Caption: Late 80's leased and MLW power: a westbound extra freight works the west end of Guelph Junction with plenty of power up front: CP M630 4573, leased Algoma Central Railway SD40-2 183 (a flag bracket off the rear of 4573 making it look like 133), RS18's 8765 and 8781, and SW1200RS 8161 (one of the old GRR-assigned regulars). Other photos show 8781 may have been lifted or set off a Guelph Junction, and 8161 was likely heading west to be set off at Galt.
Bill McArthur photo, Dan Dell'Unto collection slide.
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Beautiful consist !
This is excellent. What a mix of power.
Most likely this is the London Pickup (aka the glorified shorts) an unassigned train run out of Toronto yard when & as needed. The covered hoppers behind the power are likely Goderich bound & the 8781 is about to be set off there as well. Alternatively, it was just picked up & the covered hoppers are for Woodstock. The “leftover” 8765 may well be headed to Woodstock too, or to Quebec Street for work train service of some sort. Work trains in March, other than snowplows were unusual but did happen once & a while.
Thanks for the flag bracket comment. I was scratching my head about the unit number until I read the caption.
Thanks for the info Ron! Interesting how trailing 4-axles were often roadswitcher power to be set off at various points.
Eric, initially I thought it was dust on the slide, but nope. Then I thought it was a damaged numberboard, but not according to other photos. It finally clicked that that was a flag bracket off the rear radiator of the 4573 blocking part of the 183′s numberboard.