Caption: MLW RS-18 3840 was one of 225 built for the CNR in the late 1950s. In the summer of 1979, it was one of a trio of just three 3800s including 3841 and 3842 that was assigned to Moncton, New Brunswick.
On Saturday, November 5, 1977, 3840 led a turn to Saint John on CN's Oromocto Subdivision from the South Devon Yard in Fredericton. At this time, an extra was called every other Saturday for the trip to Saint John.

A few years before, Train 726 had run out of South Devon to Saint John's Island Yard, 84.5 miles each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday returning as Train 725 the following morning. Train 725 continued to Centreville, some 26 miles northwest of Woodstock. On the way, it covered 14 miles of trackage rights over CP Rail from Saint John to Westfield Beach. There, the line diverged to continue following the Saint John River to University Avenue in downtown Fredericton. At University Avenue, Train 725 diverged from the original route and crossed the Saint John River to South Devon. The original route had continued north to Woodstock and beyond to Centreville. CN abandoned this line in 1966 with the construction of the Mactaquac dam on the Saint John River. To span the gap, CN acquired trackage rights over the CPR from South Devon to Newburg, 59 miles. At Newburg, CN trains reversed direction and traveled six miles south through Woodstock to Valley where a connection was established with CN's existing bridge over the CPR. Counterpart Train 726 returned to South Devon early on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

The morning departure made for good light on the southbound chase as seen here at Babbitt, Mileage 49.8, some 20.9 miles from South Devon. Conductor Wade was in charge of the 9-car train that included five empties and Point St. Charles-built van 79712. Under an hour was spent at Island Yard before the train returned to South Devon as a van hop.