Caption: Canadian Pacific began purchasing little DTC (Diesel Torque Converter, sometimes called DT2's) units from the Canadian Locomotive Company in the late 50's to fill the role of a light switching locomotive that would qualify for operation without a fireman (less than 45 tons in weight). A typical switcher design with a center cab, thy featured two Caterpillar engines powering an axle on each truck via a torque converter, and power transmitted to the other truck axle via siderods. The 14 units were based at various locations across the system serving as light switchers for local assignments, branchline units on lines with weight restrictions (Chipman-Norton NB line, home of the final three famed 4-4-0's) and sometimes as shop switchers. The final order of DTC's in 1960 were some of the last locomotives ever made by CLC (with the exception of an industrial switcher or two), and CP's last order from the builder.

Shown here, CP DTC 13 is moving a short cut of 40' boxcars by the station in Dryden Ontario in 1964, with a number of crewmen riding the top running boards (aka roofwalks) of the 40'ers - regular practice back then but something that wouldn't pass the safety standards of today. These little units weren't able to handle many cars, and as freight cars increased in size and weight they were retired and sold off or scrapped. CP 13 was built in 1958 and originally assigned Vancouver, eventually being retired in 1969 at only 11 years old and sold off to Coleman Collieries. Other sister units lasted into the early/mid-70's before retirement.

J. Wollatt photo, Dan Dell'Unto collection.