Comments on: Leased unit CREX 1510 leads CN 368 as it passes under a signal gantry near Dorval Station as the train crosses from the north track to DX-1 track. Mid-train is CN 2903. http://www.railpictures.ca The BEST Canadian photos on the Internet, eh? Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:10:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Stephen C. Host http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=32637#comment-25786 Stephen C. Host Mon, 19 Mar 2018 22:38:31 +0000 http://www.railpictures.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DSC_3985.jpg#comment-25786 It's wise to discern that the reason we have little foreign leaders in Canada isn't regulation - it's CN and CP's Union contracts stemming from elimination of tail end conductor positions in Cabooses. Norfolk Southern trains in Canada with NS crews did not have any restrictions on what could lead - and in their case anything did lead. Same goes for their Fort Erie transfer that runs today. Crews have the right to refuse and the railway has to do their best to put their best leader forward - other issues including technological (Witronix?) come into play, as well as on some, DPU capability. In reality, the union has done a good job keeping this in their contract, but it could change some day and the floodgates may open. It’s wise to discern that the reason we have little foreign leaders in Canada isn’t regulation – it’s CN and CP’s Union contracts stemming from elimination of tail end conductor positions in Cabooses.

Norfolk Southern trains in Canada with NS crews did not have any restrictions on what could lead – and in their case anything did lead. Same goes for their Fort Erie transfer that runs today.

Crews have the right to refuse and the railway has to do their best to put their best leader forward – other issues including technological (Witronix?) come into play, as well as on some, DPU capability.

In reality, the union has done a good job keeping this in their contract, but it could change some day and the floodgates may open.

]]> By: mberry http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=32637#comment-25785 mberry Mon, 19 Mar 2018 22:33:19 +0000 http://www.railpictures.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DSC_3985.jpg#comment-25785 Only some UP units are good to lead in Canada afaik, generally UP GEVO's in the 5400-5500 range which you find on CP often (they seem to be on long term lease). You rarely see UP EMD's leading in Canada for example, I've only seen it on run-through CSX and NS trains in Montreal. Only some UP units are good to lead in Canada afaik, generally UP GEVO’s in the 5400-5500 range which you find on CP often (they seem to be on long term lease). You rarely see UP EMD’s leading in Canada for example, I’ve only seen it on run-through CSX and NS trains in Montreal.

]]> By: Stephen C. Host http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=32637#comment-25783 Stephen C. Host Mon, 19 Mar 2018 22:26:53 +0000 http://www.railpictures.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DSC_3985.jpg#comment-25783 If it's any indication, the group of CREX CURRENTLY on lease to CN were formerly leased to CSX short term. UP has a group as does BNSF in different number ranges. IMHO it's usually UP units that have abilities to lead in Canada, is it because UP has similar amenities to our Canadian railroads? - Steve If it’s any indication, the group of CREX CURRENTLY on lease to CN were formerly leased to CSX short term.

UP has a group as does BNSF in different number ranges.

IMHO it’s usually UP units that have abilities to lead in Canada, is it because UP has similar amenities to our Canadian railroads?

- Steve

]]> By: Joseph Bishop http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=32637#comment-25778 Joseph Bishop Mon, 19 Mar 2018 21:22:39 +0000 http://www.railpictures.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DSC_3985.jpg#comment-25778 They spent some time at Symington before entering service. Word was for outfitting to lead. So that would make sense. They spent some time at Symington before entering service. Word was for outfitting to lead. So that would make sense.

]]> By: ngineered4u http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=32637#comment-25758 ngineered4u Mon, 19 Mar 2018 15:03:45 +0000 http://www.railpictures.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DSC_3985.jpg#comment-25758 As long as the leased unit is equipped with the proper equipment ie ,stretcher, flagging can, medical kit, crew pack, then they can lead. I can only assume they have been outfitted with microwaves too. As long as the leased unit is equipped with the proper equipment ie ,stretcher, flagging can, medical kit, crew pack, then they can lead. I can only assume they have been outfitted with microwaves too.

]]> By: mberry http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=32637#comment-25754 mberry Mon, 19 Mar 2018 12:13:30 +0000 http://www.railpictures.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DSC_3985.jpg#comment-25754 Very common, these leasers are set up to lead in Canada. Very common, these leasers are set up to lead in Canada.

]]> By: BradKetchen http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=32637#comment-25751 BradKetchen Mon, 19 Mar 2018 11:46:17 +0000 http://www.railpictures.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DSC_3985.jpg#comment-25751 Interesting CN would put a leaser on the point. Interesting CN would put a leaser on the point.

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