Caption: I would any day rather shoot trains on the move than roster shots in a yard. But there are some exceptions. This is one of only two of Canada's GP-30 locomotives, the other being 5001. By the beginning of the 1960s, first generation diesels like the ALCO RS series, the Cab units, small GPs and SWs were becoming tired, and the rebuilding/replacement era was coming up.........Due to the fact that GMD was having a tough time coming up with something distinct to represent "Second Generation" locomotives, professional industrial artists were hired to design a noteworthy appearing locomotive to usher in Generation #2, and this is what they came up with. Styling, since the demise of the cab unit, had been purely functional. This style commanded attention. By the time CP became interested, the production run had almost ended, and as a result the two units acquired in 1963 became the only ones in this country. The Canadian Trackside Guide states they were around until 1998, but perhaps they had been mothballed for a while? I can't recall seeing them operating since the late 1980s. One or both together could occasionally be seen on the GALT sub., a favourite hangout. Most interesting loco history!!
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Good catch of a rare model.
They did time assigned out west in Coquitlam and Vancouver (E&N I think) during the late 80′s/early 90′s, so that could explain their absence in the east.