Canadian National, Eh?

quote:

Originally posted by BNSF Mike:
The 100 Ton grain cars are really calling me...Alberta blue, Canada red.....I need them all! I think SD70M-2's are in order....2 of them.

What kind of camera do you use Mike?

Max,

Nikon D90

Ok, thanks for the quick reply by the way.

popsrr,

That's a great looking unit(the 5606). I had one, but I returned it because it was too big for the curves I had at the time(O-36). I wish I could have know that, I would have O-72 curves in the future. I actually still have a couple of video's, sitting on an old hard-drive somewhere, of that unit running on my previous O-36 curves.

I used to have that CN GP38-2, as well, but returned it because of significant heat buildup, on the roof, above the headlight. I always thought the SD40-2's would be great to have.

I forgot to mention your PA's in my last post... awesome, I really like those.

Rick

Fred Branek. I saw two of the EJ&E SD-7's, running light on the southside of Chicago as I was riding the Illini to Carbondale about 2 1/2 years ago. I also saw a Missabe SD-7/9? threesome in the CN Irvington, IL yards about 2 years ago. Irvington is about 5 miles south of Centralia, IL.

Rick thanks. The 5606 is model 20-2610-1 from the 2005 vol 2 Mth offering.

I also have the 20-80006B SD70M-2 in CN. They were a DAP offering from MTH.

Jeff Sohn did the PA's for me. Thanks I think they look cool. I like the SD-90'S that are posted also. I have some GP-38'S IN GTW.
i DO HAVE A VARIETY OF STEAM AND DIESEL BUT WAY MORE DIESEL.

Bill(popsrr),

That 5606 is the SD70M model that I had, and, some trivia here, it was the first model from the Premier line that sported the, then, new 3 axle truck(all wheels were powered)... previous 3 axle trucks only had power going to two axles.

BTW, when they were released, I had my eye on that green GP9, and the North American logo GP40. I see you took the initiative, and made the 90 into a CN unit... excellent. Great collection of Canadian motive power... they're all really nice.

Rick

Rick Thanks for your comments. I have other power equipment in CN that I did not post. I do like my CN lol lol Bill

Bill,

Are your 90's the MTH Premier SD90H-2 versions... do they have a cab that looks like the SD70ACe's or are the cabs similar to your SD70M?

MTH put out multiple versions of EMD's SD90 series locomotives. The last time I saw the latest version of EMD's 90 was back in MTH's 2006 catalog.


Rick

Rick my SD-90's are MTH Premier units and I think the cab looks like the SD-70 CAB.

Bill, wow, those pics bring back some good memories for sure!! What a cool fleet of CN power- that is just unreal- you have a GREAT collection and can't wait to see this on your new layout for sure-

Jeff thanks for the great job on most of my fleet of CN power and rolling stock.

I finally got my computer out of the shop and was able to post pictures for BNSF Mike here.

I was concerend that I may have lost all my stuff on the PC but it looks like it all made it.

As soon at the house and yard are ready for winter Chad , Alax and I will be back in the basement working on the layout. We have a lot of work to do but look forward to it.

Bill,

EMD made numerous versions of it's big 90. The first being the SD9043MAC which was powered by EMD's 4,300 hp 16-710G3-ES prime-mover. That model was originally intended as a short term solution, until EMD's 6000hp GM16V265H motor was perfected. When the H motor was finally operational... it had some problems, and a number of railroads, that were waiting for 6000hp replacement motors, to be installed, decided to keep the more reliable 4,300hp motors instead. A grand total of 410 SD9043MAC's were built, and some are still operating today.

A total of 22 6000hp SD90MAC-H's(the suffix H indicates the 6000hp motor) were built from August 1996 to January 1991.

EMD continued to work on it's big 90, and in June 1998 an updated version was offered called the SD90MAC-H-2(the two is actually a Roman numeral two). Forty-six units were produced from June 1998 to December 1999.

One of the features of the updated model was, a new cab design... the new cab looks similar to the cab of EMD's current SD70ACe.


I believe that, in 2006, MTH offered a model that looked like EMD's SD90MAC-H-2.

Besides the catalog picture, I have not seen one of these offerings/models, in person, in pictures or on video; and I was wondering if the 90's you have posted are MTH's version of the SD90MAC-H 2's?

BTW, what was the original livery prior to CN?


Rick

Why did CN purchase used GE's from UP and BNSF instead of newer power?

Rick I think these were both SD90 MAC's onr was Conrail I think and one was CP Rail with the United way symbol about midway on the body.

I was trying to remember where I saw an EMD Facility but I think it was in London Ont just east of the airport. Do you know if that was the correct location?

Dominic I don't really know why the bought used. I do know they bought 50 new SD70m-2 A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

CN has spent a lot of Capital on building up their intrmodal system with several new yards and the new Port Rupert facility plus several smaller roads to gain better transit times for their traffic.

Maybe with all the spending they they were pressed on capital and just did a refurb on some used units. Thats just a guess.

Bill,

You are correct... London Ontario, Canada is the location for EMD's main North American domestic Locomotive manufacturing plant. Did you get see it?


BTW, do you have any closeup pictures of the fronts of those 90's of yours... that would answer a lot of my questions?

C-liners, as well... not bad. I'm guessing you've pretty much got every model... when it comes to CN.


Rick

Rick when I was working I made a lot of trips into London and I thought I had remered seeing a sign saying EMD just East of the airport. I did not go to the plant but it would have been an intresting tour for sure.

The 90's are the 3rd and 4th units from the right on the middle shelf below



The Zebra striped "C" Liners are nice. I was not a big fan of the green and yellow ones that MTH did a couple of years ago.

Rick I don't know if I have every model but quite a few of them for sure. I have been waiting for the "BLUE" CN from MTH that should ship in Nov or Dec.

Bill,


Nice pick for MTH's new Dash 8... I hope you post some pics when it comes in. The Narrow-Nose Dash-8's are one of the best diesel-electric models made in O gauge. I think the new wide cab models will be just as spectacular.


Thanks for pointing out the front shot of the 90's. I'd say you've got two really nice SD90MAC-H-2 versions... the flat top, just above the headlights, on the short hood confirms this, plus the angular indents on either side of it. Great looking 90's.

Rick

Other than the IC E-Units, did the CN have any? I thought the only E's in Canada were CP's.

And did the CN ever have PA's? I think they were big into FA variants with s/g for passenger service.

CN Flint this spring.

[IMG][/IMG]

First Generation CN E8,s yes...Not second...Mostly ran
"F" Units ....



Jac

parker99,

Nice.


Rick

Wonderful photography guys.

Ralph and Jac nice pictures thanks for sharing.

Dominic I am not aware that CN had PA's but I like the PA's and wanted a set in the CN Zebra stripes.

I like some of the winter pictures also.

Rick I think I am going to like the new CN Dash8-40CW. I understand that the IC only had 12 of these when CN bought the IC. At first I did not like this unit because of the color scheme but it has grown on me

Some misc train items

Bill,


I think the rare blue livery will make a nice addition to your ample collection.
It's also nice to see a little contrast in a M.U. consist.

Re: the photos... very nice, especially the second steam shot. How are those little 0-6-0's re: sound, and operation?


Rick

Really nice discussion here guys. A lot of CN love being shown here. This has always been one of my favorite schemes and loco type.

Rick those little 0 6 0's are great little pullers. I run 25 car consist with them. Nice sound package.

Thanks Bill.... that's a nice looking unit.


superpower,

The first time I've seen a Canadian cab version of CN's SD40-2 modeled in O gauge. I like that unit... who made it?


Rick

We see a not of noodles here in Houston from run throughs!

Dominic what former line are the CN running on? Was it the IC?

Rick I don't think thats an MTH SD40-2 above. Its a good looking unit but the trim color looks more orange than yellow.

MTH 20-2861-1.... SD40-2 FOLLOWS BELOW

quote:

Originally posted by JC642:
Rich, engines aside and I'm sure you've heard this before, from your photos I believe you have the best looking layout I have ever seen.
Museum quality.. Simply a work of art.
Joe

Boy oh boy, I sure agree with JC642

Bill,


I don't think MTH makes the Canadian cab(wide cab) version... their(MTH's) model is of the conventional cab, which is the version you have. I don't know who made/makes the model superpower posted a picture of, but it sure looks nice.


BTW, CN developed it's own wide bodied cab, for it's diesel-electric locomotives, many years ago, when other North American railroads were using the narrow bodied conventional cabs. CN's wide-bodied cab is referred to as the "Canadian Cab". The Canadian Cab was developed, and used, prior to the development of the North American Safety cab. It, the Canadian Cab, was considered to be safer in an impact, provided better protection from the elements(the cold Canadian winters), and was more comfortable/roomy for the train crews.


Rick

Those wide-cab SD40-2W (for wide cab) units are a cool model- here's one with the zebra stripes- which really stands out-