CANADIAN NATIONAL
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Following the delivery of CN SD70M-2’s 8955-8958 the first week of February, CN 8959-8964 were released from the London plant and interchanged from Goderich-Exeter (GEXR) and as of February 14th all had been delivered to CN.
Dan Braun photographed brand new CN SD70M-2 8959, CN 5772 and mid-train DPU CN 8910, pulling M342 to the Windy City and beyond. The 2-mile-plus train thru Neenah, WI February 8th of 188 cars (770 axles) stretched nearly 12,000 feet. (3.66 km for our metric readers).
Pierre Fournier clicked CN 305 on February 3rd with brand new CN SD70M-2 8958 leading the charge on the Drummundville Sub at St-Léonard, QC.
Henry Nye snapped these GE/GM builder stickers at Neenah, WI in February 2011: GE: CN 2301 Es44DC 2/2008 Sn 58285.
GM: CN 8944 Sd70M-2 11/2010 SN 20096294-030.
On February 15th the last of the ex-UP nee-CNW C40-8’s was released from the Centralia Paint Shop. CN 2109 still needs to be prepared for service, new headlights etc. George Redmond pointed out 2109 is one of only two that have AC on the roof, CN 2132 is the other. At press time 34 of the 35 (ex-UP nee-CNW) CN C40-8’s were all active, with only CN 2128 remaining unserviceable after an engine fire in October 2010.
Just days before on February 9th, George caught the previous C40-8, CN 2119 in her new paint, idling and being prepped for release from the CN engine facility in Centralia, IL.
Note the lettering differences between the Woodcrest (with thick numbers) and the Centralia Shop repaints (with slim numbers).
Canadian National’s proposed renumbering for the latest 40 ex-BNSF C40-8W’s acquired in January 2011, is as follows: BNSF 801-853 (odd #’s only) to CN 2162-2188 BNSF 854-864 (inclusive) to CN 2189-2199 BNSF 865, 866 to CN 2098, 2099
To summarize: In 2010 CN bought 35 former CNW C40-8’s retired by UP and numbered them CN 2100-2134. At the end of 2010, CN acquired a group of 27 BNSF C40-8W's, 800-852 (even #’s only); these were assigned CN 2135-2161. A second group 40 C40-8W's acquired from BNSF brought the total to 102 second-hand Dash-8’s in the CN 2100-series. The two additional C40-8W’s, formerly ATSF/BNSF 865 and 866, are freshly numbered CN 2098 and 2099.
With the C40-8’s now completed, we are now following the first of the ex-BNSF C40-8W’s entering service. As of mid-February, those painted and in service were CN 2141, 2144 and 2151. CN 2141 was painted at Woodcrest, and 2144 and 2151 tailored at Centralia. One of these, CN C40-8W 2141 was photographed by William Beecher Jr. at Fond du Lac, WI on February 23rd. This is the only cab interior image we’ve received showing this former BNSF GE Woodcrest prepared for CN duty.
Two of the newest arrivals ex-BNSF C40-8W`s 807 and 813 were at the CN Woodcrest Shop in mid- February and are destined for full repaint in the CN 2100-series. Still uniformed in BNSF paint and numbers with no CN patches, in late-February the pair moved to Kirk Yard, and have been shipped to NRE – Dixmoor for CN repaint and renumbering to CN 2165 and 2168 respectively. On February 25th Mike Garza spotted CN C40-8W 2148 fresh out of the Woodcrest paint shop with the thick style numbers. Unfortunately it was too far off for a shot. (CRO is seeking a photo from our readers of 2148 for the next issue). February 8th George Redmond caught C40-8W 2151 in fresh CN livery outside the Centralia Paint Shop and then again entering service on February 12th. Another ex-BNSF GE, CN 2144 was released from Centralia to Woodcrest on February 9th.
In what was a surprise to many, the week of February 14th CN Centralia Shop began painting a black CN “Noodles” on the sides, nose and rear of over a half dozen C40-8W’s. Several carefully patched renumbered locos have now entered service still in BNSF pumpkin paint! As of late-February, these C40-8W’s had received the newly applied CN lettering and were noted moving and in service: CN 2145, 2149, 2154, 2159, CN 2163, 2171 2175, 2188, 2189, 2193, 2196, and CN 2099* (2099* is the first of two units in this number series). George Redmond caught CN “Swoosh-Noodles” 2145 and 2189 February 22nd on CN A432, rolling SB through Centralia, IL.
Brandon Warnock caught CN 2149 “Noodle - Swoosh” in the rain February 21st. Engineer Dennis brings the A432 through Effingham IL with a pair of newly patched CN C40-8W's in their H2 BNSF colors. In early 2011, IC GP40R 3110 was released from the Woodcrest Paint Shop, and is seen in Wisconsin Rapids, WI on January 3oth where Bob Schoneman clicked her in new CN livery.
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll150/WC6634/IC3110Freshrepaint1-30-11Wrapidstitled.jpg In early February, CN C44-9W 2687 was in fresh paint and back in service for the first time in four years! On January 4th, 2007, CN 2687 was leading train #355 when it hit a rockslide near Lytton, BC, on the Ashcroft Sub. CN 2687 slid down the embankment and onto its side. Heavily damaged, it was lifted out and trucked to Lillooet, BC, and later moved to Edmonton, AB for evaluation. The trailing unit CN SD75-I 5693 also derailed, but remained upright on the track and sustained only minor damage. At press time, CRO had not clarified if CADRAIL-Lachine, QC, or the CN-Transcona Shop in Winnipeg, MB had done the major repair and repaint. Walter Pfefferle clicked IC SD70 1011 leading train 148 through Woodstock, Ontario on February 21st. This is one of several IC SD70’s recently upgraded with DPU equipment at Quality Rail.
On February 22nd CN Train M37321 had CN8917, 8004, and ADIX RS18u 1835 moving on the Kingston Sub. The following day, CN A42131 23, had CN 8963 CN 8961, CN 8829 and ADIX1835 departing Mac Yard with the MLW dead in tow. This RS18u is enroute to the Adirondack Scenic Railway and was acquired by a business subsidiary of ADIX. Originally CP Rail, this RS18u is former NBEC, ex-Chemin de Fer Charlevoix 1835. (Chris Wilson photos)
Chris Wilson also took this shot of ES44DC 2318 on February 22nd, on the Kingston Sub.
On February 23rd, Walter Pfefferle caught the first pair of freshly painted QGRY SD40-3’s (3326 & 3327) moving on CN M33291 (ex-Chicago Kirk Yard, IL enroute to Toronto MacMillan Yard, ON). The lashup was: CN 5698 2583 5269 QGRY 3327 3326. Photo was taken at Woodstock Ontario passing at about 25 mph, so not much time to get photos! (See CRO SHORTLINES “Quebec” section for more photos of the QGRY units taken in fresh paint at NRE in Paducah, Kentucky, and their destination information.
(See CRO SHORTLINES “Quebec” section for more photos of the QGRY units taken in fresh paint at NRE in Paducah, Kentucky, and their destination information. CN retired SD40-2W 5291 on November 4th, 2010, however it was only entered and updated into the CN system in February 2011. On February 10th former GTW GP9R 4625 was in transit at IHB Riverdale, IL with DLCX painted on the cab sides. Mark Lees & Co has again begun scrapping retired SD40-2 types at the Woodcrest Shop, and on February 15th were cutting up CN 5249, 5324, 5363, and IC 6111. Four other units were moved onto the Woodcrest scrap track on February 22nd: CN 5260, IC 6119, 6121, and 6129. CN C40-8 2113 wearing the CN 15-Year Anniversary logo leads train A431 on February 12th, heading northbound at Centralia, IL. (George Redmond)
As of mid-February, B&LE SD38-2 878 was still Bad Order and stored outside Woodcrest Shop with no repair work scheduled. In last month’s CRO we reported the Woodcrest Shop had released B&LE SD40T-3 904 following repairs and had returned it to service. Actually, there were three B&LE SD40T-3’s at the shop for upgrades and modifications, and not for repairs. When this locomotive model was built at EMD in the 1970’s, they were delivered to SP, SSW and D&RGW with ladder-type steps at the rear. The Woodcrest Shop has now replaced these with standard steps with a horizontal offset. In early 2011, CN assigned several B&LE 900-series SD40T-3‘s back to the DM&IR. Kent Rengo submitted this February 7th DMIR power line up with five of the B&LE SD40T-3’s: B&LE 900 in U-tac rotation paired with B&LE 909; B&LE 903 in T-Bird rotation and leading every other turn; B&LE 904 in Limestone rotation; B&LE 906 in the Two Harbors ore pool and leading every other trip. On January 6th, 2011, DM&IR 212 leads B&LE 900 and an IC unit around the curve at the south end of Proctor Yard (Minnesota) with a loaded ore train for Dock 6. The 2330 PRS crew picked up the train at the north end of the yard and weighed it before heading down the hill. This will most likely be the last run of the shift as they are running short on hours after a long, cold night. (Bryan J. Howell photo) .
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=355232&nseq=246 In a press release February 9th CN announced plans to invest C$1.7 billion in 2011 to maintain a safe and fluid railway network, to grow the business efficiently and to continue to provide customers with a high level of service. Approximately C$1 billion of CN's 2011 capital investment program will be targeted on track infrastructure to maintain safe railway operations and to improve the productivity and fluidity of its rail network. This includes replacement of rail, ties and other track materials and bridge improvements, as well as rail-line improvements on the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E) that CN acquired in 2009. The EJ&E was the "missing link" for CN in Chicago now connecting its five rail lines entering the city; full integration of the EJ&E will result in improved reliability and service. Equipment spending, which is intended to improve the quality of the fleet to meet customer requirements and includes the acquisition of new fuel-efficient locomotives as well as new freight cars, is targeted to reach approximately C$200 million in 2011. On February 7th, Wm. Beecher Jr. caught this line up of retired BCOL B39-8E’s, CN-IC SD40-2’s and new arrival GTW GP40u 6401 all behind the Woodcrest Shop. The bright spot on that day at Woodcrest was catching GTW painted SD40-2 5936 running and in active service.
Wm. Beecher Jr’s photo was taken aboard the helper engine as they wait on traffic up ahead to clear. With a pair of CN Dash 840C cowls, CN train A446 is shown blasting past to take on the hill at Hamilton, Wisconsin. A CSX SD50 and Gevo-combo is pounding out of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin with CN potash train B790, and after a wave at the CN Dash 9 “Helper” pushing on the tail end at Byron, WI, the action continued on the CN Waukesha Sub February 4th, 2011.
While at the CN Shops at Fond du Lac, WI on February 6th, Wm Beecher Jr. snapped visiting UP C40-8W 9297, adorned with her NS lease sticker.
George Redmond caught IC GP38-2 9608 and AMTK P40DC 837 expediting Amtrak train #58 through a blinding snow storm in Centralia, Illinois on January 20th.
Only days in service, on February 4th Train 385 had CN C40-8 2100 as the second unit. Since released from Centralia Shop at the end of January, during her three first weeks in service this class unit was seen frequently in Quebec and Ontario. (Chris Gertz)
CN SD75I #5700 is seen leading this all GM locomotive consist southbound on CN train A432 at Centralia, Il, on January 19th. (George Redmond)
http://georgeredmond.rrpicturearchives.net/pictures/38143/1192011%20017.JPG Every year in Centralia, Illinois for the October Fest celebrations, CN brings their E-Units, some passenger cars, and a freshly painted engine out of the Centralia Paint Shop, for public display. Showcased in October last year was the new CN 15-Years logo on C40-8 2124. Unfortunately the safety fencing does not enhance the appearance CN C40-8 2124 one bit! George Redmond also photographed the control stand - cab interior of CN 2124.
http://georgeredmond.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2289518
http://georgeredmond.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2289523 In January, John Reynolds took this shot of retired CN SW1200RS 1379 in the CN Walker Yard deadline in Edmonton, AB.
CN Vignettes:It is hard to believe that not one of these CN photos from September and October 1976 was taken in Canada! Douglas Leffler shot these in his home town of Jackson, Michigan when power short Conrail had leased a real mixed bag of units from CN. Conrail DC-1 is shown with CN GP35 4000, GP40 4010 and an M636 in October 1976. In September, CN GP35 4001 and GP40-2LW’s 9518 and 9511 are the foreign power in Jackson, MI.
Doug Wingfield caught this mishap at Hamilton Junction on April 1st 1967. CNR SW1200RS 1212 has split the switch and now tied up the CN Grimsby Sub to Niagara Falls and Fort Erie, Ontario, creating diversions over the CN Beach Sub until this was cleaned up.
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=354064&nseq=20
In August 1968, CN F7A 9074 was the unfortunate victim of a washout on the Three Hills Sub at Huxley, Alberta between Calgary and Mirror. An intense rainstorm lay waste to the roadbed which derailed three units and caused extensive damage to the train’s cargo and rolling stock. The boom of the Hanna auxiliary can be seen over the damaged F7A. (Doug Wingfield)
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=354220&nseq=32
© CRO March 2011 |
