Comments on: It happened again, this time due to a locked axle on the original leader, which was set off ‘somewhere up north’ according to the crew. Here as CN 2115 and BCOL 4617 are about of pass under hwy 48 in Mout Albert, they accelerate both after going in for 317 at Zephyr and in deference to the hard slog up the moraine set to begin momentarily. Within two miles they’d be down to about 1mph, exhaust screaming towards the heavens, though muted by the snowfall. Quite a show. 1352hrs.

By: Marcus Stevens

Marcus Stevens — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 19:14:46 +0000

Fantastic catch !

By: ngineered4u

ngineered4u — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 20:01:31 +0000

Hey Mike, yes thats true many of the later orders of SD75I’s and GE’s have lights and plows and earlier ones that do not have been retrofitted. The only units that we don’t get ditchlights or plows on are the C40-8M’s.
The ones you saw on the lakeshore were probably on train 332 as we had many empty outrack trains destined for Oshawa along that line.

By: Mike Lockwood

Mike Lockwood — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 19:32:18 +0000

Thanks for the info, Tim. I’ve heard crews complain over the radio about their power, but the comment about the stoicism on one of the other shots in this series pretty much sums up what I heard. Real professional crew… even though the hogger probably had a bit of a sore neck by Mac Yard.

ngineered4u, I recall some of the later deliveries of SD75I’s and C44-9W’s in the 2nd? order (2590 for sure) were delivered with full lighting and plows on the rear. Do not often see them being put to use, though. Only other time I can recall personally seeing one LHF was along the QEW west of the CNE, a solo C44-9W on a 403 or maybe 435.

By: ngineered4u

ngineered4u — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 03:31:48 +0000

The company’s policy is as long as it has ditch lights and a pilot it can lead. Is it fun to operate that way. Hell no!

By: Tim Stevens

Tim Stevens — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 02:07:16 +0000

Survey says….. the CN 8825 went tits up at Drocourt due to, you got it, a locked axle. I’m sure the crew was thrilled not only to get a 2100 leading, but to have it running LHF as well!