Canadian Pacific coal train power?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi everyone:

I have acquired a fleet of Canadian Pacific 34’ 2 bay coal hoppers painted black with the script logo. I am modelling the late 50’s so the script logo is a bit of a stretch but I can live with that.

My question is: What would have pulled CP’s coal trains during that era? Also, for future reference, where would I find that info? I have found the CP roster but I don’t recall it giving much information on what the locomotives were used for.

Thanks

Dave

2

Dave,

A lot of info here. I only read a little bit, but in 1929, they were using 2-10-4’s. Hope the site help’s some:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Pacific_Railway_in_British_Columbia

Frank

3

Gidday Dave , third photo down…

http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/photos/cpr_steam/2800.htm

a little bigger than your critter.[;)]

Cheers, the Bear.

4

Double post[:$]

5

Thanks Frank and JaBear

I was actually thinking of diesel power because I believe the CP script logo on the coal cars wasn’t introduced until after steam was off the roster. However, now you have me thinking that the black coal hoppers would look pretty good behind a 4-6-4 too. Hmmmm.

Dave

6

Hi Dave:

CP really didn’t have any power specifically assigned to coal service until the unit trains came along about 1970. Prior to 1970 it was whatever was available in the freight fleet.

Out west, it was mostly GMD built road power; GP7s, GP9s and a few FP7s and F7Bs not in passenger service. Some of the small fleet of Fairbanks-Morse locomotives usually found on the Kootenay and Kettle Valley divisions in BC(“southern mainline”) found their way out of their usual territory and mixed it up with the GMDs. These would be the various C-Liner As and Bs (including passenger equipped units), H-16-44s and even the H-24-66s (Train Masters). On the prairies the Alco/MLWs were present from time to time. Alco/MLW road power seldom made it through BC to Vancouver though by the late 1950s.

Back east (i.e. east of Winnipeg) Alco/MLWs road power was around in large numbers; RS2, RS3, RS10, RS18, FA1, FA2 (including passenger versions). The further east you went, the more it was dominated by Alco/MLW, with GMDs still reasonably common in Ontario.

Switchers were a different story, with GMD and Alco switchers mixed around fairly freely.

HTH,

Mike MacLatchy

7

Mike:

Thank you for the very detailed answer! I have several of the locomotives that you mention already but I will have to keep my eyes open for a Geep or two.

Dave

8

Hi Dave

I read an article online that said and showed Trainmasters hauling coal and other Gondola trains. I’ve been trying to find it and may yet. I think it was an CP Historical Sociaty Article.

I have two Atlas Trainmasters and they pull like nobody’s business. I have a bunch of Athearn cars with the script. They will look a lot better when I get around to mucking them up a bit.

9

I think you will also find that the 2-bay hoppers were usually mixed with other general freight rather than in solid coal trains, especially in your era. Of course you would get blocks of multiple cars but loose car railroading was the normal, unit trains were still in the future.

I will confirm what others have said about locomotives.

John

10

Brent:

Thanks for the information on the Trainmasters.

John:

Short cuts of coal cars would suit my layout plans perfectly. My coal loading spur will only take 3 or 4 cars at a time.

Interesting information. Thanks.

Dave