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Caption: The summer of 1996 was an interesting one for CN locomotive power. Finding themselves extremely power short as they slowly received their new order of SD75I’s from GMDD in London, they had to turn to a few unlikely soldiers, in the form of previously retired M636’s, much like rival CP had done two years prior. Unlike the re-activation of CP’s M636’s, CN’s big MLW’s had much less fan fare and wasn’t as lengthy unfortunately.
So here are the roster notes; On June 4, 1996 CN retired M636’s 2313, 2323, 2335 and 2338. However, 2313, 2323 and 2338 were all un-retired on June 20. CN 2338 was then stored serviceable on July 3, followed by 2323 on July 6. As of mid-July 1996 CN 2313 was the last active M636 on CN.
By fall 1996, big Alco’s were the last thing on myself and my dad’s mind as we arrived in Belleville to check out the CN yard as we headed east to Prescott to visit my Oma and Opa. As we neared the yard and stopped at a red light, CN 308 blasted eastbound over a bridge with CN 3582, 2107 and 2313. As awesome as the sound, the feeling of disbelief followed as CN 2313 should have been sitting somewhere in a deadline we thought, let alone powering an eastbound train. Thankfully we noticed 308 slowing down for a crew-change.
As fate would have it for whatever reason, the incoming crew swapped out units and 2107 was put on the head-end, which gave us more time to let the cloud’s briefly part on an otherwise overcast morning, however albeit briefly. Here still active 2313 is seen at the CN Belleville yard during an October morning waiting patiently to continue its journey east. According to the November 1996 Branchline, CN M636’s 2313, 2323 and 2338 were officially re-retired on August 19, 1996, however they were un-retired on September 20 for the second time. CN 2313 would be officially retired for the final time on October 29, 1996 and sold to Cyclomet X for scrapping.
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I can sure relate with going to Oma and Opa’s house for a visit.
I’ve always thought it odd that there was so little news about these units being un-retired. CP’s MLW’s seemed to to get all the attention.
@Brundle- Mine at the time lived in Prescott, which was about 5 hours away, so we always tried to get some trains during our trips.
@Eric May- Yes, CP’s did seem to get more of the spotlight that’s for sure.
Great lighting. I remember when they were reactivated and I had them on a few trains. 2338 was kept at MacYd to be used as back up power in case of the end of the world aka Y2K.
@ngineered4u- I remember 2338 being kept at Mac. I would have to look back to see whatever became of it, but I think it was still there even as of 2001-2002. Haha Y2K! I remember that one too.
LOL, yes I know that the world was freaked out by Y2K and CN had 2338 there as a back up generator..HAHA, if the world was ending who needs a generator
There is a photo of 2338 in Olean, NY lettered for RRPX. I was lucky enough to get a shot of MLW 2338 and GE ES44DC 2338 together at Mac Yrd.
2338 should still be in Olean in the deadline. It was never returned to service.
Curious – what was the reason Alco’s were used as backup generators but not other locomotives?
Was it because they output or could output 120V easily? Curious minds..
I think it was because the MLW’s were by then surplus and most were retired. EMD’s were still ruling the mainlines. Remember when they had the ice storm in Quebec and the power was out and they used a CN M420 3502 as a power Boucherville city hall.They actually lifted the unit off the rails and ran on a street to get it in place.
Thanks ngineered4u and Steve for the comments and additional information.