CN GE ES44AC locomotives:

Designated as locomotive Class EF-644o, the CN ES44AC’s are making a big impact on the railway. Brand new CN ES44AC 2859, 2860 and 2861 were delivered into Canada by NS train 369 December 14th and were moved to Toronto on the 15th. Earlier in the month CN 2855, 2856, 2857 and 2858 arrived in Toronto. CN 2835-2854 are currently in service operating out of Edmonton. AB and out of Winnipeg. MB. CN crews like the 2800-series pulling ability, overall power, and the improved stopping with the dynamic brake application.

Kim Kafura snapped new CN ES44AC 2846, pausing just south of the Neenah, WI yard while awaiting a signal on December 7th, leading M347.

CN’s previous ES44AC order (CN 2800-2834), are all in service, and assigned to trains operating in the west. These are the first AC locomotives on the Canadian National roster.

CN Dash 8-40C / C40-8W STATUS:

With the SD60 5400-series now almost complete at Centralia, IL, the first of the ex-CREX Dash 8 40C’s were moved to the storage lines near the old IC coal tower in December. The first of the group to be worked is CN 2028. To date, the only C40-8 from the CREX 9023-9064 series to adorn the CN uniform is CN 2034, which was repainted at Quality Rail last summer (July 19th, 2013), and has been service ever since.

The 42 C40-8’s (4000 hp) will be numbered CN 2000-2041. These are ex-UP same numbers, nee-CNW 8501-8542, and the second group of ex-UP, nee-CNW Dash 8’s that CN has purchased. These are to be painted, and then completed at either Centralia Shop, Metro East Industries (MEI) in East St. Louis, IL, or at Quality Rail in Madison, IL. These CREX C40-8’s were constructed at GE - Erie, PA in 1989, as CNW 8501-8530, and as CNW 8531-8542 during 1990. When Union Pacific acquired the Chicago & North Western Railroad, they got numbered UP 9023-9064, but not in sequence. When retired by UP during 2008 and 2009, they were sold to Citicorp Railmark and retained their UP livery and road number, with CREX on the cab sides. Prior to being purchased by CN last year, these had been leased to CSX.

Compiled below are the most recent ex-CREX, the earlier ex-UP Dash 8-40C’s, and the ex-BNSF C40-8W’s arranged by locomotive model, and their assigned CN number. (Our thanks to Earl Roberts for his help)

Painted and in Service:

CN 2034 (Completed at Quality Rail July 19th, 2013),

Dash 8-40C:

C40-8W:

CN (ex-GMTX/ex-EMDX) SD60 STATUS:

All 43 second-hand EMD SD60 (3,800 hp) locomotives that CN acquired from GMTX last year have been repainted, upgraded to CN specifications, and are all in service. As well, 38 units from the 2nd group of 47 EMDX Oakway’s have been painted at Centralia, IL, and in service.

During December, Oakway liveried CN 5450 and 5468, were moved 90 miles away to Quality Rail for contract CN repaint. With the SD60 series nearing completion at Centralia, IL, the first of the ex-CREX Dash 8 40C’s were moved to the storage lines near the old IC coal tower. The first of this group to be worked on is CN 2028.

Painted and in Service:

CN 5400-5442 inclusive, (A total of 43 units from the 1st group of ex-GMTX SD6o’s).

CN 5443, 5444, 5445, 5447, 5448, 5449, 5452, 5454, 5456, 5457, 5458, 5459, 5460, 5461, 5462, 5463, 5465, 5466, 5467, 5469, 5470, 5472, 5473, 5474, 5475, 5476, 5477, 5478, 5479, 5480, 5481, 5482, 5483, 5484, 5485, 5486, 5488 and 5489. (A total of 38 units from the 2nd group of ex-EMDX SD60’s).

On December 10th, George Redmond was first to catch CN 5489 in new paint at the CN engine facility at Centralia, IL.

Then, on December 17th, George bagged CN 5462 in new paint at the CN at Centralia, IL.

CN 5469 and 5477 are seen in new paint, standing by the old ICRR coal chute at Centralia, IL on December 18th.

On December 20th George bagged CN 5454 in new paint at the CN engine facility at Centralia, IL.

On December 23rd, Mark Mautner clicked CN SD60 5489 (ex-Oakway/EMDX 9098) at Madison, IL on TRRA.

CN 5460 was realeased and is seen December 27th ready to go at the CN engine facility at Centralia, IL.

Compiled below are the 90 EMD SD60’s added to the CN roster, 47 EMD SD60’s from the second group (EMDX 9000-series), along with the previous 43 ex-GMTX units.

CN  (ex-Oakway) SD60 Roster:

Notes:

• Providence & Worcester leased two of the SD60’s, GMTX 9014 and 9059.
• Six SD60’s GMTX 9016, 9044, 9061, 9067, 9082 and 9094 are leased to NYSW.
• Oakway SD60 9041 was wrecked during the 1980’s while on lease to BN. The locomotive was replaced with (Electro Motive Diesel Division) SD60 Demonstrator EMDX #3.
• Oakway SD60 9062 was wrecked and scrapped in the 1990’s.

CN SW1200RS 1394 has been retired, This was the only retirement in last three months.

Disposition of CN Retired Locomotives:

Below are the locomotives being disposed of by CN and are compiled by railroad and loco number: and includes the model, and the year Built/Rebuilt, status if sold, and last known CN location.

CN 202 YBU-4
CN 207 YBU-4
CN 211 GP9 SLUG
CN 217 GP9 SLUG
CN 233 SLUG 1987 Transcona
CN 251 SLUG Edmonton Sold to New Brunswick Southern (NBSR)
CN264 SLUG 1966 Symington
CN 266 SLUG 1966 Vancouver
CN 269 SLUG 1966 Symington Sold to New Brunswick Southern (NBSR)
CN 271 SLUG 1993 Edmonton
CN 272 SLUG Prince George, BC, SCRAPPED September 2013
CN 275 SLUG 1993 Melville, SK.
CN 501 SLUG 1978 Symington Sold to New Brunswick Southern (NBSR)
CN 508 SLUG 1978 Edmonton Sold to New Brunswick Southern (NBSR)
CN 1379 SW1200RS 1960 Edmonton
CN 1375 SW1200RS 1960 Woodcrest
CN SW1200RS 1394
CN 1402 GMD1u
CN 1406 GMD1u 1989 Edmonton
CN 1407 GMD1u 1989 SOLD to WRIX Edmonton
CN 1415 GMD1u 1989 SOLD to WRIX Markham Yard
CN 1418 GMD1u 1989 SOLD to WRIX Markham Yard
CN 7007 GP9RM SOLD TO MVPX Markham Yard
CN 7018 GP9RM 1985 Symington
CN 7041 GP9RM 1988 Symington
CN 7045 GP9RM 1992 Transcona
CN 7051 GP9RM 1990 Transcona
CN 7064 GP9RM 1988 Prince George SCRAPPED September 2013
CN 7076 GP9RM Markham Yard SOLD to IBCX
CN 7207 GP9RM 1985 Edmonton
CN 7210 GP9RM 1985 SOLD to Pennsylvania Northeastern November 2013
CN 7211 GP9RM 1985 Symington
CN 7216 GP9RM Markham Yard SOLD to WRIX
CN 7218 GP9RM 1986 Transcona
CN 7225 GP9RM Markham Yard SOLD to IBCX
CN 7235 GP9RM 1987 Edmonton
CN7236 GP9RM 1987 Symington
CN 7244 GP9RM 1988 Prince George SCRAPPED September 2013
CN 7249 GP9RM 1990 Edmonton
CN 7259 GP9RM 1960 Transcona
CN 7262 GP9RM 1990 Symington
CN 7300 SW1200RM
CN 7304 SW1200RM
GTW 4618 GP9RB 1989 Markham Yard SOLD TO IBCX
IC 1477 SW14 1980 (scrapped at Woodcrest)
IC 1484 SW14 1980 (scrapped at Woodcrest)
IC 1490 SW14 1980 (scrapped at Woodcrest)
IC 1491 SW14 1980 (scrapped at Woodcrest)
IC SW14 1495 1980
IC 1496 SW14 1980 (scrapped at Woodcrest)
IC 1498 SW14 1980 (scrapped at Woodcrest)
IC 1500 SW14 1980 (scrapped at Woodcrest)
IC 1501 SW14 1980 (scrapped at Woodcrest)
IC 1505 SW14 1980 (scrapped at Woodcrest)
IC 1507 SW14 1980 (scrapped at Woodcrest)
IC 1509 SW14 1980 (scrapped at Woodcrest)
IC 1511 SW14 1980 (scrapped at Woodcrest)
WC 1560 SW1500 1970 Woodcrest.
WC 3010 GP40
WC 3021 GP40

GET NOTICED … With a “BANNER”! Contact us:
editor@canadianrailwayobservations.com

While it would appear that this CN locomotive simulator has been donated to the CRHA Exporail, unfortunately that is not the case, but it is for sale! Michael Berry clicked the “CN 9633” simulator on a flatcar at the museum in St-Constant/Delson, QC on December 8th. (See link below photo).

CN SIMULATOR FOR SALE: http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-art-collectibles-Locomotive-Simulator-W0QQAdIdZ536385717

Again this season, CN ran their traditional Santa Train December 7th and 8th. On Saturday, the train ran under sunny skies but very cold temps. Paul Burgess kindly submitted these two shots taken near, (and at), Melvin, IL, on the ex-IC Gilman Line. IC E9A 101 led the train north while CN SD60 5444 did the honors on the return trip south. The photo shows CN 5444 northbound in trail mode on the train's markers approaching Melvin, whose elevators are visible in the distance. Note the access steps! CN placed them at each scheduled stop for visitors and employees families to get a tour of the cab and a visit with Santa. The depot is an Illinois Central standard "Class B" dating from the early 1940's which was once common in rural towns on the IC but is now quite rare. This is the only one left on this line.

Kenneth Borg again caught the CN-GTW Santa Train moving westbound at Scott Lake Road in Waterford, MI after a snow storm on December 15th.

BNSF power on CN continues to be the hot railfan topic in both Toronto and Montreal these days. Michael Berry photographed this great lashup with CN 2098, BNSF 9661, and BNSF 5092 leading loaded crude oil train CN 710 through Montreal, before stopping for a crew change at Turcot West. The train originated two days earlier in the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota. All three engines were BNSF owned at one point, CN C40-8W 2098 was originally ATSF 865, then BNSF 865. BNSF 9661 began life as BN 9661 and is still in its original paint scheme, though BNSF stenciling has been added. These new CN oil trains have fast become railfan favourites in Ontario and Quebec.

Check out the surprise leader Michael Berry snapped on the same new Crude oil train!. One of the only times a CP AC4400CW has led a CN train on the CN Montreal Sub! CP 9500, CN 2663 and BNSF 4157 was the wild lashup on this CN 710 (loaded oil train) which is seen after changing crews at Turcot West on December 8th.

Michael also snapped CN 2691, BNSF 9112, and NS 8449 leading a loaded oil train stopping for a crew change at Turcot west. December 26th. The BNSF SD70ACe is less that one year old.

With Montreal as the perfect backdrop, Francois Jolin bagged this colourful trio about to cross Victoria Bridge destined for the Valero refinery at Lévis, QC. Canadian National oil train #710 rolls through Montreal as it heads eastbound on a bitterly cold December morning. Ironically, the lead locomotive CN C40-8W 2186 is former BNSF 849!

Walter Pfefferle photographed CN train 385 with CN 5420, BNSF 5021 and BNSF 1123 rolling through Ingersoll, ON December 29th, 2013.

Pontiac County has lost its court challenge to keep the CN Rail tracks in place, but will fight on. Late in November, a Quebec Superior Court judge ruled against MRC Pontiac in its effort to get a permanent injunction to prevent the railway from ripping up 40 miles of track running through the West Quebec municipality. Back in March, the county had passed a bylaw which designated the land within the railway's vicinity for "rail use only," which made it illegal to remove or alter the rails within its municipal borders, and enforced that in August with a blockade when CN crews were spotted digging up the lines. Quebec Superior Court Judge Martin Bédard ruled the bylaw overstepped the MRC's jurisdiction, adding CN followed proper procedure under the federal Transportation Act. The MRC voted to appeal that ruling at its Nov. 27 council meeting. Across Eastern Ontario and into Quebec, both CN and CP railways have been dismantling the tracks along what they feel are underused railway corridors, shipping the steel rails out west and other places where the demand is higher. This followed earlier efforts to sell the tracks. MRC Pontiac, which has been struggling to rebound since the forestry crisis in 2008, feels losing the rails would be another blow which they can not afford to take. Former Pontiac County Warden Michael McCrank has stated he sees the railway as an key factor in attracting business to the area and providing a way to ship goods to larger centres. The rail would allow industry in the Pontiac to transport goods to Ottawa in 45 minutes, and from there, give them access to North American markets. It is feared if CN is successful in removing the rails, it would be a death sentence for local communities because businesses won't be able to survive without effective transportation out of the community. (From Stephen Uhlers a Daily Observer multimedia journalist).

A continuing CBC News investigation into rail safety has found that Canada’s largest freight carrier CN Rail did not report to authorities more than 1,800 derailments, including 44 on key rail arteries. This came to light in 2005 when the Transportation Safety Board’s director of rail investigations says he became suspicious of a dramatic difference between CN’s accident numbers compared to other operators. “All of a sudden there became a wide discrepancy in the [derailment] numbers [compared with CN’s competitors],” recalls Ian Naish, who left the TSB in 2009. “You say ‘Well, OK, what’s going on here?’ “The safety watchdog agency took an unprecedented step and issued a statutory summons in June, 2006 to CN Rail requiring it to turn over its complete safety records. The TSB found a total of 1,843 unreported derailments, including 44 main-track derailments, over a six-year period. CN spokesman Mark Hallman told CBC News that the company’s failure stemmed from a disagreement over the types of minor accidents it must self-report to the TSB. “At no time did CN attempt to hide or under-report accidents,” Hallman said. “Following a series of discussions, CN and the TSB reached agreement on an interpretation for reportable equipment and track damage.”

An ‘artificial’ increase: CN.............
More details including maps at :
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/tsb-says-cn-rail-failed-to-report-hundreds-of-derailments-collisions-1.2451186

The December 5th derailment of a Canadian National ore train in Two Harbors, MN had air problems and was out of control as it descended a 2.9 percent grade into the city, according to sources familiar with the incident. The 107-car train, U78982, had been loaded earlier the same day at U.S. Steel’s Minntac Taconite Plant at Mountain Iron, MN. and was led by three units: DMIR 407, (an SD40-3 Tunnel Motor), Bessemer & Lake Erie SD40-3 909, and CN SD40-2 6021. The train crew first reported air problems as it approached Waldo, a junction four miles north of Two Harbors. The crew reported to the dispatcher that they had put their train in emergency for four miles and were still doing 40 mph. They asked the dispatcher to line them directly into Two Harbors’ commercial yard. The crew was able to bring the train to a stop just after Waldo and the beginning of the steep grade. They told the dispatcher they would charge up their air and wait there, but one grade crossing would be blocked. Since the crew was short of time, a pair of units with a yard crew was sent out from Two Harbors to pull the train in. It took about 45 minutes to couple the units and start moving again . Now with DM&IR SD40-3 405 leading, the train made it about halfway down the grade when the crew called Two Harbors yard and shouted their train was a runaway. It derailed and piled up as it entered the yard. There were four crewmembers on board – the road crew and the yard crew from Two Harbors. Two of them jumped as the train rolled into the yard and were injured, although three feet of fresh snow may have cushioned their impact. Two others rode out the runaway in the trailing units and did not have any injuries. CN spokesman Patrick Waldron said an ambulance brought two people to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The day before the accident the Two Harbors area had received nearly three of snow, and the temperature at the time of the incident was 9 degrees, so the weather may have been a factor in the accident. CN spokesman Patrick Waldron declined to comment on the specifics of the radio transmissions. He says, “All aspects of this incident remain under investigation. We will not speculate on the circumstances nor what may have contributed to or caused the derailment while that investigation is continuing.” According to CN spokesman Patrick Waldron, a total of 93 cars were involved in the incident, 76 cars on the derailed train and 17 more loaded cars in the yard.

Tacked in with 451’s regular freight, the 725,000lb transformer dimensional load was on a depressed-center flatcar along with a few loaded gondola buffer cars was at the front of the train. They had to stop at a few rock cuts along the way and walk it through, along with the old bridge over the Muskoka River in Huntsville. (Wayne D. Shaw).

Some interesting things are happening to B&LE 905 at the Union Railroad shops at Hall, PA. The URR is putting on a new cab after a collision with a log truck on the CN Bessemer Sub. CN is subcontracting the URR to do the repairs. There hasn’t been any word of a total repaint to the 905. I guess it is possible it will have a CN noodle on the cab. (Via David Kelsch).

CN’s second hottest train #103 with ES44DC 2331 and SD70M-2 8887 exiting the Cape Horn Tunnel and Rock Sheds deep in the “Painted Canyon” portion of the Thompson River with double stack traffic bound for Vancouver. This location is just a gob smacking great photographic location, easy choice but tough decisions which one you prefer!!! Just one question, how did they ever install that telegraph pole line in all that vertical rock?

Photographed in early morning light with ES44DC 2310, SD75I 5788, and Dash 8-40CW 2163 (ex-BNSF/ATSF 803) having just crossed the Thompson River Bridge 4 at MP47.3 on the Ashcroft Sub with CN #416 just shy of old CN Tiffin.

Geoff Elliott posted this great catch ... In what can be described as an "only on CN" lashup we have CN GP9RM 7080, GMD1 1412, and GP38-2W 4761 leading a short train (CN #439) through Puce, Ontario on November 29, 2013. Talk about a 'classic' CN lashup!!

Guy-Pascal Arcoutte Posted this great shot of a CN "Meet" On November 30th, CN 711 in the siding with IC C44-9W 2724 waiting for CN 120 to pass by with the SD70M-2 and a pair of IC SD70's. The CN crewman is track side for roll by inspection as the train passes by safely. I really like "Meet" shots. (Will)

CN 2599 and BCOL 4604 lead SB train A432 at Centralia, IL December 7th. (George Redmond).

After an early seasonal snow on December 7th, George Redmond snapped CP 9818 (the 3rd unit) and CP 8624 (4th unit), DIT on northbound CN train A431 departing Centralia, IL. The AC4400CW’s were returning to Canada following contract repairs, and repaint stateside.

On December 8th, Ron Visockis was in Belleville, ON before the snow storm, where he got great shots of CN GP9RM’s 4110 and 7000 on train #518 to Kingston. ON.

On a stormy December 12th, CN 595 with GP9RM 4132 trudges through continuing snow squalls returning from Longford Mills,with work at Martins, Ontario before heading back to Huntsville Yard. (Wayne D. Shaw Photo).

Kenneth Borg snapped these four images on December 13th: The CN/IC Santa Train power at Torry Yard in Flint, MI.

CN #371 w.b. at Fish Lake Road in Holly Twp.

LSRC SD40-2 6301 looks pretty in her new paint scheme in Flint, MI.

Clio, MI LSRC and a northbound freight with CITX SD40-2 3074 at the point.

On a snowy December 14th while working train 421 in Fort Erie, ON, Phil Hall snapped the following shots: Brand new CN ES44AC 2859, 2860 and 2861 being delivered to Canada by NS train 369. The photos were taken during the big snowstorm. These units will be lifted for Mac Yard by train 422 on December 15th. Phil also passed Train 422 on December 14th with another new CN ES44AC on the way to Mac yard but did not get the number,

A winter wonderland in Fort Erie, as Phil took this shot from inside SD75i 5687, with the old CN shops in the background.

On Nov 25th on the service track at MacMillan Yard, Phil bagged former GO Transit F59PH’s, now-RNCX 18551 nee-GO 541, RNCX 18541 nee-GO 551,RNCX 18547 nee-GO 547, RNCX 18542 nee-GO542, and GO MP40 657.

Phil also clicked CN Geometry Budd car 1501 at Mac Yard in Toronto, and included a rare shot of the vestibule door opened.

Passing Geddes Street in Belleville Ontario December 11th, Barry Silverthorn clicked P&L Slug 2108 (with sibling 2103) n transit from Vermont Railway to the Paducah and Louisville (PAL). They tested her for 90 days on a lease. Vermont Railway is deciding on whether or not to purchase a few sets like this from NRE.

Wayne D. Shaw snapped another winner by clicking CN 595 flying south across Old Muskoka Road in Allensville. ON on her twice-weekly journey from Huntsville to Longford Mills, roughly a 120 mile round trip. CN GP9RM 4132 leads a short train at mile 138 on the CN Newmarket Sub. December 10th.

Just another snowy day in Muskoka as 451 rounds Siding Lake approaching the south switch at Martins at Mile 140.8 CN Newmarket Sub behind a pair of CN full cowl SD60Fs. (Wayne D. Shaw photo)

On December 18th, CN GMD1u 1423 operates with the 15 years liveried CN GP9RM 7258 at the Pounder Emulsions facility in Saskatoon, SK. The GMD1u was built in 1958 as 1000, the first freight GMD1 built for CN. Oddly enough, the oldest GMD1 continues out live much of the fleet that has since been retired. (Photo by Mark Zulkoskey).

On December 9th. an unusual consist of a CP and GTW units was on the south end at Homewood IL. QNSX SD40-2CLC 312 was seen at the south end of Homewood Yard Dec.23rd. She is waybilled to National Railway Equipment in Silvis, IL. The CN business car is at Homewood Dec. 24th. BNSF M-IHB-GAL is smoking at Blue Island ILL. Dec.26th. The B&OCT caboose which was specially painted for the conductor. He then had the horn and the lanterns installed, for a great look. (Mike Garza Photos).

Pierre Fournier kindly submitted these “Vignette scenes” he took in the mid 1970’s:

The steam heat is certainly needed on this bitter cold day. CN train 20 is seen stopped at the Gare du Palais train station in Quebec City on February 14th, 1976.

On February 14th, 1976, CN RS18 3867 pushes the snow plow extra at the Station in Lévis , QC Station on a -30°f freezing cold day.

CNR FA1 #9400 battling the elements while stored away behind the National Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa, (She has since been moved to ExpoRail, restored cosmetically repainted and is indoors!

© CRO January 2014