Comments on: What next? Dept.: Back in those heady days of the mid-90s when CP was leasing everywhere and everything, this pair of VIA locomotives was the power for the Oakville Turn. We have VIA leased by CP running on CN. The train is pictured outside the Ford automotive yard just off Chartwell Rd. Power is 6453 and 6456.

By: RonaldB

RonaldB — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 03:51:24 +0000

To Pierre’s question, I don’t think CP gave those units any special consideration, beyond being 4 axles. They were given tonnage ratings the same as C-424s, RS-18s, GP38s etc. We often had GO units on weekends between Toronto & Windsor and they were in sets of 3 & given tonnage trains same as 3 freight locos. I don’t know how hard that was on the passenger units, but oddly, they seemed to be good pullers in spite of gearing.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:39:05 +0000

Pierre: I rather doubt there was all that much length or tonnage to these ‘transfers’. But still…….

By: pierre fournier

pierre fournier — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 11:52:00 +0000

Was the train very long?Passenger locos have hi speed axle gears,not very good to take off with a big load.

By: telus6429

telus6429 — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 04:06:43 +0000

First 4 cars were shipped from the Ford Engine Plant, and shiped via the Essex Terminal… Those exact cars are probably still being shipped back and forth between Windsor and Oakville to this day…

By: Ironhead

Ironhead — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 02:41:59 +0000

I don’t even know what to say about this, good lord.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 02:18:55 +0000

Yeah, Alex. I was rathre shokced to see this. Usually there was at least one freight engine in consist. Nice to see clean power for a change.

By: Alex181

Alex181 — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 01:27:14 +0000

That’s cool to see VIA engines on freight train!