Canadian Railroads > MLW Monday - RS and Geep for Rebuild on Ottawa Wayfreight

Many years ago, and for many years, CP ran daily wayfreight #85 from Montreal to Ottawa via the Lachute Sub on the north shore of the Ottawa River. It usually arrived in Ottawa around noon, or into mid-afternoon. It was almost exclusively powered by MLW units, but this particular day had what for me was an exciting change to the lash-up - a GP9! On September 21, 1984, at 1312, RS-18 8784 is leading GP9 8487 up to the diamond crossing the Beachburg Sub (at this point, the passenger line west of Ottawa's station). There are ten cars plus the van in the consist. Working back from the train, you can see the Heron Road overpass, Riverside Drive overpass, and the Arts Tower (now the Davidson Dunton Arts Tower?) of Carleton University. In the mid- to late-80s, it became a bit more common to see single Geeps in the consist. I believe they were moved east in preparation for rebuilding at St. Luc (others were done at Ogden; the RS-18u rebuild rogram was exclusively done at St. Luc, I think).
Fred

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Well done - You chose a great scene for this photo.
Bob

Great photo and narrative, you relive a part of history with every photo. I wonder if the future will be as entertaining with endless shots of filthy GE's!

Brian N.