VIA Rail Canada

Pre-VIA paint explained

Some early views of MLW "Alcos" doing what they did best. Smoking it up!

Sure looks like one heck of long locomotive! E8A 1898 just renumbered (6/80 ex VIA 1800) nee CP 1800 acq. 9/28/78.
One of only two VIA E units. It made its last run on #1 Canadian arriving Calgary May 26, 1982. 1899 likewise June 7th. Both were retired and sold back to the CPR where they were dismantled for parts (having had major engine upgrades). Unfortunately, efforts to preserve one unit were not successful and both were scrapped thus ending a unique career.

Only Road Switcher on VIA. It was turned over by CPR to fulfill requirements for a certain quantity of passenger units.
RS-10 1600hp MLW #81484 2/56
Planned to be re-numbered as 3160 in the CN number system as were all other VIA units, it didn't last long, in fact, it was just a month away from a crankshaft failure on May 31st. working #2 at Kenora, ON when this photograph was taken in
White River, ON on April 30, 1981. Photo below compares colour photography results of same unit. Winnipeg 7/79

1418 GMD FP7A (ex CP 1418, nee 4060) with CP 8477 MLW RS-10 and 1898.
Presently on display at Medicine Hat, AB CPR station as CP 1418 along with 1424.
Story about how these photos got here.