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Caption: FPON on CN. With the oil boom over for quite some time now, it's been quite difficult to catch such a thing. While it isn't exactly rare even now, most FPON on CN has tended to run under the cover of darkness. Foreign leaders are a special treat though. If there was any train this would occur on, a Canada bound express autorack train definitely has the highest probability, likewise on CP. I had yet to get a photo of a foreign leader on CN, but the time finally came.
With the clouds playing with my nerves, this shot was luckily spared. UP 5876 and 8948 do the honours taking 80 empty racks to Oshawa. I would've loved to chase this to Beare, but CN had another stellar lashup coming. Having to forfeit one chase to see another great lashup. Not something you'd expect in 2017.
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Awesome Photo Buddy glad you caught it
Another great catch Daniel! Gone are the days when this was a common sight. I used to love to get foreign power in the lead, although union rules did state that if there was a CN unit available it had to be used.
Are you sure that 276 went all the way to Oshawa?
Wow! nice catch!
Phil, conversations between 276 the RTC indicated that they’d be bypassing Mac
Thanks for the info James. Its pics like this that makes me miss being at CN. 276 would have changed crews at Jane Street before heading to Oshawa. I would have been operating the train to Oshawa.
Thanks guys! Yeah, I went by the email I got from the Yahoo FPON group. I must thank Chris Wilson for the email otherwise none of these shots would’ve occurred.
Phil, in the rare scenario a crew wants to keep a foreign leader at Sarnia just for the fun of it, are they allowed to? Or do the union rules apply regardless?
Clouds??? What clouds???? Nice catch. If I didn’t have commitments I would have been out.
Thanks Steve. Yeah, they were messing with the sunlight behind me. Another cloud was just a minute away from blocking everything again. Saying there was some swearing going on for 276 to hurry up would be an understatement.
I’m currently not working at all but I’m sure it’ll come back to bite me if I don’t start doing something soon.
Well, take advantage of it while you have it. I had family commitments. Can’t get everything y’know. Glad you shared
Daniel, I think you asked me if the crews could opt to use “foreign” power if they wanted? The crews don’t normally like foreign units up front as they are actually not as nice inside and are not always equipped with the proper amenities needed to lead. IE flagging can, water, microwave and fridge. Its actually funny to see brand new UP or BNSF units with now fridge just an ice bucket and definitely no microwave.
If the train like 276 arrived in Sarnia and there was a CN unit available the crew could ask to have it lead. The company could refuse if it would delay the train.
In situations like at Mac Yrd, CN units are supposed to always lead, but sometimes the company is power short and there are no CN crews available. Union rules say that if that is the case, that the crew is supposed to be notified at calling time and that because the units do not have microwaves to heat up meals that the company will provide food for the trip. Of course I loved it when we had foreign power leading. I got to run lots of different units like the UP AC6000CW!!
I saw a CEFX and Norfolk Southern on the CP Galt the other day from a distance. Anyone catch it?
Nicely done Daniel !