Ever since the CN takeover, I cannot find out anything online about what happened to BC Rail’s C44-9W fleet. Are they still in service? Have they been repainted? If not, what livery is more common–the red/white/blue or the all blue?
I have pictures of 4645 as the lead unit on a northbound in Lillooet in May 2006 as well as an unknown number as the second unit, also in a northbound in Lillooet in May (photo below). Both are in solid blue.
I was in Lillooet in May and September 2006 for work, as well as going north to Prince George in August. I did not see any CN painted units, all where still BC Rail, mostly blue/white/red but the odd blue one and an ex-ATSF.
CN has not repainted any of the BC Rail units yet.
It was nice to see no incursion of the CN units while on my trips, just like they did not exists, just solid stings of BCR locos.
Ex BCR units are going strong on the south end of the line as well - All units noted in Squamish over the past few weeks have be dash 8,s or C44-9,s - except last weekend when a CN unit was noted at Squamish yard – too far away to note number .
I was working north of PG in August this summer. A fair amount of mixed CN/BCR power heading north out of Prince George heading towards Dawson Creek and Tumbler.