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Caption: So I am hearing most of the GMD-1u switchers are going into storage. Its a shame. They were great little engines and most of us will miss them.
Here is a shot of back 30 years time when a pair of them were stationed at Merritton Yard, which connected with the Grimsby sub at mile 9.5; now part of the the GIO Trillium outfit.
From left, CN 1411, transfer vans 76602, 76547 and CN 1413. The yard has since been taken up as operation was transferred to 'PCHR' (now GIO Trillium) back around late 1999. The old Merritton station can be seen at the mainline connection at the extreme right in the photo. Arsonists burned the station down in Oct 1994. CN 1411 was retired, 2006; 1413 went to Oregon Pacific in 2007. Don't know about the transfer vans; CTG indicates only 3 left out of 210)
(I realize it is inevitable with the passage of time, but all these shortline name changes drive me nuts)
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Pretty amazing Arnold, I worked at the GM Glendale plants in ’86 and ’87 and we had rail service from Merritton at least once a day, most of those Blue CN boxcars in your photo were for GM Glendale Engine Assembly, and some were probably going to GM Ontario St – Axle/Components Plant (pretty sure the line still extended there at that time).
So you must have seen that little what I think was a GMDH-1 that used to be back in the plant when it was KcKinnon? Some kind of hydraulic unit. Had a terrible time trying to get a photo of it.
Oops. I meant McKinnon. I used to know a kind old gentleman named McKinnon who used give me pens and datebooks back in the 70s.
For sure, saw it, and I can say lucky enough to have lived it…amazing to think it was another 32 years after your photo that they are finally getting mothballed
The cabs look like they were designed to work with these units. The height of the cab roof is just lower than hood height. Really neat configuration of units and cabooses.
Awesome catch! Like taking a trip back in time… Thank you for sharing! It’s an absolute pleasure!
Glad you enjoyed this, Dan. It was quite the scene while it lasted; alas, there is pretty well nothing there now. Don’t even think there is any semblance of a yard left even.