Canadian Railroads > CMQ GP20D May 4, 2015

When Central Maine & Quebec assumed control of the former Montreal Maine & Atlantic they leased a number of GP20D units.  Although GP20D units resemble gensets they are not.  Perhaps surprisingly, the GP20D is a fifteen year old locomotive.

In this video CMQ 710 departs Farnham QC for Newport, VT and a connection with the VRS System.

The GP20D era on the CMQ was shortlived.  This summer they have been replaced by ex-Santa Fe GP35s from Larry's Truck and Electric.

KG



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/15 04:32 by kgmontreal.

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Enjoyable video.How has business been for the CMQ? have they been able to shake off the pall surrounding the MMA?
If I can recall correctly those GP20D's were built by MPI in Boise, ID..  They have Cat prime movers with Kato Main Generators.  They seem to have found homes on lots of lower-speed shortlines.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/15 08:14 by DrLoco.

Traffic on the CMQ has been surprisingly good.  However, some customers that moved freight via the MMA have not returned.  MMA was hauling autoracks of Fords to Saint John, NB. and that traffic has not come back.  That said, CMQ has being moving cars of carbon black and coil steel cars which were never seen on the MMA.  CMQ has even had a few unit trains of windmill towers.

CMQ runs their mainline freights tri-weekly in each direction between Farnham and Brownville Jct.  The trains seem to average about 60 cars into and out of Farnham.  Interchange is complicated by CP's refusal to allow CMQ west of Iberville, QC.  Traditionally MMA ran trains to CP's St Luc yard in Montreal and interchanged with CN at St Jean.  CP will not allow CMQ to do either.   CMQ can only deliver 45 cars at a time to CP due to the length of Iberville siding.

CN and CMQ can only interchange at Sherbrooke requiring CN to deliver the cars to Saint Lawrence & Atlantic at Richmond.  SLA must then haul the cars to Sherbrooke.  Since the G&W took over the SLA they no longer operate daily.  There is no weekend service and therefore no CMQ interchange on those days.

Will the CMQ survive?   It will be a challenge.  But the new owners have spent a fortune on track improvements and seem to be in it for the long haul.

KG



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/15 14:09 by kgmontreal.