Caption: VIA FP7 6569 cuts through the afternoon fall gloom, piloting Windsor-Toronto train #72 eastbound through Bayview Junction with five of the blue & yellow fleet in tow. Late in its VIA career and approaching the 1990 service reductions, 6569 was one of the few ex-CP locomotives still on the VIA roster at this time.

What follows is the story of ol' VIA 6559: she was originally built by GMD London in 1952 as Canadian Pacific 4069, a dual freight/passenger service FP7 unit. A renumbering followed two short years later when it became 1425 for service on CP's new transcontinental passenger train "The Canadian" in 1954. The 1400-series units were CP's numbering range for high-speed passenger F-units equipped with 89mph gearing, as opposed to the normal 65mph gearing in 4000-series F's. It was renumbered back to 4069 and regeared back to 65mph in 1965 due to a decreasing need for strictly passenger units, but still saw passenger use out east on The Canadian (Toronto-Sudbury), and the Atlantic Ltd and commuter trains out of Montreal (as well as in normal freight service).

When VIA took over CP's passenger services in September 1978, CP sold them a handful of their worn-out fleet of passenger units including 4069 (reportedly for $7,000 each, with the stipulation CP had right of first refusal when VIA disposed of them). According to notes from former CP motive power guru Bruce Chapman, after years of transcontinental passenger service, some of the 1400-series units were in the 4-million mile range and climbing to 5. The few CP 4000's sold to VIA received their old 1400-series numbers, so 4069 once again became "CP" 1425 under VIA (not repainted in VIA colours under that number). The entire lot were planned to be rebuilt and upgraded to VIA/CN standards at CN's Point St. Charles shop and renumbered into the 6550- and 6650- series. 1425 was one of the few lucky ex-CP units to be rebuilt, emerging as VIA 6569 in 1980.

When the early 80's VIA service cuts came about, the rebuild program ended with only a small handful of units done, and most of the unrebuilt ex-CP F's (some still painted CP) were sold back to CP in 1983 (reportedly for $7,000 + $1). CP wanted them to use their engine blocks and other components in the GP7/GP9 rebuild pool, and most of the gutted carbodies sat around for possible reuse until they were scrapped around 1987. The few rebuilt VIA 6550/6650-series units, including 6569, continued to serve VIA until being disposed of around the early 90's. The West Coast Railway Association acquired VIA 6569 in 1994, and in 1999 it underwent restoration back to CP maroon and grey paint, and was renumbered once again to original number 4069.

Bill McArthur photo, Dan Dell'Unto collection slide.