Canadian Railroads > GMD-1us on CN 514

For the past few months there's been at least two (for a few weeks three) GMD-1us assigned to London, Ontario.  Often, but not always, they're set off by CN 439 early Saturday morning in Chatham for use on the Saturday-only local CN 514.  They've been the object of my affection since arriving in London, however unfortunate circumstance like leaving before the crew arrived, showing up long after the crew went to work, bad intel., and bad weather led to them aluding me until last Saturday (March 21).  Given the state of the world right now I was hesitant to embark on yet another journey to Chatham, but good weather and good intel swayed me to go.  With food and water packed to avoid public places I figured there'd be no better place to social distance then the farmlands of Southern Ontario.

Photo 1 - I arrived in Chatham and found the GMD-1us sitting in the siding with a whole lot of cars.  Good news.  The crew arrived about 08:40 and soon went to work switching out their train.
Photo 2 - with their train of hoppers for Thamesville and Blenheim in tow, the pair of GMD-1us curve on to the former C&O Sarnia Sub. for the 10 mph trundle to Blenheim.  They would set off the Thamesville cars before departing for Blenheim.
Photo 3 - the sun appears as CN 514 heads south on the Sarnia Spur with 9 empties for ADM.

Rob Smith
Hamilton, ON



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/28/20 18:01 by DundasMP23.

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Photo 4 - after setting off the 9 hoppers at ADM in Blenheim, the units have run around their train and prepare to back in to the siding to lift one load.
Photo 5 - now in Thamesville, 514 has set off five hoppers at one elevator and are running around seven other hoppers to set off at the elevator in behind 
Photo 6 - with their work complete, 514 blasts off from Thamesville with the one load from Blenheim and an empty lifted in Thamesville.

I'm glad I went because a few days later the two were split up.  Today was rainy so I'm glad everything came together last week.  It was probably my last outing for a while.

Stay safe.  We're all in this together.

Rob Smith
Hamilton, ON



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/28/20 17:37 by DundasMP23.

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very nice Rob peristance pays off
Bill Turner
Hamilton Ont

Terrific photos, thanks for sharing. Nice the GMD-1's are still earning their keep!

Brian N.

Good hunting, excellent report. Very utilitarian looking beasts.
t4p.

DundasMP23 Wrote:
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> Photo 3 - the sun appears as CN 514 heads south on
> the Sarnia Spur with 9 empties for ADM.

Wow, that sand ballast remnds me of the old DAR.  Almost looks like a beach.

It's great to see GMD-1s working.  It's been almost 20 years since they were regulars here in Halifax.

GTD

Well done, you! The sun sure cooperated as well. Those are great-looking locomotives.
Fred

An amazing recent blast from the past. Didn't even know any were in service.
JB

Nice pics!!

The GMD1s and the Sarnia Spur look like the perfect match! Excellent pictures and story.

Jim

Attaboy !!