Comments on: CN Dash8-40CM 2432 (GE 11-1992 #47129)was the third of 25 units in a follow-up order to 30 units received in early 1990. These units were the first GE’s added to the CN roster since the last of the 44 Ton units in 1956. GE lobbied hard to secure an order from CN but was not successful until after the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement was finalized in September 1988. Some of the units rode on the Dofasco 3 axle trucks that had been original equipment on the 2000 series MLW built C-630Ms dating from 1967. These MLW’s were notorious for their hard ride and this trait carried over to the GE’s. The GE’s largely bumped the MLW’s into retirement from their predominance on freights to Atlantic Canada. The trailing units are EF-640a 2424 and SD50F 5458. The 5458, a 3600hp unit equipped with the last version of GM’s 16-cylinder 645F engine was built in London, Ontario in 1987 and was retired by 2008. The 2400s are now being sidelined as newer units join the CN’s roster. Since January 2000, Basque has marked the starting point for directional running by the railways for 160 miles west to Mission/Matsqui with westbound trains on the CN line and eastbounds on the CP.

By: harricottbay

harricottbay — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 01:43:09 +0000

Beautiful shot! Based on the numbers of zebra stripes, these were massive beasts as compared to the NF110/210 units which wore only four per side!