Was I seeing things???
Yesterday as I was pulling into my motel room here in Needles there was a train heading out of town (west). The second unit of this train was a big 6 axle unit painted in CN colors with the black & white zebra stripes on the long hood. I was a 1/4 mile away and looking into the sun, but I swear it looked like an Alco [%-)]
Could it be ?
If it was the last unit, I would have guessed a hulk being moved DIC. Second unit though? I have no explination for that.
Was it a cowl? A SD50F, SD60F or C40-8M seems more likely.
They retired their last Bombardiers and MLWs in 1998.
It was definately a working unit, I could see the exhaust.
The main things I could see that made me think it was an Alco was the fuel tank was rounded on the sides (1/2 circle as opposed to EMDs 1/4 circle) and the middle front cab and windows portruded to a shollow point.
I don’t think so.
A lease unit maybe?
Quite possible, it was in CN paint but I didn’t see any CN markings.
I hope it comes back through on a eastbound so I can get a picture.
If I was to guess (which I think I’m about to do) I would say it was an opitcal illusion… that it was probably an SD40-2 rent-a-wreck that had its paint somehow modified so in the distance and with the sun in your eyes, it seemed to take on a different shape.
I don’t think it’s possible you saw a working ALCO (or MLW) in CN paint being used on the Transcon. Just doesn’t make sense. (Of course, now someone will post that it was one…LOL).
They retired their last Bombardiers and MLWs in 1998.
Could you tell if it was 4 stroke or 2? I presume it had 4 front windows?
Couldn’t tell the strokes. Yes it had 4 front windows.
Charles, it definately wasn’t a SD40-2. All logic says I was seeing things, but I could clearly see the 2 features I mentioned (tank & cab).
Isn’t there a mine in eastern Canada that ended up with some C636s or C640s? Could it have been one of those?
Yes, there was a mine, I beleive it was Cartier Mining Company. They are isolated, but I think they bought some AC4400s to replace some of the old Alcos, so they could’ve been sold to a leasor. It could’ve also been a slow time at the mine so they brought a few locos down to earn revanue in leasor service. I know Alaska Railroad did that on the North Shore Mining Co. in MN.
Several CN M-636s went to Cartier, but I think Cartier painted them all into black with orange cabs.
Chad – Can’t be… all of the Cartier units that are in the USA are stored in upstate New York. Most aren’t servicable. They were recently sold by the Susquehanna to the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville.
Are you 100% sure it was in CN colors? There are six axle ALCOS/MLWs out there, and I’m wondering if one could have been working its way back from some repair facility, but I’m not aware of any in CN paint. Charles
There was one road operating in Nova Scotia that had old CN units… paint scheme was black…I can’t remember the roadname…
They had a bunch of ex-CN units, some of which weren’t repainted. The book I have says they were retired; maybe they were sold to a leasor?
They were interesting to see on Susie-Q, from what I understand they basically ran them into the ground.
CB&NS had several ex CN C-630M, but I think they were all scrapped.
That was the railroad I was talking about, thanks.
Yes, reddish orange cab & diagonal black & white stripes on the long hood.
Hmmmm… well… um… okay, I have no idea. Sorry.
LB Stevadore/Delta Port Terminal in Long Beach or Stockton get a new one?