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Caption: Heading eastbound on the Galt Sub, CP #50 with a trio of "pups" (SW1200RS units, today 8156, 8141 & 8123) pass by a small stream at Puslinch in this quaint winter scene. As per photos and information posted by others, the little SW1200RS units were regulars on this run, often in groups of 3-5 running "elephant style" to Toronto.
(I'm not sure on the exact location, but this looks to be shot from Concession Road 7 by the crossing. Perhaps one of the regulars can confirm?)
Reg Button photo, Dan Dell'Unto collection.
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Wow. I am stunned how reg made something from nothing – not the most inspiring location but this is perfect.
Yes that’s Concession Road 7 by the swamp crossing it looks like. Fantastic image!
It was a common practice to use these branchline units (pups and rockets) on weekends (days off for local jobs). More than one such dispatch was normal in various combos.
All such units were on a branchline maintenance schedule as opposed to normal mainline road units.
Unfortunately, longer runs with high tonnage meant increased maintenance. Internal complaints about this practice were ignored.
Eventually, the units were changed to a higher level of scheduled maintenance.
This combo was used on #50 (east pickup out of Quebec St Yard London) and the London Pickup (east pool train out of Toronto)for years. They were almost always run elephant style. Sometimes an RS-23 was used instead of one of the SW1200RSs.I only recall working one consist where the ’8000′ was in the lead. Often if you worked #50 down, you’d be called for the pickup on arrival as it was ordered but awaiting crew and power (that you just brought in.)The extra sets of 4 or 5 on weekends were also common as mentioned, they’d usually be turned at London so as to be back in Toronto in time for Monday morning local jobs.