Comments on: The power for what would become CP 851 (CP 8626) rests next to what would become CN U702 (UP 7322) on McKellar Island in Thunder Bay. Both trains have recently been unloaded at Thunder Bay Terminals, with CP 850 having brought in coal loads, and CN U701 having brought in coke loads.

By: jknott86

jknott86 — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 12:46:46 +0000

@SD70 – thank you, that’s good to know. I’d just assumed it was heading to a mill somewhere.

By: SD70Dude

SD70Dude — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 04:23:37 +0000

It’s petroleum coke, which is the residue left over by one of the processes for converting bitumen or heavy crude into lighter oil. It may not be suitable for steelmaking as it contains relatively high levels of heavy metals and other impurities that are found in crude oil. But it can be burned as fuel, just like coal.

Western Canadian refineries also produce this stuff, and CN ships unit trains of it from Fort McMurray to Prince Rupert.

A significant amount is also used in chemical manufacturing, most notably it can be converted to Calcined Petroleum Coke, which is then used to make anodes for the aluminium smelting process.

By: jknott86

jknott86 — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 01:48:47 +0000

More info on them in the comments here from David Young. Only difference is, I know this left westbound as U702 (at least that’s the info I was given).

http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=34737

By: jknott86

jknott86 — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 01:38:54 +0000

This particular coke is used for steel making. The trains, which do not run regularly, originate somewhere in the US on Union Pacific, and CN brings them into Thunder Bay. They have a CP pilot for the final stretch into Thunder Bay Terminals.

By: Railfan99

Railfan99 — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 01:21:14 +0000

Coke loads as in Coco Cola? If so any idea where they originally came from like what state and/or province? Great photo James also btw, very nice power lineup!

By: jknott86

jknott86 — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 15:28:11 +0000

Thanks Curtis

By: Curtis Umbelina

Curtis Umbelina — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 03:00:41 +0000

Another fantastic photo man