GP 7/9's hauling passenger trains? - Printable Version

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GP 7/9's hauling passenger trains? - RobertInOntario - 04-10-2011

Just curious if a Canadian National GP 7 or 9 would have ever hauled passenger trains in the 1950s or '60s or did they only haul freight?

Thanks,
Rob

Re: GP 7/9's hauling passenger trains? - doctorwayne - 04-10-2011

Here's some info on CNR GP7s and GP9s, found with a simple google search, Rob. Wink Goldth

Wayne

Re: GP 7/9's hauling passenger trains? - Squidbait - 04-10-2011

Rob,

I can't give you a definitive answer since most of my resources are buried in the basement, but just off the top of my head:

CN was late to buy GP's, 7s or 9s. They had a large fleet of both freight and passenger F units, and likely didn't see the need to get what were ostensibly roadswitcher units equipped for dedicated passenger service. That is to say, they weren't equipped with steam generators. That said, they did order some Alco/MLW RS10's with steam generators, so go figure. I believe many of the Geeps were geared for higher speeds so they could be used in passenger service.

Many of their GPs, especially the "Prairie Geeps", those with Flexicoil trucks and small fuel tanks, had steam lines so that they could be put between a unit with a steam generator and a passenger consist. These were often run in northern Manitoba on the lines to The Pas and Churchill.

CN did invest in steam generator cars, so that freight units could haul passenger trains. Here's a picture of just such an arrangement.

That said, CN's American subsidiary lines had passenger GPs with steam generators in the short hoods, and "torpedo tube" air tanks on the long hood. Here's an eastern Grand Trunk GP9 at Sherbrooke QC, a Central Vermont GP9 at St. Lambert QC and a pair of http://Grand Trunk Western GP9s in Chicago.

Re: GP 7/9's hauling passenger trains? - RobertInOntario - 04-10-2011

Squidbait Wrote:Rob,

I can't give you a definitive answer since most of my resources are buried in the basement, but just off the top of my head:

CN was late to buy GP's, 7s or 9s. They had a large fleet of both freight and passenger F units, and likely didn't see the need to get what were ostensibly roadswitcher units equipped for dedicated passenger service. That is to say, they weren't equipped with steam generators. That said, they did order some Alco/MLW RS10's with steam generators, so go figure. I believe many of the Geeps were geared for higher speeds so they could be used in passenger service.

Many of their GPs, especially the "Prairie Geeps", those with Flexicoil trucks and small fuel tanks, had steam lines so that they could be put between a unit with a steam generator and a passenger consist. These were often run in northern Manitoba on the lines to The Pas and Churchill.

CN did invest in steam generator cars, so that freight units could haul passenger trains. Here's a picture of just such an arrangement.

That said, CN's American subsidiary lines had passenger GPs with steam generators in the short hoods, and "torpedo tube" air tanks on the long hood. Here's an eastern Grand Trunk GP9 at Sherbrooke QC, a Central Vermont GP9 at St. Lambert QC and a pair of http://Grand Trunk Western GP9s in Chicago.

Thanks, that gives me an idea then. There is a heritage railway near me call the York-Durham Heritage Railway (<!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ydhr.on.ca">www.ydhr.on.ca</a><!-- w -->). They have an RS-11 ex-CNR loco and told me once that some of these were outfitted for passenger service. So that made me wonder if some of the GP 7/9s were as well.

Cheers, Rob

Re: GP 7/9's hauling passenger trains? - RobertInOntario - 04-10-2011

doctorwayne Wrote:Here's some info on CNR GP7s and GP9s, found with a simple google search, Rob. Wink Goldth

Wayne

Thanks, Wayne. I've done a fair bit of googling -- both for sites and for pics -- and haven't found anything definite yet re this question, unless I'm not reading some fine print or technical details as I've been known to skim too much before! I've seen those links before and also checked them further this evening. Thanks, Rob

Re: GP 7/9's hauling passenger trains? - BR60103 - 04-11-2011

Rob:
I've checked a few of my books and found only a few pictures of hood units on CN passenger trains.
One shot of a Geep (or SD) in Edmunston ona final VIA run -- number 3478 doesn't fit with roster.
Newfoundland seemed to be all hood units, but narrow gauge.
The Tempo trains ran with RS18s -- specially modified.
Pictures of 4017 as passenger-geared GP40. (one of two)
Many more pictures of hood units on CPR (or VIA/CPR) but predominantly RS18.

Re: GP 7/9's hauling passenger trains? - RobertInOntario - 04-11-2011

BR60103 Wrote:Rob:
I've checked a few of my books and found only a few pictures of hood units on CN passenger trains.
One shot of a Geep (or SD) in Edmunston ona final VIA run -- number 3478 doesn't fit with roster.
Newfoundland seemed to be all hood units, but narrow gauge.
The Tempo trains ran with RS18s -- specially modified.
Pictures of 4017 as passenger-geared GP40. (one of two)
Many more pictures of hood units on CPR (or VIA/CPR) but predominantly RS18.


This is helpful. So, maybe on a few rare occasions, a CN GP 7/9 might have hauled a passenger train.

I've also borrowed a book called "VIA Rail" by Christopher C.N. Greenlaw from the library -- it contains a pic of some CP Geeps hauling an early VIA train. I thought if CP did it, CN might have as well!

Thanks for checking your books as well.

Rob

Re: GP 7/9's hauling passenger trains? - Squidbait - 04-12-2011

CP had many of its' Geeps equipped with steam generators. They were used regularly on the Canadian and the Dominion.

CN and CP had MLW RS10s equipped with steam generators for passenger service. CN equipped some RS18s with generators to power the electrically-heated Tempo cars. They were painted in a special orange-grey scheme.

Re: GP 7/9's hauling passenger trains? - RobertInOntario - 04-12-2011

Squidbait Wrote:CP had many of its' Geeps equipped with steam generators. They were used regularly on the Canadian and the Dominion.

CN and CP had MLW RS10s equipped with steam generators for passenger service. CN equipped some RS18s with generators to power the electrically-heated Tempo cars. They were painted in a special orange-grey scheme.

Thanks -- this is helpful to know.

Re: GP 7/9's hauling passenger trains? - nachoman - 04-12-2011

Rob - maybe this is an excuse to build a steam generator car Smile

Re: GP 7/9's hauling passenger trains? - MasonJar - 04-12-2011

Have you checked with the good folks at cncyclopedia?

<!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.cnlines.ca">www.cnlines.ca</a><!-- w -->


Andrew

Re: GP 7/9's hauling passenger trains? - RobertInOntario - 04-12-2011

MasonJar Wrote:Have you checked with the good folks at cncyclopedia?

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.cnlines.ca">http://www.cnlines.ca</a><!-- m -->


Andrew


Thanks -- I believe I have, as that site looks familiar. There's a lot of info there but I couldn't easily find anything that clearly said one way or another. Anyway, the info posted on this thread has helped.

Cheers, Rob

Re: GP 7/9's hauling passenger trains? - Squidbait - 04-12-2011

Unfortunately while the CNLines SIG has a great deal of info, they don't detail which sub-classes and numbers had steam gennys and which didn't. IIRC the older Trackside Guides may have, but mine are buried amongst years of detritus in the basement.