Canadian National
Our CRO Cover shot: Darren Doss beautifully captured CN ES44AC 2898 getting a slow advance-clear "Yellow over Red" signal.
Brian Caswell beautifully captured CN OCS P62391 on November 06, 2023, rolling through Lansing Michigan under the former Grand Trunk Coal Tower led by CN AC44C6M 3309 in the 1950's CNR "Wafer" Livery.
Thomas Bowers clicked Eastbound OCS P623 with CN 3309 at Wakelee, MI on the CN South Bend Subdivision on November 06, at 10:00am.
Grumpy captured (Unserviceable) Retired and soon to be donated CN E9Au 103 positioned on the point of the 2023 CN Santa train consist tied down at the Homewood Campus (in Homewood IL), on November 23, 2023. The engine and train will not be running off the property this year and was only prepared for the employees and their families for CN's special Sunday Thanksgiving Open House with the Santa Train on display. There are tentative plans to once again run the CN Santa Train in Illinois in 2025, in the works. The following is the entire consist:
• CN 103
• CN 382380 Hopper
• CN 187103 Coil Car
• IC 100186 Flat Car
• CN 382507 Hopper
• IC 101314 Champlain Coach "Santa Car"
• CN 1059 Tawaw Sleeper "Warm Up Car"
HOT OFF THE PRESS: CN 5689 and siblings new CABS Muncie IL Insp02 Nov 2023. Note the cabs appear to retain their Teardrop Windscreens, which would be a first in the program. As we went to press in Late-November there were seven locomotives inside in gray primer colour each at various stages of the PR's CN SD75IACC Rebuild Program. However, none were complete.
This earlier photo by Chris Allen taken back in July 2023, shows the same unit (retired CN SD75i 5689), while still at the Progress Rail shop in Muncie, IN, following her Tear Down, Primer and some modifications.
On November 18, 2023, another modified CN SD75I up from Mayfield, KY, (CN 5679) was shot by Overland-Owner Brian Marsh at the Progress Rail interchange in Muncie, Indiana for Completion.
WABTEC Newest CN AC44C6M LOCOMOTIVE TRACE:
(As of November 27, 2023)
• CN 3325 (ex-2589) A Inter.Clearing,IL November 22
• CN 3326 (ex-2590) A Duluth,Mn 03:36am
• CN 3327 (ex-2581) D Edson,AB 12:01pm
• CN 3328 (ex-2574) A Kennean,Mn 12:40am
• CN 3329 (ex-2587) A Fort St-John,BC November 26
• CN 3330 (ex-2626) A Prince George,BC 03:09am
• CN 3331 (ex-2576) A Prince Rupert,BC November 26
• CN 3332 (ex-2601) D Hearst,ON November 27 at 11:02am
• CN 3333 (ex-2602) D Watrous,SK 11:14am
• CN 3334 (ex-2577) A Inter.Unknown,IL 14:19pm
• CN 3335 (ex-2565) A Jasper,AB 15:57pm
• CN 3336 D Peterson,BC 15:16pm
• CN 3337 A Edson,AB 15:51pm
• CN 3338 D Proctor,Mn 16:10pm
• CN 3339 A Stevens Point,WI 03:07am
• CN 3340 A Blair,WI November 26
• CN 3341 D Watrous,SK 11:14am
• CN 3342 D Winnipeg,MB 16:27pm
• CN 3343 A Fulton,KY 16:22pm
• CN 3344 D Boston Bar,BC 14:43pm
• CN 3345 A Montreal,Qc 04:30am
• CN 3346 A Prince Rupert,BC November 26
• CN 3347 A Mountain Iron,Mn 08:-01am
• CN 3348 D Edson,AB 12:01pm
• CN 3349 A Inter.Memphis.TN November 23.
Not even 2 weeks on the CN roster, on November 16, 2023, Jack Casey captured the first Southbound revenue trip of CN AC44C6M 3344 glistening in a partly sunny day in Ranier (located just east of International Falls, MN), while waiting on a crew change for CN A438.
In Wainwright, AB, CN 3330 and brand new AC44C6M CN 3341, were shot by Kevin Andrew Cameron, along with CN 3332 leading a short CN 402 on November 13, 2023, in the afternoon spotting cars at bungee.
CN AC44AC6 3346 on her first run eastbound was shot by Ron Visockis in Belleville, ON on Nov 20-2023
CN AC44C6M 3346 on November 20, in Nappanee, ON by John Peakman.
CN's two Veterans-painted ET44ACs (CN 3015 & CN 3233), were shot by Aaron C. Schlegel outside the shop in Woodcrest, in Homewood, IL. They were there for servicing after their round trip on the Q 194 /195 turn. The pair had been coupled together for the observance of Veteran's Day (on November 11th).
Illinois Central EMD conventional Cabs (IC SD70 1012 and IC GP40R 3117) were captured by Darren Doss by the Diesel Shop in Memphis, TN, on November 22, 2023.
Hector Muñoz was surprised by catching this Brand-new Ore Jenny DMIR 8026, released from Trinity Rail in Sabinas Coahuila, Mexico on November 22. It is the first one heading to the United States through the border of Ferromex Piedras Negras, Coahuila-Eagle Pass, Texas. CN are looking at acquiring a quantity of new cars to update the DMIR ore car fleet.
"RETIRED CN Box Cab" On The Move: On November 12, 2023, CN Box Cab 6714 (nee-Canadian Northern 604, Z-1a, GE, 1917) was moved from its place on the display track near North Road in East Windsor, Connecticut at the Connecticut Trolley Museum on November 12, 2023, culminating the long term effort to find a better home for the veteran electric. After serving over seven decades transporting the commuters of Montreal, the locomotive was retired and brought to the museum. Its acquisition was during a different era in the museum's curation, and the decision was made to find a better home. The Halton County Radial Railway in Rockwood, Ontario stepped forward to adopt the motor. The locomotive was moved by Oshawa Railways Steeple Cab Electric Locomotive No. 18 (Baldwin/Westinghouse, 1918) making its first run since 2006, assisted by Hartford Electric Light Co. 1 (GE, 25T, GE, 1949). Part 2 of this post to follow will show the move of the locomotive from rails to truck and its departure. - with Robert Brogle and Gina Maria A.
Byron Kuehl wrote… An interesting turn of events! I was working and living at White River Jct Vermont when it headed south for Connecticut July 23, 1996, on New England Central RR. Thought it was odd for a Canadian motor to be showcased in Connecticut...now we're grateful to see her going back home.
We assume when restored she will look as good as sibling CN 6710 Restored in Deux Montagnes QC. (Martin Martin photo - WHB)
OUR FACEBOOK COVER SHOT Darren Doss captured this impressive CN power Line-Up in Memphis, TN on November 16th: CN 3874, CN 8881, CN 8949, CN 3206, and GTW 6227.
IC GP38-2 9627 was shot in Harrisson Yard in Memphis, TN, by Darren Doss on November 16, 2023. She was built by EMD in Lagrange, IL, back in December 1974, as Illinois Central Gulf (ICG 9627).
Some Illinois-power was spotted by Darren Doss in Memphis, TN, by the Harrison Yard Diesel Shop including IC 1033 and EJE 656 on November 16, 2023.
Brian Caswell nicely captured CN E251 in this pan shot as they crossed the Red Cedar River, heading Eastbound in Lansing Michigan with CN 3883 Leading on 11-22-23. (His Camera Settings: 1/15 ISO 100 F11).
Eastbound P263 CN Executive Office Train was shot by Brian Caswell moving through Schoolcraft, Michigan on the CN South Bend Subdivision with the "Wafer" CN ET44AC 3309 leading on June 6, 2023.
On November 7th, 2023, at Morton's Gap, Kentucky, Jim Pearson beautifully shot Canadian National 2858, 2981 and 3806 leading empty coke train B420, as it moved into the cutoff at Morton's Junction, and head north on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. (Camera Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 130).
Richard W. Elleby shot southbound CN taconite train U724 to enroute to Louisiana, rolling past the Manteno Grain Elevator in Manteno, Illinois on the Chicago Subdivision November 12, 2023. This is the former Illinois Central's "Mainline of Mid America" to New Orleans.
In Homewood, IL, Mike Garza captured a road-weary GTW GP38-2 5848 with IC GP38-2 9569 working in Homewood, IL in early November.
Mike took this nice shot of L-503 with CN ES44DC 2270 (Her safety orange nose now-faded) leading in Dixmoor, IL in mid-November.
CN SD70M-2 8866 leads a brightly colour assorted locomotive consist in Blue Island, IL captured by Mike Garza on November 7th, 2023.
Inspector76 submitted this train waiting at South Oaks (located in South Fulton, TN), with CN train A40691-14 and paired CN Liveried SD70's IC 1004 and IC 1037, on November 15, 2023.
CN assignment L58001-15 was shoving northward into customer track MK12 when it struck a tractor trailer at Private crossing, resulting in empty centerbeam flat car GTW 623505 derailing, upright, at mile 24.72 Mackenzie Sub. No injuries. No DG involved. (2023/11/16)
CN assignment YMTS60-15 (with CN 2547, 46L, 0E, 2208T, 3221FT), was pulling westward from track 1 on the intermodal pad at Gordon yard when it derailed, upright, 3 loaded intermodal flat cars (DTTX 646140, and 3 packs DTTX 728593 and DTTX 890402) at mile 2.1 Sussex Sub. No injuries. No DG involved. (2023/11/16)
CN Regina Yard, SK, assignment YRYS31-16 (CN 5351, CN 7265, CN 7065) was shoving a cut of cars into track RC31 when unit CN 7065 derailed but remained upright at mile 93.8 Qu'Appelle Sub. No leaks. No injuries. (2023/11/16)
CN assignment L58821-11 was proceeding Southward when it struck an unoccupied vehicle on Private crossing at mile 172.45 Lac-St-Jean Sub. Owner of the vehicle was still in the vicinity. No injuries. No derailment. No leaks. (2023/11/12)
CN assignment L53241-13 (CN 5648, BNSF 0295, 40L, 18E, 1R, 3759T, 6046FT) was proceeding Southward when it struck a vehicle at Public Crossing equipped with FL&B at mile 5.12 Letellier Sub. Lone occupant of vehicle reportedly sustained minor injuries. (2023/11/13)
CN GROWS LARGER:
On November 01, 2023, Genesee & Wyoming Inc, entered into a partnership with CN which involved G&W's Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway (CBNS). CN would acquire a stake in CBNS and manage interline customer movements on 145 route-miles, while a G&W subsidiary will continue to operate the CBNS line from Truro to Point Tupper, Nova Scotia. CBNS interchanges with CN's main line on the Class I's Springhill Subdivision at Truro. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
This acquisition includes 145-miles of track, CN officials said in their press release. In addition to acquiring a stake in CBNS — which interchanges with CN in Truro, Nova Scotia — the Class I will manage interline movements on the line. CN's stake is only for Truro to Point Tupper. (Apparently, the G&W subsidiary will continue to operate the CBNS line from Truro to Point Tupper, Nova Scotia. The Sydney Sub beyond St. Peter's Jct. is NOT included.)
"This partnership will further reinforce CN's presence in eastern Canada where we believe there will be a growing role to play in the competitiveness of North American trade," said Patrick Lortie, CN's senior vice president and chief strategy officer. "It will also enable our network to reach new opportunities in the longer-term, further advancing our strategic agenda of accelerating profitable, sustainable growth." "This partnership fully leverages the expertise of both a local, first- and last-mile railroad and a Class I railway that is part of the broader North American freight-rail network," said Rick McLellan, president of G&W's Canadian operations. "As G&W and CN work together to enhance service for rail-served industries in the Nova Scotia region, customers can continue to rely on the safe and efficient transportation service they have received for more than a decade." Kevin Burkholder snapped this fine photo of CB&NS GP40 3022 in St. Albans, VT.
NEW CN BUSINESS: On November Trigon Pacific Terminals Ltd. (Trigon) made their plans to redevelop a portion of its existing coal facilities at the CN-served Port of Prince Rupert in British Columbia for Canadian LPG (liquified petroleum gas) exports. The proposed Trigon Pacific LPG Project "will create a more diversified, open-market LPG supply chain and much-needed additional export capacity, without the need to develop any new land or build a berth," reported Trigon, a multi-commodity bulk and liquefied gas export terminal that is owned by AMCI Group, Riverside Holdings and the Lax Kw'alaams Band and Metlakatla First Nation. "In repurposing existing infrastructure and developed land, Trigon will add upwards of 120,000 cubic meters of new LPG storage capacity and will provide the lowest cost export opportunity for Canadian propane producers, while maintaining steelmaking coal export volumes."
According to Trigon, the project would use the terminal's existing rail yard, coupled with new rail unloading facilities, to provide complete unit train unloading. Since the company will gain "full use of the LPG loading arms on its existing berth in January 2024, there would be no need to build any additional marine loading infrastructure," it noted. This will allow Trigon's second berth, currently under construction, to be available for other commodities, such as low-carbon hydrogen-as-ammonia.
Preliminary design work is now completed, and operations, (subject to regulatory and other approvals), are expected to start by late 2027. Trigon said it is in "active dialogue" with Canadian producers and overseas customers who are supportive of a new LPG export hub, and that its Indigenous partners, adjacent communities and union "have also indicated their support" of the project. The primary purchase with this project is to transition Trigon's operations to lower carbon products, while providing the best opportunity for Canadian producers to reach market," Trigon CEO Rob Booker said. "With the upcoming ban on thermal coal exports starting in 2030, taking advantage of the available terminal capacity and infrastructure combined with our experience handling propane, the Trigon LPG Project simply makes sense."
CN issued its third-quarter 2023 earnings after Wall Street's closing bell on Oct. 24, reporting declines in revenues and operating income. The results were impacted by "continued weakness in consumer demand, external disruptions and unfavorable fuel surcharge lag," the Canadian Class I said. However, the railroad is "primed for the rebound," according to President and CEO Tracy Robinson. "Our 'Make the Plan, Run the Plan, Sell the Plan' approach continued to perform well, delivering strong customer service despite weak consumer demand as well as external challenges," Robinson said. "As volumes continue to improve, we are well positioned to deliver incremental operating leverage. We remain confident in our ability to accelerate sustainable, profitable growth in 2024 through 2026."
3Q23 Financial Performance: For CN, third-quarter 2023 revenues came in at C$3.987 billion, down 12% or C$526 million, compared with the prior-year period's C$4.513 billion. The railroad said the decrease was "mainly due to lower fuel surcharge revenues as a result of lower fuel prices, lower volumes of intermodal, crude oil and forest products, primarily as a result of lower demand for freight services to move consumer goods and the negative impact of the pacific coast dock workers strike, unfavorable crude oil price spreads and weaker market conditions for lumber and panels as well as lower ancillary services including container storage; partly offset by freight rate increases, higher volumes of Canadian grain and potash and the positive translation impact of a weaker Canadian dollar." For the first nine months of 2023, revenues were C$12.357 billion, a fall-off of 2% or C$208 million from the same point last year. Operating income for third-quarter 2023 was C$1.517 billion, down 21% or C$415 million from the same quarter last year. For the first nine months of 2023, it was C$4.779 billion, down 3% or C$149 million.
For the three months ended Sept. 30, 2023, CN's operating ratio was 62.0%, an increase of 4.8 points over the same quarter last year. For the first nine months of the year, it was 61.3%, up 0.5 points from the same period in 2022 or up 0.7 points on an adjusted basis.
Diluted earnings per share (EPS) came in at C$1.69 for third-quarter 2023, a decrease of 21% from 2022, and C$5.27 for the first nine months of 2023, a decrease of 1% from the same period in 2022 or a decrease of 2% on an adjusted basis. CN reported third-quarter 2023 operating expenses of C$2.470 billion, down 4% or C$111 million from third-quarter 2022's C$2.581 billion, which the railroad said was "mainly due to lower fuel prices; partly offset by the negative translation impact of a weaker Canadian dollar." Carloads for the quarter (in thousands) were 1,326, down 10% from 1,469 in third-quarter 2022. For the first nine-months of 2023, they came in at 4,048, down 6% from 4,289 in the year-earlier period.
The 3Q23 Operating Performance: CN reported an injury frequency rate of 1.07 (per 200,000 person hours) for third-quarter 2023, a deterioration of 6% from third-quarter 2022, and 1.02 (per 200,000 person hours) for the first nine months of 2023, an improvement of 11% from the same period last year. The railroad's accident rate for the quarter was 1.86 (per million train miles), a 10% deterioration from 2022, and 1.76 (per million train miles) for the first nine months of 2023, a 16% improvement from 2022.
A CHANGE IN CN'S SCHEDULED OPERATION: Overall, CN's Rail operations were modified and improved in 2023, and CN began performing better in every service metric even though the Class I has encountered a cold and snowy winter, excessive summer heat, wildfires, a West Coast port strike in Canada and a soft North American economy. CN's troubles began two years ago with Severe weather, a supply-chain shift or a sudden demand swing sometimes caused some service metrics to erode. CN struggled with operational performance. Despite employing what was believed at the time to be a solid scheduled railroading plan, unexpected events and marketplace changes, tended to disrupt operations.
CN revamped and revitalized scheduled railroading model: Make the plan, run the plan, and sell the plan. Those orders seem simple — and generally describe how any railroad carries out an operating plan — but the thinking behind them, the ongoing execution, and the efforts to perfect the steps ahead are anything but.
CN's Change was to run a more tightly scheduled operation so the railroad can move assets quickly and efficiently, serve customers more consistently and drive business growth initiatives. The new model has shifted the railroad away from a long-train strategy that had been in place for several years and back toward a disciplined scheduled railroading operation. That's been no easy task given the workforce and network needed some retooling or retraining for scheduled railroading, which CN began using in the 1990s. Scheduling, resources and asset optimization are highly considered when developing a plan. It needs to incorporate the characteristics of CN's bulk traffic-heavy western region, consumer goods-centric eastern region and manifest traffic-dominant southern region. PHOTO: Wabtec Rebuilt AC44C6M (CN 3346) was shot on November 20 in Nappanee, ON, by John Peakman.
The service design team is responsible for developing the plan and monitoring its effectiveness in conjunction with the transportation, intermodal, sales and marketing, human resources and other departments. One main goal is to avoid operating trains that are too long to fit on sidings so key routes don't get blocked by long trains.
"The way this model works on our railroad is that the plan is created at the center. We look at all the volume across the network and all the parameters," said CN President and CEO Tracy Robinson during investor day. Then, a plan is crafted that can optimize the entire network instead of meeting the operating needs of individual yards and facilities. And the plan is the plan — there is no backup or alternative. "The plan is sacred," said Robinson. "We're not going to change how we operate the network in the face of weather and volume challenges." If anything goes off kilter, the organization now is better aligned to get back on plan and move forward. Tactical measures are not employed to address operational problems — instead, the plan goes back to the service design team to be fixed at the network level, said Robinson. "So, this is what we mean when we say scheduled railroading. And over the last year, we've made some pretty impressive gains," she said. "Our customer service improved dramatically and is much more consistent. Our assets are moving faster." And when cars move more quickly, additional capacity is created, which can be sold at a lower incremental cost.
The Mississippi Port Authority at Gulfport, MS will soon be testing new CN intermodal service:
Canadian National signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport and Ports America to establish a new intermodal service. The trial run of the service will launch in the coming weeks, CN officials said in a press release. The new service from the Port of Gulfport in Mississippi aims to offer shippers more options for moving refrigerated and dry import or export goods between the U.S. Midwest and Canada.
move goods between the Gulf Coast, U.S. Midwest and Canada. By working collaboratively with partners, CN will continue to maximize the use of its capacity in its southern network to accelerate sustainable, profitable growth," said Dan Bresolin, CN's vice president of intermodal. The goals of the MOU include identification and development of a best practices through productivity improvements for the supply chain, and the collaboration in implementing those supply chain improvements to leverage and increase market share, CN officials said. "With CN being the industry leader in refrigerated service and the Port of Gulfport being one of the largest importers of green fruit in the United States, we see this as a natural fit with great potential," said John Nass, executive director and CEO at the Port of Gulfport.
THE FIRST CN CROWLY INTERMODAL: CN's very first Train from Chicago (Homewood, IL), southbound and arriving at the Port of Gulfport, Mississippi occurred last night (November 14, 2023), led by CN SD70M-2 8863 (and a former CREX - CN ES44AC) with a train of mostly Crowly Containers. This new collaboration between Ports America, MPSA and CN, will greatly expand Freight Shipping Traffic in the Gulf of Mexico.
CN's Tracy Robinson Named Railway Age's 2024 Railroader of the Year:
Railway Age's 2024 Railroader of the Year Award, the 61st annual, goes to an experienced and highly respected North American rail industry leader: CN President and Chief Executive Officer Tracy Robinson. "Tracy Robinson continues the sweeping leadership evolution the railroad industry has been undergoing for the past few years," said Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono. "She continues to break new ground, bringing fresh ideas and a perspective based on change, growth and service. Tracy is leading CN during challenging times, strengthening and transforming the company and solidifying its position in the North American and global supply chains. While she brought many years of experience to CN, including leadership positions at Canadian Pacific and in Canada's energy sector, she is dedicated to developing a new generation of railroaders from diverse backgrounds."
BIO: Tracy Robinson was named President and CEO of CN in February 2022 following more than 30 years in Canada's railroad and energy industries. She joined CN from TC Energy, where she was Executive Vice President, and President of Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines and Coastal GasLink. Prior to joining TC Energy, Tracy spent 27 years at Canadian Pacific, including executive roles spanning Commercial, Operations and Finance. Tracy holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business and a Batchelor of Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan. Among many honors, she was named 2023 New CEO of the Year by The Globe and Mail Report on Business magazine.
CN C40-8 2040 chugs M U789 up at track speed on the main line, passing a cut of boxcars in the storage yard. The Biwabik Yard back in its heyday, would have been full of ore cars and switch jobs when the natural ore mines in the area were producing.
After finishing their work at Keenan yard, CN SD60 5419 begins to pull south for Proctor as L567 comes to a stop in the fog preparing to do its work at Keenan. Todd M. took this great shot at Forbes, Minnesota, on October 20, 2023.
Taken beneath the CN Local mixed freight by Brian Caswell as she rolled through downtown Chicago with IC SD70 1037 leading a two-unit train. Here, they roll under the CTA L-train rails, just East of State Street and 16th, on October 14, 2023.
DMIR SD40T-3 408 was beautifully captured by Robby Gragg in Culver, Minnesota. Rolling over CN Missabe Subdivision on October 6, 2023.
On a gorgeous day in Montreal, QC, CN GP9RM 4115, and CN GP38-2 4715 were captured by Railfan Charles leading local train (CN 522), departing off the Ste-Hyacinthe Sub at Southwark Yard, on October 19, 2023.
CN ET44AC 3102 and IC SD70 1028 were captured by Darren Doss in Harrison Yard in Memphis, TN, on October 24, 2023.
Nice rear-ends! This group of CN owned-Locomotives (IC GP40R 3107 - GTW GP38-2 4930 - CN ES44DC 2247) were lined up and shoot by Darren Doss tied down inside CN Harrison Yard in Memphis, Tennessee, on November 02, 2023.
The daily freight (CN 324) from Taschereau Yard in Montreal is in Alburgh, VT, on the New England Central heading southbound to St. Alban's, and was captured by Ian Stronach on June 02, 2019. Led by CN C44-9WL 2511, the train is moving slowly as it is entering the trestle across the top of Lake Champlain, NY, that had a 10-mph speed restriction.
Ron Visockis' catch of the day Tuesday, October 3, 2023: Rebuilt GP39E (BNSF 2926) and GP40-2LW CN 9450 heading Westbound on local 518 in Trenton, ON.
At Sundown, CN SD70M-2 8009 was captured by Railfan Charles leading CN 324 out of Southwark Yard and southbound on October 15.
Under the windsock blowing easterly, Victor Planché captured CN 522 departing Southwark Yard (south of Montreal) onto the CN Ste-Hyacinthe Sub, yesterday afternoon (October 20, 2023), led by CN SD70M-2 8936.
CN 120 was shot by Matt Landry in some nice morning light led by CN ES44AC 3890 at Springhill Jct, Nova Scotia, on October 12, 2023. Matt's second photo of the same train on the same day, rounding the bend east of Maccan, Nova Scotia.
CN RDC2 Railliner was shot in Edmonton 1968 by Terry Jutti.
Wearing the 1995-era CN North America livery, GMD-built CN SD40-2W 5294 was shot in Pt. Mann Yard, BC, by Deane Motis on December 7, 2002.
GE C40-8 CN 2120 (ex-UP 9085; nee-CNW 8573), was shot in July 2016, in Toronto MacMillan Yard by Phil Hall.
CN SD75i 5703 and CN C40-8M 2402 were shot Northbound at North Road crossing, at Mile 146.1 of the CN New Westminster Sub on October 17, 2015 The scanner chat had the CN making a local move from their Thornton Yard in Surrey to the Lynn Creek Yard over on the North Shore, so I had time to get in place. In the first few shots you see the CN main line on the right, and the BNSF New Yard on the left. The signal bridge facing away from me is for Lake City behind me on the other side of the overpass. The signal bridge in the distance lit up all Red is for Brunette to Braid. Generally, trains stopped here, then proceeded South once the Fraser River Bridge Tender gives them the okay to proceed on signal indication.
The train is powered by CN 5703 (GMD SD75I), and CN 2402 (GE Dash 8-40CM). The 2402 is off the CN roster now. A Skytrain four car set of Mark II cars photobombs overhead in the distance heading North from the Braid Street Station just out of view to the right. Down below, a brightly adorned boxcar passes, and I left. Currently, this whole area is a hotbed of construction activity for new condos, where I parked, and a new Skytrain maintenance facility just South of the yard. (Andy Cassidy Photos).
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