 30 GP40-2LW's CN had modified in late 1984 for passenger service as-needed on VIA, including the addition of steam generator blowdown controls for operation with a steam generator car. On top of that, units 9400-9449 had also been delivered new with higher-speed 76 mph gearing for fast freight/intermodal service, making them ideal for pitch-hitting in passenger service in the southern Ontario area.

6000 horsepower should be more than enough to get this passenger train over the road, and the exact same power came back the next day on a westbound with the 9420 leading! One has to wonder why the 9420 was needed, but perhaps the new 6406 was still being broken in, and a second unit was needed as protection power.

Bill McArthur photo, Dan Dell'Unto collection slide.