Canadian Railroads > Narrow-gauge ‘Caribou’ - 50 Years Gone!

It’s 50 years since CN’s narrow-gauge Caribou completed its last run across the Island of Newfoundland between Port-aux-Basques and St. John’s overnight July 2-3 1969. Link to my post over on the Nostalgia Forum:

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,4821743



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/19 02:32 by ghCBNS.

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Interestingly many if the NF210 locomotives were sold to FCAB in Chile where they still soldier on in service in the Atacama desert of northern Chile. The 929 became FCAB 1417 seen here at O'Higgins, Chile in August 2013

WP17



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/19 09:47 by WP17.

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Does anyone know why these locomotives have such tall "skirts" that cover half of the wheel trucks? Newfoundland winter operating conditions?

GN1969 Wrote:
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> Does anyone know why these locomotives have such
> tall "skirts" that cover half of the wheel trucks?
> Newfoundland winter operating conditions?

I often wondered about that.  "Skirts" typically get removed before long to make maintenance easier for shop crews.

But in this case, the skirts cannot be removed.  They are the frame of the locomotive.  I was able to have a close look at the one that is displayed outside the former train station in St. John's and figured it out.  Having the bulk of the frame outside and below the bolster of the trucks likely helps with keeping the centre of gravity lower too.

GTD

Very interesting stuff; saw the linked post as well. Nice job! Those "skirts" sure didn't allow for much light on the trucks, did they? The Chilean example is quite the exposure.
Fred

Might they be to keep snow from the running gear in those wind blown Newfoudland winters!

Mike Bannon
St Catharines, ON