Steam Saturday: Cab Ride North of the Border

Bob Farkas and Paul Woodring were in Toronto on June 19, 1980, where they visited the Canadian National Spadina engine facility. Not only were they able to make photographs of CN 4-8-2 No. 6060 they also got a cab ride.

The 6060 was one of 20 Mountain type locomotives built by Montreal Locomotive Works for CN in 1944.

Retired in 1960, the 6060 was placed on static display in Jasper, Alberta. Restored to operating condition in 1972, the 6060 saw excursion duties for CN through the 1980s.

It has since operated at times and is now awaiting another restoration pending adequate funding.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Alcos Still Operating on WNY&P

Although the first GE diesel locomotive has entered revenue service on the Western New York & Pennsylvania, the road’s venerable Alco units will continue running for now.

Trains magazine reported this week that AC46CH No. 6002 became the first alternating current GE to enter revenue service on the WNY&P on Sept. 24.

For now No. 6002 will be used in captive service on the “Sling Shot” between Olean and Salamanca in New York.

Plans are to eventually assign No. 6002 to other assignments on the railroad.

The WNY&P has two other GE’s slated to work on its system. No. 6001 is en route via Norfolk Southern while No. 6005 is being painted on the on the Arkansas & Missouri in Springdale, Arkansas.

No. 6005 is expected to be sent eastward in the coming weeks.

Trains said it has learned from sources at the railroad that none of the Alcos built by Montreal Locomotive Works and currently on the active roster of the WNY&P have yet been retired.

The MLW units are expected to continue operating through the end of the year.

Buffalo Southern Restores C424 to Operating Condition

Buffalo Southern has restored a C424M to operating condition and hopes to have it in revenue service soon.

No. 4212, which was built for Canadian Pacific by Montreal Locomotive Works, has been tested in recent weeks on a charter excursion and a freight train.

“I still have some minor electrical issues but she is good to go,” said Pat Connors, the railroad’s chief mechanical officer.

Once the 4212 goes back into service it will retain its faded CP livery until it can be repainted.

The Buffalo Southern shop in Hamburg, New York, is known for a deadline of Alco and MLW units that have been sitting there for 20 years.

The railroad acquired the 4212 and two other units from the Quebec Gatineau railroad in 2000 for a possible traffic increase.

It moved under its own power for the first time in summer 2018 and additional work was done on it over the winter.

AC Units En Route to WNY&P

Two AC46CW locomotives are en route to the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad as the short line begins the process of replacing its last remaining Montreal Locomotive Works units.

Nos. 6006 and 6007 were being sent from the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad.

Upon arriving at the WNY&P, the units will be used for parts. They are painted in a CSX livery with WNY&P markings.

Trains magazine reported on its website that operation of the MLW locomotives is likely to continue through the summer and possibly into the fall.

The six-axle  MLW units are assigned out of Olean, New York, on a Salamanca turn that operates four days a week.

The first operable AC unit is expected to be sent to the WNY&P in mid- to-late July with an expected August arrival.

MLW Units Still Running on WNY&P

Locomotives built by Montreal Locomotive Works featuring Alco designs are still operating on short line Western New York & Pennsylvania.

Officials expect the six-axle units to operate through the end of summer before being replaced by GE-built wide cab locomotives.

The six-unit operable fleet of C636s and one C630 operate on former Pennsylvania Railroad tracks between Machias, New York, and Driftwood, Pennsylvania.

On occasion, the units will head west on former Erie Railroad track to Salamanca, New York, or Meadville, Pennsylvania.

A report posted on the Trains magazine website said the best opportunity to see the MLW units in action is to wait on a public road (Constitution Avenue) for the Driftwood turn, which operates as needed but as many as three times a week from Olean, New York.

A Fairfield Inn is located next to the tracks a short distance away.

Westbound trains go to either Salamanca or Falconer, New York, to meet the Meadville turn.

The Trains author recommended being there by 7 a.m. He also noted that the WNY&P is not as railfan friendly as it once was so be aware and respectful.

The GE units are expected to arrive on the WNY&P this month, but the MLW units will be stored serviceable even after the GEs have taken over assignments now held by MLW locomotives.

CVSR Debuts on Saturday the 3rd Generation of its Gold, Red and Black Locomotive Livery

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad FPA4 No. 6771 shows off its new look at Peninsula on the north end of the National Park Scenic.

Here are a few photographs from Saturday (June 4) morning’s first public run of freshly-painted Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad FPA4 No. 6771.

The former Canadian National and VIA Rail Canada veteran carries a modified scheme that features a new nose design.

Built in January 1959 by Montreal Locomotive Works, it carried CN roster number 6771, which it retained through its service for VIA.

It became No. 305 when it worked on the Western Maryland Scenic and No. 15 during its early days on the CVSR when it was known as the Cuyahoga Valley Line and sported a Delaware & Hudson look alike livery.

It initially retained roster No. 15 after being repainted in the first rendition of the CVSR gold, red and black livery. Its current look is the third version of that livery, although the latest look is not substantially different from the second generation.

It was in active service last fall when it was paired with No. 800, which wears the Baltimore & Ohio tribute livery, during the fall foliage season.

Photographs by Roger Durfee

The next three photographs were all made at Boston Mill station.

A lock of the Ohio & Erie Canal in Akron.

Crossing the Towpath Trail in Akron.

The Akron firefighters in the Indigo Lake photos were setting up to practice water rescues.

CVSR No. 800 was on the south end of the Scenic as it passed Indigo Lake.

Another view at the Peninsula station during a service stop.