Comments on: GP20c-eco locomotives CP 2211 and CP2292 with GP38-2 CP 7307 in the middle (formerly D&H, ex-Lehigh Valley) are southbound at Parkside Drive grade crossing in Waterdown. They are returning light after helping northbound train CP 142 uphill from Hamilton to Waterdown North. According to www.cpr.ca “Facts about CP in Hamilton” The grade to the north is the second steepest mountain grade on CP’s network (including the Rockies) and is six miles long from Hamilton to Waterdown.

By: Driver8666

Driver8666 — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 10:40:41 +0000

Thank you for that explanation.

By: jp4pix

jp4pix — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 12:59:38 +0000

DPU operation is good in that throttle and brake settings are automatically co-ordinated (subject to radio reception). But there are several reasons why these helper units are manned. The necessary electronics (Locotrol) are normally installed only in modern mainline freight locomotives, not road switchers. These pushers are only traveling about 10 miles out of Hamilton, then cutting off – a crew is required to couple onto the end of the train, uncouple beyond Waterdown, and to run the locomotives back to Hamilton.

By: Driver8666

Driver8666 — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 11:27:26 +0000

Are these units manned, or can they be used as distributed power units? Dumb question I know.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 00:30:51 +0000

They are a sight to see. Depends on how heavy they are pushing, but years ago they gave it all

http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=15354

http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=24452

By: Colm

Colm — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 00:19:38 +0000

Would be awesome to hear them screaming by on the tail end…