Francois Jolin clicked C40-8W Bluebird IC 2457 leading (St. Albans VT-Montreal QC) Canadian National train #323 as it rumbled into the town of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec on a gorgeous June 24th afternoon Provincial Holiday.

On June 8th, Andre St-Amant caught CN Track Evaluation train 999 led by GTW SD40-3 5951 at St-Paulin QC.  TEC Train 999 is heading toward Montreal passing MP 67.9 on the CN Joliette Subdivision. 

Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qewz1ETSrW0

Walter Pfefferle shot CN train 148, with CN 2327, IC 1028 and CN 8843, with 574 axles as it rolled through Ingersoll, Ontario on June 10th.

As it cleared, he then caught CN train 385 with CN 2230, CN 2182 and CN 2659. Not to be shown up its train was longer with 638 axles and 155 cars!

Francois Jolin very likely caught the first freshly rebuilt CSX SD40-3 rebuilds to visit Canada on Montreal-Selkirk CN train#327/CSX Q620. They are shown passing through the rolling farm lands near the Canada/US Border on the Montreal Subdivision.  Walter Pfefferle also caught them at North East PA. His photos can be seen in his trip report in South of the Border.

On June 6th, Mike Garza shot spotless CN SD70M-2 8881 in Homewood, IL after she had been thoroughly washed at the rack. 

Mark Tracy took these two photos (WC SW1500 1562, and IC SD70 1033) at the Woodcrest Diesel Shop, in Illinois on June 3rd.

On June 4th, Richard Roberts shot CNNA paint CN SD40-2 5386 wearing the short-lived CN North America paint scheme in the GTW yard in Battle Creek, Michigan

GTW GP9RB 4626 in the yard at Battle Creek, Michigan June 4th.

Richard caught EJ&E 669 in Battle Creek Yard on June 4th.

On June 7th, Scott Hoof photographed CN SD70M-2 8846 rolling on Norfolk Southern  train 200 at Dunlap, IL.  Note the rebuilt trucks and new wheel sets all courtesy of the Woodcrest Shop who "rebuild" the trucks onsite. 

Inside CN's (former IC)Woodcrest Shop in Homewood, IL. The truck shop has a pool of rebuilt trucks standing by at the ready for quick changeouts: swapping out a whole truck is actually easier than dropping an axle or two. So a truck manufactured in Canada by Dofasco might end up, for example, under an EMD manufactured unit at McCook, IL. They are all built from the same set of blueprints so to the railroad it's all the same! I have to wonder, though.will they ever need those Flexicoil trucks again?  (Actual photo date hidden by request. Taken on railroad property with permission and escort. Photo by John Eagan.  

On June 12th at mile 7.2 on the CN Strathroy Sub, Chad Smith clicked CN 8947 and CN 2829 expediting eastbound intermodal train 148 to Brampton Terminal. 

At his favourite spot in Homewood, IL on a very hot (Fahrenheit 90-degree) day, Richard Elleby caught train Q194 with CN 8007 (with very wonky road numbers), CN 2528, and another GE all elephant style.  

The same muggy day he  shot train M338 CN 2922, and CN 2003 leading a long train of Autoracks.

At Coteau, QC on June 6th, Ron Visockis shot CSX 4374 and CSX 411.

 

All 90 units are GE-built ES44AC / ET44AC locomotives built to Tier 4 emission standards at the Texas plant. There are two groups:

 82 ET44ACs (3039-3120)

 8 ES44AC Tier 4 credit units (expected to be 2976-2983)

CN 3039 to 3063 are now completed and in service as we went to press are: CN 3064, 3065, 3066, 3067, 3068, 3069, 3070.   The sad news is, when these are all delivered and in service, there is a strong chance that many of the stored SD60, SD60F and other older mainline locomotives may not be returning to service.

Rupert Gutierrez posted this great shot taken on June 20th, 2016 of brand new (GE Texas Built) Canadian National ET44AC 3066, 3068,BNSF ET44C4 3838 CN ET44AC 3070, holding at Metro Jct on the BNSF at Ft Worth,TX on a test run back to the Texas GE plant near Krum, TX

Brand new CN ET44AC 3062 sits at the Stevens Point, Wisconsin fuel service facility on May 9th.  It was parked with CN ES44AC 2885. 

Ex-CREX C40-8's CN 2000-2041 inclusive are former UP C40-8's purchased by CN from CREX back in 2012. All of them have been repainted into CN uniform. All can lead and have had radiator modifications, electrical upgrades.    

Ex-UP nee-CNW C40-8's CN 2100-2134 were the first group of ex-UP nee-CNW C40-8's purchased by CN in 2011. Some of this group are painted in the 15 Year anniversary paint scheme.  These units have DPU equipment: CN 2100-2102, 2104-2106, 2108-2110, 2113-2118, 2120, 2121, 2123, 2125, 2128-2130, 2132 and 2134.  

On June 6th, CN C40-8 2113 (wearing the CN 15 years as a private company logo), leads train #377 up to the new signal installation near Belleville, ON. (Ron Visockis).

C40-8:

 Compiled below are the ex-UP/ex-CREX C40-8's arranged by their assigned CN number:   

     NEW        FORMER NUMBERS                            SERIAL    NEW    FORMER NUMBERS     SERIAL

    2000:3    CREX 9023;  UP 9023;  CNW 8501    46085        2100:2    UP 9065;  CNW 8553    46781
    2001:3    CREX 9024;  UP 9024;  CNW 8502    46086        2101:2    UP 9066;  CNW 8554     46782
    2002:3    CREX 9025;  UP 9025;  CNW 8503    46087        2102:2    UP 9067;  CNW 8555    46783
    2003:3    CREX 9026;  UP 9026;  CNW 8514    46098        2103:2    UP 9068;  CNW 8556    46784
    2004:3    CREX 9027;  UP 9027;  CNW 8505    46089        2104:2    UP 9069;  CNW 8557    46785
    2005:3    CREX 9028;  UP 9028;  CNW 8506    46090        2105:2    UP 9070;  CNW 8558    46786
    2006:3    CREX 9029;  UP 9029;  CNW 8507    46091        2106:2    UP 9071;  CNW 8559    46787
    2007:3    CREX 9030;  UP 9030;  CNW 8508    46092        2107:2    UP 9072;  CNW 8560    46788
    2008:3    CREX 9031;  UP 9031;  CNW 8509    46093        2108:2    UP 9073;  CNW 8561    46789
    2009:3    CREX 9032;  UP 9032;  CNW 8510    46094        2109:2    UP 9074;  CNW 8562    46790
    2010:3    CREX 9033;  UP 9033;  CNW 8511    46095        2110:2    UP 9075;  CNW 8563    46791
    2011:3    CREX 9034;  UP 9034;  CNW 8513    46088        2111:2    UP 9076;  CNW 8564    46792
    2012:3    CREX 9035;  UP 9035;  CNW 8504    46097        2112:2    UP 9077;  CNW 8565    46793
    2013:3    CREX 9036;  UP 9036;  CNW 8520    46104        2113:2    UP 9078;  CNW 8566    46794
    2014:3   CREX 9037;  UP 9037;  CNW 8515    46099        2114:2    UP 9079;  CNW 8567    46795
    2015:3    CREX 9038;  UP 9038;  CNW 8516    46100        2115:2    UP 9080;  CNW 8568    46796
    2016:3    CREX 9039;  UP 9039;  CNW 8512    46096        2116:2    UP 9081;  CNW 8569    46797
    2017:3    CREX 9040;  UP 9040;  CNW 8518    46102        2117:2    UP 9082;  CNW 8570    46798
    2018:3    CREX 9041;  UP 9041;  CNW 8519    46103        2118:2    UP 9083;  CNW 8571    46799
    2019:3    CREX 9042;  UP 9042;  CNW 8523    46107        2119:2    UP 9084;  CNW 8572    46800
    2020:3    CREX 9043;  UP 9043;  CNW 8521    46105        2120       UP 9085;  CNW 8573    46801
    2021:3    CREX 9044;  UP 9044;  CNW 8522    46106        2121       UP 9086;  CNW 8574    46802
    2022:3    CREX 9045;  UP 9045;  CNW 8525    46109        2122       UP 9087;  CNW 8575    46803
    2023:3    CREX 9046;  UP 9046;  CNW 8524    46108        2123       UP 9088;  CNW 8576    46804
    2024:3    CREX 9047;  UP 9047;  CNW 8526    46110        2124       UP 9089;  CNW 8577    46805
    2025:2    CREX 9048;  UP 9048;  CNW 8517    46101        2125       UP 9090;  CNW 8549    46777
    2026:2    CREX 9049;  UP 9049;  CNW 8527    46111        2126       UP 9091;  CNW 8543    46771
    2027:2    CREX 9050;  UP 9050;  CNW 8528    46112        2127       UP 9092;  CNW 8544    46772
    2028:2    CREX 9051;  UP 9051;  CNW 8529    46113        2128       UP 9093;  CNW 8545    46773
    2029:2    CREX 9052;  UP 9052;  CNW 8530    46114        2129       UP 9094;  CNW 8546    46774
    2030:2    CREX 9053;  UP 9053;  CNW 8531    46371        2130       UP 9095;  CNW 8547    46775
    2031:2    CREX 9054;  UP 9054;  CNW 8532    46372        2131       UP 9096;  CNW 8548    46776
    2032:2    CREX 9055;  UP 9055;  CNW 8533    46373        2132       UP 9097;  CNW 8550    46778
    2033:2    CREX 9056;  UP 9056;  CNW 8534    46374        2133       UP 9098;  CNW 8551    46779
    2034:2    CREX 9057;  UP 9057;  CNW 8535    46375        2134      UP 9099;  CNW 8552    46780
    2035:2    CREX 9058;  UP 9058;  CNW 8536    46376                             
    2036:2    CREX 9059;  UP 9059;  CNW 8537    46377    
    2037:2    CREX 9060;  UP 9060;  CNW 8538    46378    
    2038:2    CREX 9061;  UP 9061;  CNW 8539    46379    
    2039:2    CREX 9062;  UP 9062;  CNW 8540    46380
    2040:2    CREX 9063:  UP 9063;  CNW 8541    46381
    2041:2    CREX 9064;  UP 9064;  CNW 8542    46382

 C40-8W:  

 Compiled below are the ex-BNSF C40-8W's arranged by their assigned CN number.    

    NEW        FORMER NUMBERS    SERIAL    NEW    FORMER NUMBERS    SERIAL

    2098        BNSF 865;  ATSF 865    46994        2167    BNSF 811;  ATSF 811    46940
    2099        BNSF 866   ATSF 866    46995        2168    BNSF 813;  ATSF 813    46942
    2135        BNSF 800;  ATSF 800    46929        2169    BNSF 815;  ATSF 815    46944
    2136        BNSF 802;  ATSF 802    46931        2170    BNSF 817;  ATSF 817    46946
    2137        BNSF 804;  ATSF 804    46933        2171    BNSF 819;  ATSF 819    46948
    2138        BNSF 806;  ATSF 806    46935        2172    BNSF 821;  ATSF 821    46950
    2139        BNSF 808;  ATSF 808    46937        2173    BNSF 823;  ATSF 823    46952
    2140        BNSF 810;  ATSF 810    46939        2174    BNSF 825;  ATSF 825    46954
    2141        BNSF 812;  ATSF 812    46941        2175    BNSF 827;  ATSF 827    46956
    2142        BNSF 814;  ATSF 814    46943        2176    BNSF 829;  ATSF 829    46958
    2143        BNSF 816;  ATSF 816    46945        2177    BNSF 831;  ATSF 831    46960
    2144        BNSF 818;  ATSF 818    46947        2178    BNSF 833;  ATSF 833    46962
    2145        BNSF 820;  ATSF 820    46949        2179    BNSF 835;  ATSF 835    46964
    2146        BNSF 822;  ATSF 822    46951        2180    BNSF 837;  ATSF 837    46966
    2147        BNSF 824;  ATSF 824    46953        2181    BNSF 839;  ATSF 839    46968
    2148        BNSF 826;  ATSF 826    46955        2182    BNSF 841;  ATSF 841    46970
    2149        BNSF 828;  ATSF 828    46957        2183    BNSF 843;  ATSF 843    46972
    2150        BNSF 830;  ATSF 830    46959        2184    BNSF 845;  ATSF 845    46974
    2151        BNSF 832;  ATSF 832    46961        2185    BNSF 847;  ATSF 847    46976
    2152        BNSF 834;  ATSF 834    46963        2186    BNSF 849;  ATSF 849    46978
    2153        BNSF 836;  ATSF 836    46965        2187    BNSF 851;  ATSF 851    46980
    2154        BNSF 838;  ATSF 838    46967        2188    BNSF 853;  ATSF 853    46982
    2155        BNSF 840;  ATSF 840    46969        2189    BNSF 854;  ATSF 854    46983
    2156        BNSF 842;  ATSF 842    46971        2190    BNSF 855;  ATSF 855    46984         
    2157        BNSF 844;  ATSF 844    46973        2191    BNSF 856;  ATSF 856    46985
    2158        BNSF 846;  ATSF 846    46975        2192    BNSF 857;  ATSF 857    46986
    2159        BNSF 848;  ATSF 848    46977        2193    BNSF 858;  ATSF 858    46987
    2160        BNSF 850;  ATSF 850    46979        2194    BNSF 859;  ATSF 859    46988
    2161        BNSF 852;  ATSF 852    46981        2195    BNSF 860;  ATSF 860    46989
    2162        BNSF 801;  ATSF 801    46930        2196     BNSF 861;  ATSF 861    46990
    2163        BNSF 803;  ATSF 803    46932        2197    BNSF 862;  ATSF 862    46991
    2164        BNSF 805;  ATSF 805    46934        2198    BNSF 863;  ATSF 863    46992
    2165        BNSF 807;  ATSF 807    46936        2199    BNSF 864;  ATSF 864    46993
    2166        BNSF 809;  ATSF 809    46938

 Former LMSX C40-8W STATUS:

IC C40-8W 2458, 2461, and 2465 remain the only IC/ex-LMS blue bird units painted in CN uniform.  IC 2458 and 2461 were painted at the Centralia Shop in Illinois and IC 2465 was done at the Transcona Shop, in Winnipeg.  

The other LMSX C40-8W's are still wearing (Conrail) blue paint, and are patched "IC". After operating on CN and Conrail for many years in a co-leasing arrangement in the 1990's, LMSX 728-736, 738, and 739) eventually had their leases purchased by CN. One is off the roster. IC 2464 was retired in 2012, after being wrecked on the CSX.  

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

CN acquired 90 second-hand EMD / Oakway Leasing  (3,800 hp) SD60 locomotives back in 2012 All are upgraded to CN specifications, repainted into CN colours, and can lead.  They were purchased in two groups: 

CN SD60 5400-5442 (1st group)
CN SD60 5443-5489 (2nd group). 

Happily, not all the CN SD60's are in storage!   On June 5th, Richard Elleby caught two of the SD60's at Homewood, Illinois currently in service: (CN 5462 and CN 5430).  In his photo, the back to back pair of EMD's are making a pickup at CN's Markham Yard.  

 CN (ex-Oakway) SD60 Roster:                

  NEW        FORMER NUMBERS        SERIAL            NEW    FORMER NUMBERS        SERIAL

    5400:2    GMTX 9013; OWY 9013    867150-14            5445:2    EMDX 9002; OWY 9002    867150-03
    5401:2    GMTX 9020; OWY 9020    867150-21            5446:2    EMDX 9003; OWY 9003    867150-04
    5402:2    GMTX 9023; OWY 9023    867150-24            5447:2    EMDX 9004; OWY 9004    867150-05
    5403:2    GMTX 9027; OWY 9027    867150-28            5448:2    EMDX 9005; OWY 9005    867150-06
    5404:2    GMTX 9030; OWY 9030    867150-31            5449:2    EMDX 9006; OWY 9006    867150-07
    5405:2    GMTX 9033; OWY 9033    867150-34            5450:2    EMDX 9007; OWY 9007    867150-08
    5406:2    GMTX 9034; OWY 9034    867150-35            5451:2    EMDX 9008; OWY 9008    867150-09
    5407:2    GMTX 9035; OWY 9035    867150-36            5452:2    EMDX 9009; OWY 9009    867150-10
    5408:2    GMTX 9036; OWY 9036    867150-37            5453:2    EMDX 9010; OWY 9010    867150-11
    5409:2    GMTX 9037; OWY 9037    867150-38            5454:2    EMDX 9011; OWY 9011    867150-12
    5410:2    GMTX 9040; OWY 9040    867150-41            5455:2    EMDX 9012; OWY 9012    867150-13
    5411:2    GMTX 9042; OWY 9042    867150-43            5456:2   EMDX 9015; OWY 9015    867150-16
    5412:2    GMTX 9043; OWY 9043    867150-44            5457:2    EMDX 9017; OWY 9017    867150-18
    5413:2    GMTX 9045; OWY 9045    867150-46            5458:2    EMDX 9018; OWY 9018    867150-19
    5414:2    GMTX 9046; OWY 9046    867150-47            5459:2    EMDX 9019; OWY 9019    867150-20
    5415:2    GMTX 9050; OWY 9050    867150-51            5460       EMDX 9021; OWY 9021    867150-22
    5416:2    GMTX 9051; OWY 9051    867150-52            5461       EMDX 9022; OWY 9022    867150-23
    5417:2    GMTX 9053; OWY 9053    867150-54            5462       EMDX 9024; OWY 9024    867150-25
    5418:2    GMTX 9054; OWY 9054    867150-55            5463       EMDX 9025; OWY 9025    867150-26
    5419:2    GMTX 9055; OWY 9055    867150-56            5464       EMDX 9026; OWY 9026    867150-27
    5420:2    GMTX 9056; OWY 9056    867150-57            5465       EMDX 9028; OWY 9028    867150-29
    5421:2    GMTX 9057; OWY 9057    867150-58            5466       EMDX 9029; OWY 9029     867150-30
    5422:2    GMTX 9058; OWY 9058    867150-59            5467       EMDX 9031; OWY 9031    867150-32
    5423:2    GMTX 9060; OWY 9060    867150-61            5468       EMDX 9032; OWY 9032    867150-33
    5424:2    GMTX 9064; OWY 9064    867150-65            5469       EMDX 9038; OWY 9038    867150-39
    5425:2    GMTX 9066; OWY 9066    867150-67            5470       EMDX 9039; OWY 9039    867150-40
    5426:2    GMTX 9069; OWY 9069    867150-70            5471       EMDX 9047; OWY 9047    867150-48
    5427:2    GMTX 9071; OWY 9071    867150-72            5472       EMDX 9048; OWY 9048    867150-49
    5428:2    GMTX 9073; OWY 9073    867150-74            5473       EMDX 9049; OWY 9049    867150-50
    5429:2    GMTX 9074; OWY 9074    867150-75            5474       EMDX 9052; OWY 9052    867150-53
    5430:2    GMTX 9075; OWY 9075    867150-76            5475       EMDX 9063; OWY 9063    867150-64
    5431:2    GMTX 9076; OWY 9076    867150-77            5476       EMDX 9065; OWY 9065    867150-66
    5432:2    GMTX 9078; OWY 9078    867150-79            5477       EMDX 9068; OWY 9068    867150-69
    5433:2    GMTX 9079; OWY 9079    867150-80            5478       EMDX 9070; OWY 9070    867150-71
    5434:2    GMTX 9080; OWY 9080    867150-81            5479       EMDX 9072; OWY 9072    867150-73
    5435:2    GMTX 9085; OWY 9085    867150-86            5480       EMDX 9077; OWY 9077    867150-78
    5436:2    GMTX 9086; OWY 9086    867150-87            5481       EMDX 9081; OWY 9081    867150-82
    5437:2    GMTX 9087; OWY 9087    867150-88            5482       EMDX 9083; OWY 9083    867150-84
    5438:2    GMTX 9089; OWY 9089    867150-90            5483       EMDX 9084; OWY 9084    867150-85
    5439:2    GMTX 9092; OWY 9092    867150-93            5484       EMDX 9088; OWY 9088    867150-89
    5440:2    GMTX 9095; OWY 9095    867150-96            5485       EMDX 9090; OWY 9090    867150-91
    5441:2    GMTX 9097; OWY 9097    867150-98            5486       EMDX 9091; OWY 9091    867150-92
    5442:2    GMTX 9099; OWY 9099   867150-100           5487       EMDX 9093; OWY 9093    867150-94
    5443:2    EMDX 9000; OWY 9000    867150-01            5488      EMDX 9096; OWY 9096     867150-97
    5444:2    EMDX 9001; OWY 9001    867150-02            5489      EMDX 9098; OWY 9098     867150-99

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 C40-8W 2191 "Retired" in October 2014 with wreck damage following the WSOR collision in Wisconsin, became "Unretired" in 2015 and was fully repaired and repainted at NRE Silvis, IL.  She returned to service in January 2016). CN 2191 was reinstated into the active roster sometime between the March 12 and August 12, 2015 CRO Retirement reports.  Unfortunately for us, CN reports their retirements very infrequently.

CN GP9RM 7220 (Retired between Aug 12, and Dec 31, 2015).  

CN GP9-Slug 207 and 227 (Were both "Un-Retired" between Aug 12, and Dec 31, 2015).

CN GP9-Slug 249 and CN HBU-4 522 (Were Retired between March 12, and August 12, 2015).

CN GP9-Slug 211, and WC SW1500 1552 and 1560 (Retired in 2013, 2013 and 2012 respectively, were "Un-Retired" sometime between March 12 and August 12, 2015).  

IC E9Au 100 and 101 (Retired in 2014, were sold to the Iowa Pacific in October 2014). 

Former CN locomotives living new lives South of the Border:

(Our thanks to Timothy Organ)

She might not look too good now but give it a month or so !!! ex CN , ex KCS GP40-2LW 2903 was purchased fall 2015 by MEI from KCS after it sat in the KCS East St Louis, IL yard for years with a missing D/B grid. MEI replaced the D/B and got the engine running and recently sold it to FTRL Railway. Unit is waiting for time in the shop to get a coat of FTRL red and orange. Taken with MEI permission Jan 29th 2016   http://tinyurl.com/zv6hhuc

 

CN NEWS

Here Come the ET's to CANADA!

For the first time, the Government of Canada is attempting to regulate air pollutant emissions from locomotives similar to TIER 4 Regulations in the USA The proposed regulations are being developed under the Railway Safety Act, with a focus on health and the environment. Transport Canada, the Canadian government's transportation department, estimates the proposed rail regulations will cost C$162.3 million over 10 years and reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 9.3% and particulate matter (PM) emissions by 8%, creating an estimated savings to healthcare and the environment of more than C$245 million. "Aligning locomotive emission standards with the U.S. will provide regulatory certainty for the rail industry and improve the efficiency of the North American transportation system," said Marc Garneau, Canada's Minister of Transport. "Most important, these regulations will lead to environmental benefits that protect the health of Canadians and advance green technologies." The proposed changes would limit harmful air pollutant emissions, also known as "criteria air contaminants," from locomotives operated by railway companies under federal jurisdiction through increasingly stringent emission standards and reduced idling. The emission standards set out in these proposed regulations will also align with those of the U.S., which "will improve the efficiency of the transportation system and advance green technologies." The Government of Canada has already taken action to reduce emissions from light- and heavy-duty vehicles. Canada has also moved forward with regulations to implement the North American Emission Control Area, which will reduce emissions of key air pollutants from ships, and the adoption of more stringent NOx emission standards for aircraft. The proposed regulations support the Government of Canada's efforts to transition to a greener transportation sector. Canada and the U.S. are also working together on approaches to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from locomotives under the Canada-U.S. Regulatory Cooperation Council. Transport Canada invites public comments to these proposed regulations until September 15, 2016. (Railway Age - Ben Vient)

 Ontario Expanding All Day GO Rail Service Thanks to CN!

CN wants to build an new freight corridor and shift its lines to allow GO/Metrolinx an all day schedule from Kitchener to Union Station which is great news for GO Transit riders.  Ontario is now one step closer to building the innovation super corridor by delivering two-way, all-day GO train service between Toronto and the Waterloo Region. Through its agency Metrolinx, the regional transportation authority for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, the province has secured an agreement-in-principle with CN that will allow GO Regional Express Rail to be built along the Kitchener GO corridor.

The agreement-in-principle also begins the planning and technical analysis to build a new freight corridor that will allow CN to shift most of its freight traffic from the section of the Kitchener corridor the company owns -- roughly between Georgetown and Bramalea -- to the new corridor. That will free up capacity for more GO service through Brampton to Kitchener.

To build a modern and integrated transit network in the region and seamlessly connect communities and businesses, Premier Kathleen Wynne also announced today that Ontario is committing up to $43 million to help fund the Region of Waterloo's proposed transit hub in downtown Kitchener. This hub will make it easier for transit users to connect to GO rail and bus service, the light rail transit line being built in Waterloo Region, VIA Rail services, and local and inter-city bus services.

To improve connectivity in the short term, starting in September GO will extend two morning and two afternoon peak train trips that currently run between Georgetown and Union Station to also serve Kitchener, Guelph and Acton. This will double the number of weekday train trips between Kitchener and Toronto. Also in September, GO will introduce a new express bus service running all day between Kitchener and the Bramalea GO Station in Brampton -- with the service timed to connect with GO rail and bus services to and from Union Station in Toronto.

Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province's history -- about $160 billion over 12 years. This is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals. Investments in Kitchener-Waterloo's transit future are essential to attracting new investors to Ontario's tech and innovation sectors, supporting the growth of existing businesses, and improving productivity and competitiveness.

Investing in priority transit infrastructure is part of the government's economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

The agreement-in-principle between Metrolinx and CN will allow for continued planning and design on improvements to the Kitchener GO corridor to support more GO train service in the future and deliver GO Regional Express Rail along this line.
The province will be seeking support from the Government of Canada to construct the new rail corridor and enable transformational changes in shifting freight rail operations to allow for increased transit choices.
Under the GO Regional Express Rail initiative, Metrolinx is transforming the GO rail network, including the Kitchener GO corridor, to provide faster and more frequent GO train service across the region, with electrification of core segments of the network. Weekly trips across the entire GO rail network are expected to grow from about 1,500 to nearly 6,000 over 10 years.

Since 2003, Ontario has extended GO's rail network by nearly 90 kilometres, opened 14 new GO stations, rebuilt four existing stations, and added more than 31,000 new parking spots across the system.
Ontario is investing $31.5 billion over 10 years in transit, roads, bridges and highways.

Class Dismissed

 Canadian National Railway (CN) announced that 15,000 employees have completed a range of railway training programs at its two education campuses since they opened back in 2014. CN also unveiled plans to provide customer safety training under its new CN Campus Partnership Program. Claude Mongeau, CN President and CEO, said: "CN attaining the milestone of training 15,000 employees at our two campuses reflects the reengineering of how CN hires a new generation of railroaders and upgrades the skills of current ones. Sustaining a skilled employee base and instilling a strong safety culture in our ranks are critical priorities for CN as it builds for the future." "In the next stage of CN's training evolution, we will offer safety-focused courses to our largest carload customers at our Winnipeg training campus starting this May. The CN Campus Partnership Program courses will deal with track, basic rail safety and the requirements of safe switching operations," Mongeau said. "We plan to roll out a similar customer program at our U.S. campus in suburban Chicago in the near future. Our target audiences will eventually include smaller carload customers, short-line railways, and intermodal customers. We think this kind of collaboration will help ensure safer operations throughout the entire railway supply chain and instill the same safety mindset CN has among its customer base." CN adopted a new innovative approach to employee training when it embarked on its workforce renewal program six years ago. With the launch of that program, CN began to realize it needed more integrated and sophisticated employee training methods, including laboratories and digital learning tools. As a result CN built two new training centers at a total cost of C$60 million," Mongeau said. The Winnipeg center hosts employees from across Canada, while the Homewood facility accommodates employees from across the U.S. Opened in mid-2014, the training campuses provide consistent, quality training with a modern curriculum, coupled with skilled instructors, for jobs ranging from conductor to track maintainer, and car mechanic to supervisor. Employees receive hands-on training in learning laboratories with equipment such as locomotive, crane, and signal and communication simulators. The employees attending the facilities also appreciate outdoor labs with dedicated rolling stock and other equipment for field training. Mongeau concluded: "Quality on-boarding and employee training are essential to attracting, retaining and developing talented railroaders who will work safely and help CN maintain its leadership position for many years to come. CN continues to innovate and adapt to changing forces and now we want our customers and other stakeholders to share how we think of and practice safe railroading every day of the year. (Railway Age June)

Two Teenagers Trespassing Killed by CN train

Police are investigating the deaths of two teenage girls who were struck by a train in rural Nova Scotia early Friday June 10th, RCMP say they were called to an intersection at Mader Street and Highway 2 in Lantz, NS  at about 1:40 a.m. They say a 17-year-old from Lantz and an 18-year-old international exchange student from Germany were pronounced dead at the scene. Cpl. Jennifer Clarke said they had few details on the accident, adding only that the CN freight train was heading south en route to Halifax when it hit the young women. The two teenage girls, described by friends as being the "sweetest," have died after being hit by a train while walking along the tracks near the Nova Scotia community of Lantz, about 40 kilometres north of Halifax.

The 17-year-old from Lantz and an 18-year-old former exchange student from Germany were pronounced dead at the scene early Friday morning, RCMP said. The two weren't at a crossing when they were hit, and were walking on the tracks.  The identity of the girls was not disclosed.  The teenagers, who had spent the evening at an athletics banquet, were hit by a CN train travelling southbound toward Halifax at around 1:30 a.m. AT. The accident happened near the intersection of Highway 2 and Mader Street. It was "impossible" to stop the train in time, a CN spokesman told CBC News.  "Initial reports are that the crew followed proper procedures, sounding the train horn and applying the emergency brakes," Jim Feeny wrote in a statement.  "It was impossible to stop the train in time to prevent this tragedy."  Feeny wrote that two crew members have been offered stress counseling.

They do not know why the girls were on tracks in the middle of the night.

Police have said the train travelled nearly its full length of 600 to 800 metres before it was able to stop.  Crew on the train placed the train in emergency and sounded the horn and after the collision called 911, said RCMP Cpl. Jennifer Clarke. She said police are trying to figure out why the girls were on the tracks. "We are still trying to put that together," she said. "Officers are at the scene, as well as investigators from CN police, to try to determine what happened here." 

There will be no TSB investigation:

The Canadian Transportation Safety Board will not be sending its investigators to the scene because this is considered a case of trespassing, which is not in their jurisdiction. VIA Rail spokeswoman Mariam Diaby said the rail line had been cleared, and the investigation will not affect CN freight or VIA passenger operation.

CN Rail Train Working In June

In early June, Taylor Woolston shot CN caboose 77014 on the tail end of a loaded rail train at Fort Rouge Yard, along the bus rapid transit way in Winnipeg. Around an hour later, they pulled out of the yard heading east on the CN Rivers Subdivision, with the caboose trailing. 

The CN Montreal Sub Remodel Project

CN 5484 leads eastbound CN 324 along the Montreal Sub passing the heavy construction along the route.  (Sandor David photo). 

CN is continuing the major Montreal Sub mainline realignment project started over one year ago. It involves moving the current triple track main line located in-between the eastbound and westbound lanes of Autoroute 20, The 3 tracks would move , as well as the 4th service track several hundred feet to the north of the Highway, and pass through the former CN Turcot Yard.  The tracks needed to be moved for the huge Turcot Interchange highway project under construction.  The existing intechange has been a frustrating bottleneck for Montreal motorists and truck traffic for many years as four major Montreal highway thoroughfares all meet there, and at different road height levels.  As well the poured concrete bridge cloverleaf structures are dilapidated, crumbling and rusting, and in need of complete  replacement. 

As the CN and VIA mainlines pass beneath e the cloverleaf in a short concrete tunnel, the entire existing Right of Way must be moved.  CN has proceeded in the realignment to the east through St-Henri where the Montreal Sub is double tracked up to De Coucelles Street.  Then a switch on the North main line track begin the third main line track and a fourth service run through track  (West of the crossing) that eventually will run all the way to join up with the four track main at Turcot West, Therefore there will be four tracks between  Turcot East and the junction into Taschereau Yard.  At that time the posted track speed can be increased west of the St. Ambroise street Crossing in St. Henri East.  (Photos by Guy-Pascal Arcouette)

Downtown Montreal

On June 17th CN local Train 500 is about to arrive at Bridge Street, in Montreal after departing Pointe St-Charles Yard nect to the former CN PSC Shop. (Pierre Fournier photo).

   

 

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Photographed around 1910, Grand Trunk Pacific (GTP #123) is an H1-class 4-4-0.  It had Cyl. 18" x 24" Dr. 69" Press. 200 lbs. t.e. 19,200 built by MLW 46100 7/1909. The photo shows the Grand Trunk Pacific construction train and crew at Prince Rupert Island circa 1910. (Old Time Trains/Joseph Testagrose Collection).

On August 1, 1966 Doug Hately recorded CN train No. 10 at the station in Bowmanville, Ontario. CN FPA4 6786 and a CN GP are hauling the many head-end baggage / express cars.

CN train #349 is detouring over CP at Dakota, MN back in May 1995. Dennis Weber took this photograph at one of his favourite Minnesota locations along the Canadian Pacific Railway

The following fabulous CN Vignettes are all courtesy of Bill Edgar, with thanks:

In April 1995 at Boston Bar, BC, CN 5060 and another SD40 are enough power to handle a loaded sulfur train down the Fraser Canyon. The train is bypassing the old CN Stoyoma Creek Trestle on newly installed trackage that allowed increased weight capacity for CN trains arriving at Boston Bar from the east. The old line continued to remain in service for a little while.

Bill clambered up a steep rock face to get this shot on May 17th, 1986.  It shows CN SD40-2 5314 leading an eastbound freight into Conrad siding west of Cisco, BC, for a meet with a westbound CN freight. The Fraser River flows in the background with the CP Rail mainline on the opposite embankment. 

Bill Edgar shot this dramatic scene as a CN yard crew handles some night switching while CN SD40 5180 idles under the western stars at Boston Bar, BC, back in April 1985.

Bill's photo clearly shows how Canadian winters can make railroading difficult!  Ice covered CN SD40-2W 5347 and 5318 idle in the snow at Hope, BC as a February blizzard shuts down Highway 1 and slows down both CN and CP. The only moving train on CN spotted this day was a work train! Bill shots this frigid cold scene on February 16th, 1986.

Nothing says "CANADA" quite like a grain car, in winter snow!  Taken by Bill Edgar at Boston Bar, BC on February 16tjh, 1986, Bill's photo is almost like a painting! 

    

 

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