Comments on: If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have believed it… Southern Ontario Railway used RLHH SD40-2 3404 as one of two units on 496 to switch Ingenia today. Has there ever been a six-axle unit on the Burford Spur or the TH&B in Brantford before? In the photo the conductor is seen getting back on board RLK 4057 after protecting the crossing of Clarence Street/Colborne Street.

By: rsmith

rsmith — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 13:57:16 +0000

You’re right Brad. The CN GP9rm derailed on the private crossing in the middle of the “S” curve beside Clarence Street South. It was winter and the crossing flanges were packed with ice, causing the wheels to lift up and derail.

By: BradKetchen

BradKetchen — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 13:04:23 +0000

I remember seeing a photo up here of the CN GP9m on the ground right at that curve you speak of.

By: Joseph Bishop

Joseph Bishop — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 03:31:11 +0000

Definitely a huge risk, when I was driving home on Wednesday (on Clarence) I was looking at the curves the line makes and was thinking that the 6 axle was lucky not to have ended up on the ground…

By: RLK2211

RLK2211 — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 03:22:43 +0000

I think they took a huge risk running that 6-axle down there….but certainly makes for interesting conversation!

By: rsmith

rsmith — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 01:04:40 +0000

There you go, I learned something. What is obvious to some may not be obvious to all. Thanks again.

By: RLK2211

RLK2211 — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 00:31:40 +0000

Well the head light does in a way, because the headlight switch would be set to Single or Intermediate as it is here…..technically it could be left as such if MU’d, but most guys would flip the headlight switch to Controlling unit when Multipled. Just saying!

But the lack of jumper cable is the key missing item.

By: rsmith

rsmith — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 00:16:16 +0000

Thank you for the explanation… I don’t think the headlight has anything to do with it, but you’re right about the MU cable. They used the SD for switching the plant, otherwise it was just along for the ride to/from Ingenia.

By: RLK2211

RLK2211 — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 23:31:48 +0000

And I didn’t say it wasn’t running, just not online.

By: RLK2211

RLK2211 — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 23:30:03 +0000

The first clue, is the rear headlight on 4057 is on.

The second clue, look close…..there’s no jumper cable connecting 4057 and 3404. Both the MU and the dummy plug flaps are closed.

By: rsmith

rsmith — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 23:48:14 +0000

RLK2211, how can you tell a locomotive is not running just by seeing the front 1/3 of it in a photograph?