Comments on: As I creep towards photo #1000 I offer a CN shot since I haven’t posted one in a while. Here’s Guelph Junction – not the CP one – this is CN – I think it was called “Guelph Junction Wellington”. This building has certainly been developed taking the area’s name to heart. CN L540 is pictured after working Guelph Twine and coming off what was once the wye to the Fergus subdivision north of town. The motive power was worth a visit, not only is this a non RCLS GP40-2W, 9675 was a former GO unit (#708) and there’s a lil green paint coming through the CN (most notably above the Cndr window). Not many photos of 708 leading on this site – here’s the only one I could find Here by Peter Newman. What are the main spotting differences between these and regular CN 40′s? http://www.railpictures.ca The BEST Canadian photos on the Internet, eh? Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:13:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Stephen C. Host http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=39978#comment-36939 Stephen C. Host Sat, 11 Jan 2020 14:48:09 +0000 http://www.railpictures.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RPCA_GO_CN_STRSCH_4112.jpg#comment-36939 Thank you for the explanations all. Thank you for the explanations all.

]]> By: MrDan http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=39978#comment-36936 MrDan Sat, 11 Jan 2020 10:41:03 +0000 http://www.railpictures.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RPCA_GO_CN_STRSCH_4112.jpg#comment-36936 It's important to note that the "W" was a railfan addition and not an official GMD designation (there was no official special GMD designation for those Canadian Safety Cab units) but it does add clarity to the models. That said: CN 9400-9632 = model GP40-2L(W), that used a special frame (hence the L) with taller frame members, so appear to sit higher. They also have the standard large 3000 gal. fuel tank. CN 9633-9667 (bought new), and 9668-9678 (ex-GO) = GP40-2(W), built with the standard GP40-2 frame but smaller 2300 gal. fuel tanks. A few articles state that the Canadian Safety Cab added extra weight to the GP40-2 design, so in order to keep the fully-loaded unit weight down around 263k lbs (and presumably keep the same fuel capacity) a lighter-weight frame was used that featured taller frame members. The GO units and later CN units had standard frames, but had smaller fuel tanks so the weight was still kept down. It’s important to note that the “W” was a railfan addition and not an official GMD designation (there was no official special GMD designation for those Canadian Safety Cab units) but it does add clarity to the models. That said:

CN 9400-9632 = model GP40-2L(W), that used a special frame (hence the L) with taller frame members, so appear to sit higher. They also have the standard large 3000 gal. fuel tank.

CN 9633-9667 (bought new), and 9668-9678 (ex-GO) = GP40-2(W), built with the standard GP40-2 frame but smaller 2300 gal. fuel tanks.

A few articles state that the Canadian Safety Cab added extra weight to the GP40-2 design, so in order to keep the fully-loaded unit weight down around 263k lbs (and presumably keep the same fuel capacity) a lighter-weight frame was used that featured taller frame members. The GO units and later CN units had standard frames, but had smaller fuel tanks so the weight was still kept down.

]]> By: rsmith http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=39978#comment-36891 rsmith Wed, 08 Jan 2020 19:42:53 +0000 http://www.railpictures.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RPCA_GO_CN_STRSCH_4112.jpg#comment-36891 They're lower than the original CN GP40-2Ws also... if I recall correctly I think it's because they have a lighter / thinner frame. Mr. Mercer can confirm (if he sees this). They’re lower than the original CN GP40-2Ws also… if I recall correctly I think it’s because they have a lighter / thinner frame. Mr. Mercer can confirm (if he sees this).

]]> By: RLK2211 http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=39978#comment-36886 RLK2211 Wed, 08 Jan 2020 04:50:32 +0000 http://www.railpictures.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RPCA_GO_CN_STRSCH_4112.jpg#comment-36886 Class lights and dual beam headlight on the back (longhood end) Class lights and dual beam headlight on the back (longhood end)

]]> By: Marcus Stevens http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=39978#comment-36884 Marcus Stevens Wed, 08 Jan 2020 04:31:22 +0000 http://www.railpictures.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RPCA_GO_CN_STRSCH_4112.jpg#comment-36884 The class light housings are raised on the front of the he ex GO units and I believe they have dual rear headlights versus single on CN units. The class light housings are raised on the front of the he ex GO units and I believe they have dual rear headlights versus single on CN units.

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