Caption: Modern Diesel Power meets Modern Steam Power – or – an ' only on CP ' lashup !

Perhaps the first time 8921 assisted by Steam: Ex CPR G5a #1201 is the Transfer's helper on April 26, 1976 with the former on the break in run after an extensive rebuild at the CP Rail John Street roundhouse.

and the RSD17 is the unique locomotive of the two !

For decades the MLW RSD17 - 8921 - was the regular ( Toronto ) power for ' The Transfer '

Not so rare: the CPR class G5 is one of 103 owned (1200 to 1301)...and truly modern with CPR built #1201 being a mere youngster at 32 years on this 1976 day...with Frank Bunker at the throttle.

On an absolutely miserable - weather wise – April 26, 1976 day, a Pre-SLR Kodachrome at the CP Rail West Toronto station.

What's interesting: For years the CP Rail John Street roundhouse quietly accommodated privately owned motive power and rolling stock. (John Clarke was one of the CP Foreman at the roundhouse ). Stored motive power included Royal Hudson 2839 (at one time owned by the Ontario Science Centre, then onto active Southern Railway service, now static in California), ex CNR Pacific #5107 (at one time owned by the Ontario Science Centre, now in Kapuskasing), ex CPR Mikado #5361 (at one time owned by the Ontario Science Centre, now in Depew, N.Y.), ex CPR D10 #1057 and #136 and CPR S-2 #7020 plus storage of various pieces of rolling stock – including the Upper Canada Railway Society car 13 (former CPR Cape Race).

Southern Ontario Mainline Steam at various times throughout the Seventies : 136, 1057, 1201, LNER 4472 (The Flying Scotsman), 6218, 6060, and BCR 2860 also made an appearance spring 1978. (and Sixties Mainline Steam included 137 and 2857 and 6167 and 6218). Other mainline steam you are aware of ?

Postscript: on a May 1976 Sunday morning 1201 powered the Ontario Rail passenger cars on an equipment move over the Belleville Subdivision to Smith Falls and onto the National Museum in Ottawa. (I know there are pics out there – someone ? !)

Post postscript: yes the 1201 – 8921 lashup descended the Don Branch grade!

What's interesting:

CPR built only two G5's: 1200 and 1201; all other G5's to 1301 built by MLW.

MLW built H1e Royal Hudson 2860 MU'd with not one but two GMD F7B units - the 1978 Discover British Columbia Tour - and indeed 2860 was MU'd, a GMD control stand was installed in 2860's cab!

at Cherry Street