Caption: CN GP40-2W 9657 (in the snappy CN North America livery) leads EMDX GP40-3's 200 & 201 and a ratty zebra striped CN 9653 on train #333, seen at Aldershot on a cold February day in 1994. The two EMD lease units are former GO Transit GP40-2 units 725 and 726, and have recently joined the EMD lease fleet (they were originally built as GP40's (non-Dash 2) for the Rock Island, before becoming GO commuter units via Chrome Crankshaft after "The Rock" went bankrupt).

As more F59's joined the roster in the late 80's and early 90's, GO's older "40-series" units were either sold off or leased out. Eventually GO 720-726, after doing time leased out to CN and CP (at least two even made it out to Alberta), were used as trade-in credit to EMD for GO's final order of F59PH's (562-568) built in early 1994. EMD didn't waste time repainting the Geeps in their maroon, silver and grey paint livery, renumbering them into the 200-series, re-equipping them with dynamic brakes, and leasing them out in freight service.

Reg Button photo, Dan Dell'Unto collection slide.