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Caption: Thirty years ago CP Rail tested BBD's new offerings …. and those BBD Demonstrators were.....Everywhere !
...but it was not to be...the only BBD sales (that I know of) were to CN: the HR616 model for twenty units (2100 to 2119) and ten HR412W (2580 to 2589).
James Adeney summed up the situation succinctly: “In 1983, MLW (by then Bombardier) made one last all-out effort to return CP to the fold and demonstrated their latest six-axle offering, the HR616. Borrowing four that had already been delivered to CN, they applied Bombardier logos to the sides of the nose, and removed the CN logo. Other than that, they were pure CN. It was all for naught, as CP still had a bad taste in its mouth and was in the middle of a love affair with the SD40-2. “
A. W. Mooney provides additional quality comment: (the units were) “reacquired by Bombardier along with (2100) 2101-2103 to operate as demonstrators 7001-7004 on CP between Feb 1983 and May 1984. The BBD HR616 3000 HP units were rated 3200 HP while on CP. After the trial, the units reverted to their old slotting on the CN roster. CP did not take an interest, and just as well, this model was associated with aggravations and the CN fleet was off roster by 1998.”
Indeed, as the HR was supposed to represent 'High Reliability' ….
...so what could have been never was....nevertheless...those BBD Demonstrators on CP Rail passing the ONR North Bay Shops: note the nearly new ONR GP38-2 ( 18xx ) coupled to a ONR SD40 ( 17xx ) and in the background is the spare ONR Northlander trainset.
So, here is CP Rail #482, powered by BBD HR616 Demonstrators #7004 – 7002 – 7001 – 7003, rolling past the ONR North Bay Shops, May 22, 1983 Kodak Plus X negative by S. Danko
What's interesting: In the film photography era, Kodachrome was slow ( ASA (ISO) 64 ) and relatively expensive, so when the weather got gray and contrast poor it was common to switch to Kodak Plus X ( ASA 125) or Tri X (ASA 400 ) or even the new Ilford films ( ASA400) – and even today the reliable Nikon film bodies perform flawlessly, no batteries required !
More BBD
BBD at Agincourt
HR616 on CN
More North Bay
CP ONR VIA all in one
nearly new GP 38-2
sdfourty
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