Canadian Railroads > An SD kind of Sunday

I was lucky enough to shoot 5 trains today that were led by 5 different SD models.

1-The first train I shot today was CN 120 led by an SD75I, with one more in third (CN 5787, CN 2590 & CN 5719), passing the Ville St-Pierre neighbourhood of Montreal.

2-On the other side of the overpass, CN 149 was doing a lift with spotless CN 5449 (ex-Oakway SD60) leading. I would not be able to stick around to get closer shots of it, as CN X324 passed next with a phenomenal lashup.

3-A late CN X324 had a pair of SD40-2W's leading a Dash8 cowl (CN 5258, CN 5287 & CN 2417) as it passed the overpass. The lead unit had been converted to run on LNG fuel for test purposes a few years back and acquired SD45-like flares in the process. It has since been converted to regular diesel operation.

Michael Berry

---

---

---

4-I decided to give chase and shot it again approaching St-Georges crossing in St-Lambert, on Montreal's south shore. CN X324 is heading to Saint Albans, Vermont and interchange with the NECR.

5-Just before CN X324 passed, I had heard on the scanner that CP was going to Iberville with two SD40-2's bracketing an ex-SOO SD60. I was able to catch them on the return to Montreal later in the afternoon. CP 319 is returning from interchange with the CMQ (successor to the MMA) with a lengthy train powered by three SD's (CP 5833, CP  6225 & CP 5959) as it passes Lasalle yard.

6-Finally on the way back home from Lasalle I detoured to Lachine to shoot CN 527. CN 527 had SD60F CN 5551 and SD70 IC 1008 (in CN paint) with GP9 CN 4114 last out as it approaches Taschereau Yard.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/29/15 18:11 by Mberry.

---

---

---

That natural gas test was only a year or three ago. CN was also supposed to have had a couple of SD70M-2's converted to test various combinations of diesel/nat gas fuel. Are those tests continuing or are they over? Any idea what was learned?

I was out shopping when I had to wait for 149 at the Courcelle Street level crossing. When I was finished, I saw it was still doing stuff at Turcot, so I went to Norman Street and caught it as it headed westward. Note that it has moved over one track.

Ray

---

MICHAEL:
You were indeed lucky!
3 is my favorite.
ALLEN

Cool shots of the 5258.

KG

CPR_4000 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That natural gas test was only a year or three
> ago. CN was also supposed to have had a couple of
> SD70M-2's converted to test various combinations
> of diesel/nat gas fuel. Are those tests continuing
> or are they over? Any idea what was learned?

Not sure what the outcome was but the SD70M's are still fitted for LNG. Although when we had the one, it was running on diesel.

GREAT pics!!