Canadian Railway Observations : Canadian Pacific

CANADIAN PACIFIC

CP PHOTOS

CP 3120 leads CP 3033 and CP 2251 up the grade into Ayr Ontario with the Toyota job. It is heading to the classification yard at Wolverton Ontario Oct 8th, 2015.

The local CP job with CP 33085, CP 2307 and CP 3133 head out of Woodstock Ontario with cars from Ontario Southland Railway heading to London Ontario. Three units struggle some days climbing the grade as they cross Hwy 2. Oct 5 2015

On October 6th, 2015 Mark Mautner snapped former Milwaukee Bandit, Illini Terminal (PHRR) GP40 2064 (wearing #2302 for an event) in fresh paint on the Port Harbor Railroad in Venice, IN. The railway is owned by Terry Respondek, and these are his favourite railroad colours.

Mark Mautner submitted these two for former CP units living new lives south of the border.

FTRL Railway has purchased former CP GP9u 8223. This geep will get FTRL colours at Metro East Industries (MEI). Mark shot FTRL 6223 at MEI in East St Louis, IL on October 7th.

Port Harbor RR GP9u 1602 ( ex CP ) and GP40-2 8955 ( ex MILW ) team up on a cut of loaded pipe at America's Central Port in Granite City, IL on Oct 15th 2015. In 2016 we plan to paint the 1602 to match the 8955. Built by GMD as GP9 8818 (1958). Rebuilt by CP as a GP9u for yard service, chop-nosed and renumbered to 1602 (1985). Mated with Slug #1015. Retired (2013). Sold to Respondek (9/2013).

Port Harbor RR GP40-2 8955 in "fresh" paint at Granite City, IL Oct 15 2015. They finished painting this unit in early October 2015, and it is ex-CP 4615.

She was built by EMD as Milwaukee Road GP40 162 (1/1967), renumbered to MILW 2035 (1968). Acquired by SOO Line (1985) and renumbered to SOO 2035. Rebuilt by CP, repainted and renumbered to 4615 (3/2001). Retired (5/24/2013). Sold to Respondek in 2014, and has just been repainted for the Port Harbor Railroad, which is a shortline owned by Terry Respondek.

Here is former CP 4615 as SOO 2035 in patched MILW Bandit paint October 1st 1989 and in her previous CP paint scheme (both are Bill Sanderson photos).

On October 14th, the Royal Canadian Pacific, with F units 4107, 1900 and 4106, plus 11 cars headed west at 11:50o n a two day private charter to Vancouver as CP Train 31B-14. Cor van Steenis took these photos from the day before, as well shots showing the F units hauling the Business Cars MOUNT ROYAL (train staff car) and ASSINIBOINE (sleeper) from Ogden Yard to the downtown Pavilion. Both the MOUNT ROYAL and ASSINIBOINE had been in one of the shops at Ogden Yard and either been cleaned/polished or re-painted; MOUNT ROYAL does not now have the car name below the windows or "CANADIAN PACIFIC" on the letter board.

James F. Gilham posted this great must watch video of CP and CN Action, including the Royal Canadian Pacific train with the newly painted "Assiniboine".    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp2zTMWY4Cc

IN OTHER CP LOCOMOTIVE NEWS:

All 7 remaining CP SD40-2F locomotives on the CP Roster remain stored, (9001, 9003, 9006-9009, 9015). All other Red Barns are retired/ sold. CP SD40-2F 9004, 9010, 9011, 9014, 9017 and 9020-9024 were sold to Central Maine & Quebec (CMQ), in September, the CP road numbers retained.

Central Maine & Quebec Ry train 810 had a trio of ex-CP Red Barns all elephant style on October 15th. Francois Jolin snapped LTEX GP35u 2558, and CMQ SD40-2F 9024, 9020, and 9010 at Farnham, QC.

Canadian Pacific has tied up and stored many of the GE AC4400CW units in the CP 9500-series, as well as the SD9043MAC fleet, including the last three that were in service CP 9108, 9142, and 9157.

CP GEVO"s and AC4400CW"s continue to be used on the BNSF and UP for repaying Horse Power Hours.   George Manley caught a BNSF northbound grain train with CP ES44AC 8858 and CP 8788 as the power have just rounded the curve at Keddie Jct. and are going onto UP rails for the run north.

CP 8645 is one of several CP AC4400CW units repaying HPH to UP and BNSF. Shawn Heller caught her between UP 5519 and UP 5527on a Union Pacific Grain empty coming from the port and pulling unto mainline track number 1 in Vancouver Washington September 27th.

Shawn Heller caught BNSF train H-VAWBAR departing Vancouver, WA with the BNSF 6677 and 4567 up front, plus two DPUs in back.

Here are the DPUs on the rear of H-VAWBAR, BNSF 4782 and again, CP ES44AC 8858.

CP Locomotives Retired, Declared Surplus, Stored or Sold:

CP SD40-2F 9004, 9010, 9011, 9014, 9017 and 9020-9024 were sold to Central Maine & Quebec (CMQ) in September, the CP road numbers retained The last one 9021 had arrived on the CMQ as we went to press. The CMQ operates over the bankrupt MM&A, nee-CP trackage. At Brownsville, ME on October 4th, Francois Jolin bagged newly arrived CMQ 9022.

Ex-CP 1605 was sold to Respondek in September 2015, and was moved from Toronto to Kansas City over CP, then KC to St Louis over Norfolk Southern, then finally on the TRRA to Port Harbor Railroad. We will have a new photo of her in the next CRO issue.

The lease of CP GP9u 8249 to Gardner Dam terminal terminated in September and is now stored in Toronto. She was the last GP9u on the CP roster, and as of September 23rd, is now declared Surplus, and for sale.

CP 8218 was sold to the Pennsylvania Northeastern RR on August 18, 2015, and arrived at her new home in late-September.

Fifteen GP9u's were sold to LTEX on June 26, 2015: 1532, 1547, 1555, 1560, 1585, 1590, 1597, 1604, 1633, 1634, 8200, 8220, 8231, 8239 and 8250, all have been delivered.

30 Retired CP SD40-2"s were delivered to Bombardier Transportation's plant in Sahagun, Mexico for the SD30C-ECO program: CP 5648, 5729, 5742, 5776, 5787, 5793, 5827, 5843, 5844, 5924, 5940, 5944, 5947, 5948, 5963, 5964, 5967, 5981, 5982, 5998, 6004, 6006, 6021, 6026, 6058, 6076, 6078, 6604, 6615 and 6616.

One former CP RS18u is still earning its pay! On October 5th, 2015 Steve McKay snapped Minnesota Commercial Railroad RS18u 83 shoves a loaded center beam car into Twin City Reload in Lauderdale, MN as it works the Hennipen Job.

Erik Shicotte photographed the Mineral Range's National Mine Job shoves northward for Ishpeming, with traffic from the explosives plant. Former CP SW1200RSu 1241 is now owned by Independent Locomotive Service and numbered ILSX 932, and the ex-SOO caboose behind is now numbered 091.



CP LOCOMOTIVE REBUILD PROGRAMS

CP GP38-2 overhaul:

The previous program of overhauling GP38-2 and GP38AC locomotives to Tier 0+ compliance, and upgrading with AESS (Automatic Engine Start/Stop), and full CP repaint has changed with the new RCL program now paramount.

NATIONAL RAILWAY EQUIPMENT - Silvis, IL

As of October 23rd, these units were confirmed at NRE Silvis, IL for rebuild, repaint remote control, and ZTR installation: 3000, 3002, 3016, 3083, 3131, 3132 4417, 4420, 4434, 4443, and 4608 as well ex-D&H 7311.

In mid-October CP 4445 was fast-tracked out of the NRE shop ON October 16th complete and following ZTR testing was shipped back to CP. CP 3107 was also completed in Mid-October, and released to CP, The others are inside the shop in process. We received these photos taken at NRE in October 2015.

SOO GP40 2066 is also in the shop for a complete overhaul, stripped down to her frame. As well, Savage SVGX GP10 8601 is ex-IC 8970 was also at NRE in October.

Former CN CANX SW1200RS 1349 is leased to NRE and used a shop swither.

CADRAIL Lachine, QC:

These unit numbers were confirmed at Cadrail and have been released with the R/C Modifications, or are now being completed: CP 4400, 4401, 4440, 4441, 4426, 4435, 4436, 4444, 4447, and 4507.

SOO SURVIVOR: On September 20th, Dennis Weber caught the CP Yard Switcher with the not yet overhauled SOO GP38-2 4402, at LaCrosse, WI.

SOO SD60 overhaul - Contract Completed:

CAD Railway Industries (Lachine, QC), completed the former SOO LINE SD60 and SD60M overhaul and repaint contract for the Canadian Pacific Railway in August 2013. The overhauls included Tier 0+ compliance, installation of AESS (Locomotive Automatic Engine Start/Stop) to conserve fuel. All are in Candy Apple Red and renumbered into the CP 6200-series, and each received (PTC) Positive Train Control modifications at the CP St-Luc Diesel Shop. They did not get any cab upgrades however.

CP SD60"s and SD60M"s released from CAD during 2012 and 2013: CP 6221, 6222, 6223, 6225, 6228, 6229, 6230, 6231, 6232, 6234, 6236, 6238, 6239, 6240, 6241, 6242, 6245, 6243, 6246, 6447, 6248, 6249, 6250, 6251, 6252, 6254, 6255, 6256, 6257, 6258, 6259, 6260, and 6262. All are in service, and equipped as leaders.

SOO 6026, 6027, 6035 and 6044 have been stored serviceable since April 2015, leaving only four SD60 units remaining in service wearing SOO LINE paint: SOO 6024, 6033, 6037, and 6053. Two are in SOO white and two in SOO candy apple red. As well SOO SD60M 6061 is active, and the last one in SOO livery). Catch them while you can!

Alex Sanders clicked CP 646 with one of the remaining SOO SD60s in white paint (SOO 6037), leads a pair of NS units (8416 and 9888) through downtown London on July 20th, 2015.

CP SD30C-ECO latest order:

Canadian Pacific"s latest 30 unit order has 15 units are expected before the end of this year, with the remaining 15 coming in 2016. Unlike the first order that was constructed at EMD/Progress Rail"s Mayfield, Ky., plant, this SD30C-ECO"s order is being built at Bombardier Transportation"s Sahagun, Mexico plant.

These Surplus CP SD40-2"s are being used in the program: CP 5648, 5729, 5742, 5776, 5787, 5793, 5827, 5843, 5844, 5924, 5940, 5944, 5947, 5948, 5963, 5964, 5967, 5981, 5982, 5998, 6004, 6006, 6021, 6026, 6058, 6076, 6078, 6604, 6615, and 6616. (Note: Several were substituted and in this updated list above. More changes may take place). These following units are confirmed to be already in Mexico for rebuilding into SD30C-ECO"s this year: CP 5648, 5776, 5793, and 5947 with another four as well (numbers unknown).

The first 20 unit order of SD30C-ECO units built at EMD/Progress Rail in Mayfield, KY, was completed back in January 2014. CP 5000-5019, are all in service and in April were reassigned from Shorham Shop in St-Paul, Minnesota, with some now working in British Columbia for crew training.

CP GP20C-ECO all three orders now completed:

A new video from EMD, showing how a GP9u becomes a CP GP20C-ECO:

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/15087c4f154a6804?projector=1

CP"s third order for 60 CP GP20C-ECO units (2270-2329) has been completed, with the delivery of the last units CP 2316, 2321, 2328 and 2329 on January 26th, and CP 2287, on January 31st. 2015. These EMD Mucie, IN-built locomotives are brand new, with only the Blomberg trucks, and air compressor salvaged from the retired GP9u"s.

The first order of 30 GP20C-ECO units

CP 2200-2229 are assigned to St. Paul, MN.

The second order has the following Canadian assigned units;

CP 2230-2249 are assigned to Alyth Yard, in Calgary, AB.

CP 2250-2269 are assigned to Toronto Yard.

The third order of GP20C-ECO units is complete, with CP 2270-2329 assigned as follows:

St. Paul, MN: 2270, 2271, 2272, 2273, 2274, 2277, 2278, 2302, 2306, 2324, 2325;

Moose Jaw, SK: 2275, 2276, 2285, 2289, 2294, 2296, 2297, 2298, 2301, 2305, 2309, 2318, 2322, 2326;

Toronto,ON: 2279, 2280, 2281, 2282, 2286, 2288, 2290, 2292, 2307, 2319;

Winnipeg, MB : 2283, 2284, 2291, 2299, 2304, 2308, 2312, 2313, 2315, 2317;

Calgary, AB: 2287, 2293, 2295, 2300, 2303, 2310, 2311, 2314, 2316, 2320, 2321, 2323, 2327.

Golden, BC: 2234, 2245, 2328 and 2329.

CP leased locomotives roundup:

(By Bruce Chapman and Earl Roberts)

CEFX AC4400CW 1002, 1006, 1007, 1014, 1018-1020, 1023, 1024, and 1026-1059, are all in service.

CP NEWS

In October, Canadian Pacific Railway acquired Steelcare Inc, which operates Canada's largest steel transloading facility at CP's Aberdeen yard in Hamilton, Ontario. The transaction announced on September 29 includes TransCare Logistics Corp, Prometheus Six and East Port Warehousing & Distribution businesses.

The Plant Six site in Hamilton has two drive-through rail to road transfer areas, with the capacity to handle up to 1.5 million tonnes/year. CP expects an annual revenue of C$10m from the acquisition, and intends to keep the current management structure and employees in place.

"With direct ownership of Steelcare we are better equipped to manage our own supply chain and utilise our in-house expertise", said James Clements, CP"s Vice-President of Strategic Planning & Transportation Services. Clements also becomes Executive Vice-President of Steelcare.

Safety Tests:

In early October, the St-Luc Diesel Shop is doing Daily Safety Alerts and tests, each day a different one.

Montreal Derailment:

Salem Woodrow, a spokesperson with Canadian Pacific Railway, said it was around 10 a.m. ET when two empty TTX intermodal well cars derailed near the Hochelaga Yard in Eastend Montreal. The incident happened in a residential area near Terrasse Thomas-Valin and Lesperance Streets. About 10 homes were evacuated. "We saw one train car involved that had detached from the train. It's a platform-type of a car with nothing in it. It detached and hit the wall of the house," said Montreal fire chief Martin Farmer. Woodrow said CP has enacted its emergency protocols and that safety precautions are being taken . "The incident is under investigation," Woodrow said. A man living in Montreal's east end woke up to an Intermodel car in his yard on the morning October 29th. (CBC).

Last D&H Runs on the South End:

CP's last two D&H south end trains were on September 18th, 2015 only hours ahead of the Norfolk Southern takeover: The first image shows CP 253-18 northbound on Harpursville Trestle.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=548819

CP D11 - the last D&H South End move - fittingly with D&H GP38-2 7303 arriving in East Binghamton yard for the final time: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=548824

The Empress Returning In 2017?

Coming as a pleasant surprise to many of railfans, several trusted CRO sources reported the Canadian Pacific Railway is planning a cross-Canada tour with CPR"s 4-6-4 H1b Hudson steam locomotive in the summer of 2017 for Canada"s 150th birthday. In September, CP"s website posted the company is seeking experienced crews and retired maintenance workers experienced with the maintaining the mechanical workings of steam locomotives. (Mark Forseille Photo).

This event with "The Empress" will be an ideal vehicle to showcase the Canadian Pacific Railway"s rich history in Canada, and the railways vital importance to the development, settlement, and industrial growth of our great country. We can all hope this historic event guides to fruition!

However, that exciting steam news was followed by a troubling comment we received. A CP source indicated this could be the final official company event for CPR #2816, and she could be sidelined for good. He mentioned following the event in 2017, the locomotive could be earmarked for donation to a railway museum, (or as CP has done of late, possibly put up for auction sale). However what CP will do with the "Empress" following the Canadian event in 2017 is unknown at present. We can hope that where ever she goes, she will have a continued life in operation somewhere in Canada. (WB)

RCL IMPLEMENTATION:

One way CP is driving productivity and efficiency in rail yards is by adopting remote-controlled locomotives (RCL). A conductor operates an R/C equipped GP38-2 locomotive from the ground, to switch rail cars. Instead of relying on an engineer inside the cab, conductors and switch-crew members perform this work on the ground. CP is acquiring and implementing this technology. CP plans to spend $8 million this year to install remote controls on up to 52 locomotives involving 111 work assignments in their network. Then RCL implementation will continue in 2016. CP have begun to reduce many yard jobs, with the goal to save $12 million per year, by implementing remote control operations now and continuing over the next year. Some of CP"s main yards are already implementing the latest RCL operation, using their newest R/C modified GP38-2 fleet. The majority of these modified units are being done at Cadrail in Montreal, and at NRE in Silvis, IL.

CP PHOTOS

CP 5911 is one of only two remaining SD40-2's (and for that matter any other CP locomotive), in service still wearing the CP RAIL full sized Multimark paint scheme. When CP 5911 and 5863 are retired, that chapter of paint scheme on CP locomotives will cease to exist. Of course, there are still locomotives in the CP RAIL paint scheme wearing the small Multimark. When the CP RAIL Action Red paint scheme was introduced in the early 1970's, all the Multimarks were full sized. Both 5911 and 5863 remain active on CP's locomotive roster, and are assigned to Winnipeg. (Mark Forseille photos).

Dennis Weber submitted the following shots: The CP Roadswitcher with CP 4407, meets train CP 471 led by RC&PE 3430 and 6427, at Lacrosse, WI, on October 1st.

Close up of CP 471 with RC&PE 3430 and 6427.

On October 18th, CP Train 470 had RC&PE 6055, 3430, 3433, and 3428 at Bangor, WI.

On October 2nd, CP 471 had NS 8840 and 8149 at Lacrosse, WI.

Dennis Weber clicked CP 686 on September 30th, with CP 8723-9738 passing Bangor, WI.

On October 10th, Dennis shot DM&E train 470 with RC&PE-3480, CP-9663, and (Ex-UP) NS-7309 at Minnesota City, MN.

Andy Cassidy clicked the Roadswitcher assignment departing Coquitlam and heading to New Westminster, BC. The lighting was in his favour on May 15th, 2015, so he stopped off to catch this set when the opportunity arrived. He lucked out with the traffic lights, and he got to the crossing just in time. The shot was taken at Colony Farm Road, Mile 2.48 on the CP Westminster Sub. The CP 3009 (GMD GP38AC), and CP 3023 (GMD GP38-2), were lifting multilevels, and other rail cars over to the SRY for interchange.

Cor van Steenis photographed westbound UP and CP power in Calgary, AB in mid-October. Cor reported a marked increase in CP grain traffic passing through Calgary this month.

Mark Forseille was in a prime spot to nicely photograph Canadian Pacific Railway's F-units: FP9Au 4106, 4107 and F9B 1900 at the diesel facility in Coquitlam, BC on September 4th.

CP VIGNETTES