Comments on: EMD Tier 4 Demonstrators on CN EMDX 1605 and EMDX 1606 were in transit on CN M323 through Brantford this afternoon on their way to Winnipeg. In October of 2015, Progress Rail unveiled their Tier 4 version of the popular SD70Ace model. Demonstrator units began to arrive on Class 1 properties throughout 2016. Thus far only Union Pacific has committed to orders of the new model, but with the news of GE looking to sell their locomotive division in the news recently, one has to wonder whether we will be seeing more new EMD units appearing on CN as well.

By: ngineered4u

ngineered4u — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 01:31:22 +0000

CN has no units in storage anymore. When I left in July all units stored had been reactivated.

By: Joseph Bishop

Joseph Bishop — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 00:30:48 +0000

There is always the chance, some CN contacts have said that the EDMX Demo’s are supposed to test out West. But they could end up in Ontario at some point too.

CN has also been reactivating stored power since the spring. They’ve been pressing SD75i’s back into service. The ONR shops in North Bay have been aiding in making the reactivations go quicker.

By: Colm

Colm — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 00:22:45 +0000

Why wouldn’t CN bring their stored units back into service?

By: Colm

Colm — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 00:19:37 +0000

Any chance the EMD demo units come into Ontario?

By: Lukas Tyzuk

Lukas Tyzuk — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 22:25:12 +0000

And traffic is indeed up. CN is every bit as busy as the winter of 2013-2014, when oil prices were way up above $100/barrel.

By: Lukas Tyzuk

Lukas Tyzuk — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 22:22:40 +0000

One must remember that the many of the SD60F’s were worn out, and it was becoming hard to trust them with reliably getting trains over the road. The remaining SD60 and C40-8 fleets are not much better. No one was sad to see the 5500′s disappear.

The CREX ES44AC lease units have started showing up out west, and the two SD70ACe-T4 demonstrators are currently in Edmonton.

By: Joseph Bishop

Joseph Bishop — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 01:51:04 +0000

Word has it that traffic levels throughout the system are really up! CN probably didn’t help their case when they retired the SD60F’s this year too.

Phil, it sounds like there will be a mix of CREX, PRLX and GECX units for CN this winter.

By: ngineered4u

ngineered4u — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 23:57:51 +0000

Very unusual for CN to be leasing this many units at one time. I can’t remember many times in my 36 years at CN where we leased units. LMX GE’s yes and SD9′s from a railroad I can’t remember, but never this many units at one time. Interesting.

By: Joseph Bishop

Joseph Bishop — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 15:54:44 +0000

Photos all over the internet of CREX units moving in mass on CN to various yards with shop facilities to inspect and get the units CN operable.

By: Colm

Colm — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 00:02:54 +0000

Where did you hear about them leasing the ES44AC’s?