Canadian Railroads > MLW S-12's alive in the Maritimes, 1970's

MLW built the S-12 switchers in 1958 with Alco 539 engines, a very old design that had been superseded by both the 244 and 251 engine.

The explanation I heard was that they were to be assigned to John Street shops in Moncton NB, which was also home to a fleet a MLW RSC-17 light road switchers which also had 539 engines, so the switchers could share spare parts with that fleet.

In the 1950's, a new freight yard was built at Moncton, Gordon yard and the first image shows an S-12 and crew at this yard in 1970.

The second shot shows an S-12 handling a short gypsum train in the cut at Halifax in 1970.

The third shows an S-12 in the uptown yard in Moncton in 1975. Note the CN mechanical reefers under repair in the background

Great photos, that 2nd shot is a great location for photos!
Brian N.

Wasn't the 539 engine much more reliable then the 244?

Thanks for the photos.  Moncton in the 70s was an amazing place for railfanning - lots of activity and a variety of locations.

PHall Wrote:
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> Wasn't the 539 engine much more reliable then the
> 244?. 

I have heard so