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“Canada’s Tunnel Motor” What is it with certain locomotive types that seem to get so much attention over others, we all have our favourites. The “Tunnel Motor” design was unique to the Southern Pacific and sister road Cotton Belt. It allowed the unit to pull cooler air from the bottom of the many tunnels along the SP route greatly reducing overheating of the units. The design was also applied to SD40 models. The design serves no purpose on the Goderich Exeter other then the high horsepower that comes with the SD45 variant, but is a one of a kind unit in Canada giving it a big following by Railfans. The unique unit along with a GEXR and SOR SD40 are at full throttle as they charge towards the Niagara Escarpment while departing Silver and heading into the Guelph sub. I will truly miss these sights and sounds this fall as CN takes back GEXR ‘s operations over the Guelph Subdivision.
Copyright Notice: This image ©Marcus W Stevens all rights reserved.



Caption: “Canada’s Tunnel Motor” What is it with certain locomotive types that seem to get so much attention over others, we all have our favourites. The “Tunnel Motor” design was unique to the Southern Pacific and sister road Cotton Belt. It allowed the unit to pull cooler air from the bottom of the many tunnels along the SP route greatly reducing overheating of the units. The design was also applied to SD40 models. The design serves no purpose on the Goderich Exeter other then the high horsepower that comes with the SD45 variant, but is a one of a kind unit in Canada giving it a big following by Railfans. The unique unit along with a GEXR and SOR SD40 are at full throttle as they charge towards the Niagara Escarpment while departing Silver and heading into the Guelph sub. I will truly miss these sights and sounds this fall as CN takes back GEXR ‘s operations over the Guelph Subdivision.

Photographer:
Marcus W Stevens [1069] (more) (contact)
Date: 07/12/2018 (search)
Railway: Goderich-Exeter (search)
Reporting Marks: GEXR 3054 (search)
Train Symbol: 431 (search)
Subdivision/SNS: Halton sub. (search)
City/Town: Georgetown (search)
Province: Ontario (search)
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8 Comments
  1. ngineered4u
    July 13, 2018 at 10:38 am

    Great shot Marcus. The SD40/45T-2 are my favorite freight locomotives ever! I have been lucky enough to see them in action over Tehachapi, Cajon and the Beaumont Pass. Beautiful, distinctive locomotives.
    P.S. You forgot to add Rio Grande as an owner of these Tunnel motor type units :-)

  2. Marcus Stevens
    July 13, 2018 at 11:55 am

    Aw yes how could I forget the DRG&W.
    Great Railroad!

  3. BradKetchen
    July 13, 2018 at 7:45 pm

    Thanks Marcus…I never knew what a Tunnel motor meant… now where do you figure she’s be headed when CN takes over?

  4. Marcus Stevens
    July 13, 2018 at 10:44 pm

    GW still uses some on the Kyle RR so maybe there. With its original SD45 prime mover I can’t imagine it has a long life expectancy considering fuel prices. I say paint it in the original GEXR colours and put it on display in Goderich
    LOL!

  5. RLK2211
    July 14, 2018 at 5:49 pm

    I believe it’s going stateside to B&P, but plans change all the time…NECR was supposed to get it a few teaes ago and that never happened.

    Great shot Marcus!

    How’d your pic at Acton turn out yesterday ??

  6. BradKetchen
    July 15, 2018 at 11:48 am

    As much as I like GW colours…Hell i just bought a $300 locomotive off Atlas in the ver same….But I say keep it in it’s original Southern Pacific scheme.

  7. ngineered4u
    July 15, 2018 at 2:51 pm

    I agree Brad. The SP/Cotton Belt are my fave paint schemes for these units!

  8. Marcus Stevens
    July 22, 2018 at 11:05 am

    My shot at Acton was a bit overcast and tight but I just wanted to get the new customer in a shot :)

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