Canadian Railroads > All BC Rail power on Q143

A timely tip lead me to be out trackside on a dismal day for weather in the Vancouver area.  CN Q143 was powered by two former BC Rail C44-9W units (4649 & 4645), both in their original paint schemes.  I caught them at one of my favorite spots for westbounds on CN's Yale sub at ~MP 84.8.  Just before the train arrived, I could hear the engineer reading off a long list of bad order items and defects with the units to the CN mechanical department by radio.  Among the items were several of the cab electronics in 4649 as well as the wheelslip control system, and the 4645 was apparently belching excessive smoke when throttled up.  Hopefully these units get sorted out and back out on the road soon.

 

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Not to mention burned out ditch light. Nice catch.
JB

Will probably send them back out on the next train; locomotive repairs cost money and increase the Operating Ratio.