Old Time Trains

CPR London Division

Photograph gallery 4

UP 1624 Alco FA1 leads eastbound freight at Streetsville. One of 15 (7 A and 8 B) units leased in 1963 from UP to handle unprecedented export grain traffic to Russia. Still equipped with manual transition these units were rated at 10% tonnage reduction and operated only in solid UP consists. These diesels were pulled out of storage at Cheyenne, Wyoming. They kept steam dead on the CPR. The 1956 green and white Meteor belonged to second hours (afternoon shift) operator Bill Miller.
February 4, 1964 William E. Miller/William D. Miller Collection.

There were about 60 steam locomotives (many with low/nil mileage) held for emergency and it had been considered to return many to service on the Algoma Division where steam facilities had been retained. This would have resulted in three pools of motive power (one of steam and diesel on either side) which would have affected utilization. The decision went against steam when these UP units built in 1947 stored for scrapping became available. Thus began a long history of leased diesels from many sources and in varying condition which led to the expression "Rent-a-Wreck".

A pair of MLW M630's 4500-4503 lead a westbound freight through Guelph Junction. October 1969. Dave Burroughs
4500 was preserved and later returned to service on a US shortline.

4501-5018-4221 westbound through the Junction. October 1969. Dave Burroughs

Brand new SD40-2 Locotrol units 5806 and 5807 are being sanded for the first time in Quebec Street Yard, London
on the day of delivery from GMD January 26, 1974 Note Business Car 24 in the background. Al Howlett

6616 S11 660 HP MLW #82558 6/1959

London, March 23, 1973 Al Howlett

4015 was officially a model FA-1 1500 hp A unit which along with its B unit cabless version were known by "covered wagons" because access to their engine rooms was covered, thus weather protected, something appreciated by engine crews. One of twenty MLW A units (20 B units) and 8 Alco A units (4 B units), all were later upgraded to 1600 hp. MLW #77310 8/1950 Most were traded in to MLW on an order for 51 Century C-424 2400 hp road switchers numbered in 4200 series.

4050 FA2 1600 HP MLW #77720 9/1951

4090 FA-2 1600 HP MLW #79157 9/1953 and 8441 RS-3 1600 HP MLW #81006 5/1954

A filthy RS-18 1800 HP road switcher MLW #82454 5/1958

4202 (MLW 84840 3/1965) and another C424 part of a 50 unit order, in Quebec Street yard. Frank Smeltzer

Note: 4202 was retired 12/18/1994 following a fire and block damage ($350,000) on 504-15.

8780-4235-4237 RS-18 and two C-424's London shop track May 18, 1885 Aleks Stefanovic

RS-18u 1817 remanufactured 5/1983 ex 8753 MLW 82247 3/1958 London shop track 8/12/1990 Alan Gaines

Extra 8136 with Multimark on cab and number on carbody. Windsor 7/6/1976 Paul McGrane Collection

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