Comments on: CN ET44AC’s 3086 and 3088, factory fresh from Fort Worth, TX lead M398 through Brantford a few minutes before sundown

By: CNSD60F

CNSD60F — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 22:30:12 +0000

Joseph you saw it? Nice

And I have not seen a CN Cowl since early april, as for BC cowls that is different

By: Joseph Bishop

Joseph Bishop — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 19:14:10 +0000

Sure but those are units that are captive on those lines…go to the BLE, they have IC SD70′s. You want standard cabs…go for a road trip. I also shot that 435, it was trailing…whoot!

By: ngineered4u

ngineered4u — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 18:55:11 +0000

@CNSD60F..the IC units are equipped with all those things, so yes they can lead. That equiptment is not required on road switcher type units ie…GP9/38′s as those units rarely venture far from home in regular service.
Its still normal to see C40-8′s leading trains around If you really want to see cowl units i have lots of pictures of them..lol mostly roster shots though.

By: CNSD60F

CNSD60F — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 18:15:56 +0000

@ngineered4u I always thought it was required for locomotives to have microwave ovens and fridges to lead, engines without were permitted, apparently not
@Joseph bishop matters where you are, on the DMIR every taconite train is either pulled by a bunch of SD40 locos of any description or C40-8s. And out west all the transfers, locals and even some mainline freights are pulled by sd40s. But here on the halton it can get pretty rare, though I have managed to see CN 5379 on easter sunday (i know) on A435

By: Joseph Bishop

Joseph Bishop — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 03:54:24 +0000

Class 1′s might be your thing but pretty much every class 1 has just as many if not more GEVO’S than CN does.

The GTW was added at aldershot and had everything it needed to lead so it lead.

Though you’re pretty hard pressed to find a SD40 of any description on a CN mainline freight these days.

By: ngineered4u

ngineered4u — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 04:12:34 +0000

@CNSD60F IC units can lead in Canada as can GT units, as long as they have the proper safety devices ie..reset safety controls

By: CNSD60F

CNSD60F — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 03:04:46 +0000

@Joseph bishop Class III are not really my thing, Class Is are though, and how did a GTW get on the point? I would of LOVED to see that despite it not being a GP9R or SD40 :/ and IC LEADING? I thought they were not allowed to lead in Canada!

Despite the “GEVO parade” CN can still throw on quite the show, you can still spot BCOL units, SD75is roaring, IC units and even SD40-2/3s at times, make sure you know what trains have the potential to have these units and stay out for them!

By: cpcnguy

cpcnguy — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 18:45:22 +0000

@ngineered4u I’m a CN guy too, not cp (the name existed before my cn days) and I was referring to the air conditioning which makes life so much better at work LOL…Although I like having the GE’s that have trip optimizer, not that I ever use “auto-control”. But honestly as long as it isn’t extremely hot out, I could care less what kind of unit we get. Some are a lot noisier then others (the 2400 cowl units come to mind, 8000′s and early 8800′s as well) but you take what you can get! You can’t beat the sound of the old sd40′s or gp40′s though!

By: ngineered4u

ngineered4u — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 16:48:19 +0000

LOL@ cpcnguy…I am not a big GE fan at all. I am just happy to have the AC in the summer, but preferably on anything other than a GE. I know you guys at CP had air contitioning way before we did on our units. Lucky buggers

By: Joseph Bishop

Joseph Bishop — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 16:07:21 +0000

I suggest you start railfanning shortlines if you want first generation power..

Or just shoot CN 394 this morning with IC 1003 leading and L524 with GTW 5844 IC 1011 and CN 7058