Caption: Shop tracks at Spadina are filled with first generation motive power, including a pair of recently rebuilt CN RS18ms in their patched green and gold scheme. Six RS18s (3850, 3856, 3860, 3883, 3884, 3887) received Cummins head end power (HEP) units in their short hoods in addition to dual control stands during 1967 rebuilding for Tempo service in southern Ontario. The well known orange and white Tempo scheme and their new numbers would be applied late in the spring of 1968. CN 3883 became CN 3151 while CN 3860 became CN 3153. Both of these units would lose their HEP equipment in a fatal wreck at Woodbine on the Weston Sub in April 1969 requiring them to use baggage cars equipped with HEP equipment for their trains.

With Tempo coaches beginning to arrive during spring 1968, employees were given two round trip introductory runs on Sunday, June 9, 1968 between Toronto and London before service began on Monday, June 17. Tempo equipment would initially be assigned to trains 147/142 running Toronto – Windsor, and trains 151/150 running Toronto – Sarnia. Wednesday, July 10 would expand the equipment to Windsor trains 141/146. Power in the background includes GP9 4132, and GMD-1 1907 at right.

Also at Spadina, Dave Burroughs captured CN 3887 in this pre-Tempo stage during May 1968.

Original Photographer Unknown, Jacob Patterson Collection Slide.