Comments on: Busy morning on the Coronado. These section fellows left first thing to do work west of Redwater. When busy at the air base, they will call 2 extra fuel trains in a week rather than just the one on Thursdays. So, on this Wednesday, a fuel train headed out at 9:30 (5578, 5587). At 10:30 a unit train with 30 loads goes home (4300, 9163, 4368). Then at 11:45 584 rolls east thru town with empty grain cars (5568, 5514). Following right behind 584 are the section guys. Coming home for lunch. They had their share of stick handling with 3 trains going by in the morning. Also, CN 16013, the last number is hard to make out, could be 3 or 5.

By: TMike

TMike — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 22:39:52 +0000

Yes its an Fairmont MT14. No seats-just wooden bench in the middle of the cab to sit on (just like the above picture) Mine also has a bit different corner windows and one piece doors (not a “bi-fold”) I would enjoy emailing with you. Mike

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:28:10 +0000

TMike,
To answer your inquiry about riding track motor cars in summer and winter conditions, I can personally attest to how awful it was on most occasions.
In the late 1970′s and well into the 1980′s track motor cars were still void of heaters and air conditioning. Occupants were lucky to have a ventilation fan to circulate air in the fiberglass enclosed cabins.
The introduction of enclosed cabs on track motor cars kept the occupants out of the elements, however, it magnified the ambient noise levels inside the enclosure.
The advent of hi-rail vehicles was a welcome upgrade for Engineering Dept. forces.
Having said all that, traveling in a track motor car for work purposes back in the day was a lot of fun.

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:11:44 +0000

Thanks for those kind words L. Parks.
I’m not so sure I can measure up as ‘the man of knowledge on everything track oriented’, but I will take credit for being (at one time) a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Engineering Work Equipment.
While I am still able to, I’m glad to provide specific detail information on MoW track machinery images that pop up from time-to-time on RP.
Wishing everyone a great day.

By: L. Parks

L. Parks — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:12:24 +0000

Perfect, after reading your comment, Paul O’Shell seemed like the source you needed to hear from. Our man of knowledge on everthing track oriented.
Thanks Paul.

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 03:16:11 +0000

TMike,
Would sure like to see a photo of your CN 173-51.
The CN running number suggests to me that it is a 4-6-man section track motor. My records suggest it is likely a Fairmont model MT14 car with an Onan 20hp CCKB gasoline engine, however, there were some Woodings Railcar track motor cars sprinkled in at that time, which could explain the cab height differences you mention.
The moderators have my permission to provide my personal email address should you wish to correspond.
Paul O’Shell

By: TMike

TMike — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:52:09 +0000

I am in posession of CN motorcar 173-51. Its very similar to this car but has a different roofline-it appears taller(perhaps to give more headroom) and has more head lights and red tailights installed .Big whip antenna and speaker are the same. These must have been awful in the cold of winter and the blazing heat of summer.

By: terry.oshell

terry.oshell — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 18:08:48 +0000

Nice. Great memories of riding the rails back in motorcar days.

By: Brundle

Brundle — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 00:43:00 +0000

Great big diesel units and 2 guys ride up there. The guys that swung hammers, pulled wrench’s all day and worked in dust, a zesty sardine can that rode like a lumber wagon.

By: Klaucker

Klaucker — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 23:33:01 +0000

So cool, and this type of railway equipment was often photo neglected in favour of prize mainline or even switching movements

By: Brundle

Brundle — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 01:41:21 +0000

Thanks for the all the great number info Paul. That is a large fleet of motor cars to take care of. It could not have been cheap to run and maintain, trucks were certainly the way to go.