Since Canadian Pacific started authorizing the use of ALP-45DP
locomotives on their track again since November 2012, AMT has been cycling
the dual-mode units on two pairs of trains on the St-Jerome line.
The following units have been sighted in service at least once:
1351, 1354, 1355, 1357, 1358,
1359, 1360,
1362,
1363, 1364, 1367, 1368 and 1369.
AMT intends to use ALP-45DP units on all trains on the St-Jerome and Vaudreuil-Hudson
lines by early 2013. For the immediate future, the dual-mode units will be used
exclusively in diesel mode on CP lines, because CN is still restricting them
from powering trains on their lines since the 1352’s derailment at Central
Station on December 9th2011.
AMT and Bombardier reprofiled the wheel taper of the ALP-45DP’s from 1:40 to
1:20 to reduce the lateral forces that could cause the track gauge to widen and
cause the locomotive to derail. AMT will also install wheel lubricators to the
same intent. So far, no incidents have been reported since the ALP-45DP’s were
reintroduced on the St-Jerome trains in late November 2012.
AMT immediately issued a
press release
in which it is urging CN to allow the ALP-45DP’s back on their rails. AMT
stated that all concerned parties, including CN, were involved in the
development and deployment of the ALP-45DP’s and that its physical
characteristics were well-known. So far, CN is still denying AMT’s request,
insisting that the track condition must be improved first. While not explicitly
stated as such, CN clearly expects AMT to assume the bill for its own failure to
keep Central Station’s tracks in a state of good repair.
In the mean time, Deux-Montagnes line riders must endure overcrowded and
increasingly unreliable MR90 EMU’s, which are due for a major overhaul starting
next year. As for St-Hilaire trains, they are still hauled by ageing and
fuel-hungry F40PH’s.
AMT 1350 Displayed at
Pointe St-Charles Yard in late-September 2012
AMT 1351 Now in
service
AMT 1352 Removed from
service following the derailment in Central Station and stored since December 9th,
2011.
AMT 1353 Stored in
St-Eustache following testing in May 2012.
AMT 1354 Now in Service
AMT 1355 Now in Service
AMT 1356 Transferred to CP at Sortin on Nov 19th 2012. To be tested
on CP's Parc subdivision and AMT's Ste-Agathe Subdivision.
AMT 1357 Now in Service
AMT 1358 Now in Service
AMT 1359 Now
in Service
AMT 1360 Now
in service
AMT 1361 Stored in
St-Eustache since late-February 2012.
AMT 1362 Now
in service
AMT 1363 Now in service
AMT 1364 Now in service
AMT 1365 Arrived on
the property May 30th, 2012.
AMT 1366 Arrived on
the property May 14th, 2012.
AMT 1367 Now
in Service
AMT 1368 Now in Service
AMT
1369 Now
in Service
Here again are the Bombardier (BBD) “builder's plate” numbers for
the AMT dual power locomotives:
Three former GO painted F59PH’s have been repainted into the new AMT liveries AMXX
1344 and 1345 are in a stealth gray and blue paint scheme, with AMXX 1341 in a
new white and blue scheme. Ken Goslett snapped this one of a kind new AMT white
and blue paint scheme on F59PH 1341 at Dorval on January 15th. Note
that AMT has finally added the logo to the nose of the F59PH’s. Taken the same
day, Leased RBRX 18551 shows the patched ex-GO scheme.
Michael Berry clicked AMXX 1345 on January 17th. at Montreal West
Station.
AMT placed the following diesels and equipment up for sale ending January 23rd
2013:
AMT GP9u’s 1310, 1312, and 1313. (AMT 1311 is at Exporail), AMT EGU (HEP
Generator) 600, 601, 602, 604, 605, 606. (AMT 603 is at Exporail), and
AMT Hawker-Siddely built ex-GO Transit commuter coaches (68 in total).
AMT Photos:
Shaun Hennessy submitted these AMT train photos all taken at Dorval, QC on
January 3rd with the top one snapped on the 6th, including
leased F59PH’s: MI-Train painted RBRX 18533, and GO-liveried RBRX 18521.
GO TRANSIT NEWS
Edited
by Daniel Dell’Unto: danieldellunto@yahoo.ca
GO News returns next month
Walter Pfefferle shot GO F59PH 560 at Aldershot on October 25th,
2012
TORONTO TRANSIT
COMMISSION
TTC News:
In mid-January new Toronto Rocket (TR) set
5661-5666 was noted in testing service.
Deliveries have slowed, partially because of
labour and parts issues (mentioned in the
January issue of CRO) and as a result there are
still a few mid-70's Hawker Siddeley H5
trainsets in service. To date, no en-masse H6
replacements have begun. Both classes of subway
car are scheduled to be fully replaced by the
new TR's.
New TTC Bombardier LRV 4401 was sighted looking
externally complete at Bombardier's plant in
Thunder Bay. Rumours
are it and 4402 are
scheduled to arrive at the TTC in March of 2012,
with on-road testing expected later in the year.
So far, only TTC 4400 has been delivered,
currently at Hillcrest Shops undergoing
familiarization and evaluation.
The West Coast Express runs between Mission, BC (MP 87.0 CP Cascade Sub) and
Vancouver's Waterfront Station (MP 129.1 CP Cascade Sub Monday to Friday. There
are five trains that travel West from Mission in the morning and the five trains
return to Mission in the Evening.
For further information and schedules please check out the West Coast Express
link
Other than the new fare rates taking place on January 1st, 2013 there
hasn’t been much news on the West Coast Express.
At this time of year weather related problems have caused service disruptions in
the past causing mud slides along the rite of way. So far, so good this year.
WCE VIGNETTES:
WCE 902 pushing in the trailing position arriving at Port Haney Station in July
2006.
WCE Cab Control Car #104 heading west at Pitt River from Pitt Meadows, BC to
Port Coquitlam, BC in Feb 2010.
Another West Coast Express You Tube clip sent by James F. Gilham.
