03-10-2011, 10:34 AM
In the late 1930s, CNR was again looking to “experiment” with diesel power, building on its earlier work with 9000 & 9001 – the road’s first boxcab diesels – over a decade before. To this end, they acquired an experimental/demonstrator ALCO RS-1* from the New York Central and leased it at a favourable rate to their affiliate, the Ottawa, Algonquin & Georgian Bay Railway. This was done partly to keep CNR’s relationship with the coal industry smooth, and partly so if it was a failure OA&GB could be blamed.
In order to keep the project low-profile, CNR commissioned the EG&E shops at Lowbanks to prepare the RS-1 for service. The EG&E was chosen due to its rural location (CNR’s main shops were all in urban areas – Stratford, London, Toronto), and its familiarity with CNR practices. Staff at the EG&E shops are widely known for their meticulous work, excellent attention to detail, and generally going “above and beyond”.
Here are some shots of OA&GB RS-1 910 stretching her legs on EG&E trackage near Lowbanks prior to delivery to the OA&GB in Ottawa. The CNR family connection is evident in the paint scheme, but the OA&GB name is prominent on the long hood. As per CNR practice, 910 runs long hood forward.
Exiting the shops
[albumimg]3626[/albumimg]
Crossing the turntable
[albumimg]3624[/albumimg]
With a consist
[albumimg]3625[/albumimg]
Flying the white flags of an "extra", double-heading with Erie Northshore steam power
[albumimg]3627[/albumimg]
[albumimg]3628[/albumimg]
*The inservice date for the RS-1 is generally agreed to be 1941, but what is less well known
is that this test unit was shopped around to some northeastern roads in the US and the CNR in order to gauge interest. In the end CNR did not buy any, actually scrapping their diesel boxcabs 9000/9001 and reverting to steam until the late 50s/early 60s. CNR affiliate line Grand Trunk Western acquired two RS-1s. The ultimate fate of the OA&GB unit is not clear.
Andrew
In order to keep the project low-profile, CNR commissioned the EG&E shops at Lowbanks to prepare the RS-1 for service. The EG&E was chosen due to its rural location (CNR’s main shops were all in urban areas – Stratford, London, Toronto), and its familiarity with CNR practices. Staff at the EG&E shops are widely known for their meticulous work, excellent attention to detail, and generally going “above and beyond”.
Here are some shots of OA&GB RS-1 910 stretching her legs on EG&E trackage near Lowbanks prior to delivery to the OA&GB in Ottawa. The CNR family connection is evident in the paint scheme, but the OA&GB name is prominent on the long hood. As per CNR practice, 910 runs long hood forward.
Exiting the shops
[albumimg]3626[/albumimg]
Crossing the turntable
[albumimg]3624[/albumimg]
With a consist
[albumimg]3625[/albumimg]
Flying the white flags of an "extra", double-heading with Erie Northshore steam power
[albumimg]3627[/albumimg]
[albumimg]3628[/albumimg]
*The inservice date for the RS-1 is generally agreed to be 1941, but what is less well known
is that this test unit was shopped around to some northeastern roads in the US and the CNR in order to gauge interest. In the end CNR did not buy any, actually scrapping their diesel boxcabs 9000/9001 and reverting to steam until the late 50s/early 60s. CNR affiliate line Grand Trunk Western acquired two RS-1s. The ultimate fate of the OA&GB unit is not clear.Andrew