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Caption: In the late 1980s for a time the CN ran something called the LASER, a dedicated daily trailer train, which I saw mostly using well cars, originating in the Toledo area, and running to Montreal. I'm fuzzy on this, so could use clarification/correction from any CN guys out there........ The service, like many othre brainstorms, didn't last long. The neat feature of this train was it was often seen with GT or DT&I power mixed in, sometimes even DT&I leading; or perhaps a set of 3 GTs!! In later years I would see it with only 2 units. This image was shot on a nice warm April morning from a favourite location on a gentle curve between York Rd and Old Guelph Rd in Dundas, lets call it Dundas Mile 1.5. I walked in from Mile 2 to park my butt here and spend a few hours. Power this day was an 'ordinary' CN 9511, GT 6400 and CN 9403.
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I believe the LASER was a Chicago to Montreal service that utilized the well cars in order to carry trailers through the tight confines of the St. Clair River tunnel. This allowed CN to start to lure trucks onto trains in this corridor, which was greatly enhanced when the larger tunnel opened in 1994, leading to the demise of this operation, insomuch as solid trains of truck in well cars was concerned. At least some of these cars are still in use today in double stack service, though the trailer hitches remain.
Thanks!! So I gather there was a power change before the train made the border? This would account for all the DT&I, GT and such on the head end?
And a second LASER started up in 1989 or so, if I recall. Trains #232/233 or something like that.