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Great to see the 1200 back! Interesting that they went back to the original stacks eliminating the spark arrestors.
My understanding is that EMD developed an internal spark arrestor mechanism and thus the classic knarly looking external CN devices were no longer needed. The original exhaust stack configuration was restored during the 1987 rebuild. A total of 18 1200/1300 series SW1200RS’s became 7300 series SW1200RM’s. Note also the renewed lower pilot plate and missing footboards.
Sweet! I miss these things roaming around Niagara. Next time I’m in Hamilton I’d love to get some shots of it.
Odd that they would set it off at parkdale. Do you know who set it off? CN has no jobs that work out of here, other then the late night L555 (triple 5) who pulls and spots the steel center, among other customers on the Grimsby sub. Interesting shot!
cncpguy – plenty of aldershot jobs run to Hamilton yard and onward to Empire Steel (former Siemens) and not just 555.
Sorry Stephen… I meant triple 5 is the only one “scheduled” to work parkdale daily (or nightly, depending on which way you look at it). But we all know schedule doesn’t mean anything on the railroad. I’m sure many jobs roam out that way all the time. I didn’t mean to be rude, if that’s how it came across. Must be the yardmaster in me coming out lol! Either way its great that there is one still in service, and even better that its in hamilton!
I am led to believe 551 brought it to Parkdale. No rudeness implied, in either direction I hope. I also am hoping to see this thing in action sometime soon – that would be nice, but i’m not holding my breath!
Triple 5 set this out on thursday night/friday morning. They blocked me for a couple minutes doing this move . I guess the trackmobile isnt earning its keep at the steel centre ! This was the last thing i expected to see them set off that night.
Thanks Angelo – great stuff. I’ve seen two daylight trains switching Empire Steel – so more jobs are heading this way to do switching other than the nocturnal 555. This was in the spring..
I noted that 7304 was rebuilt in 1987 and repainted with the cab sides painted black. In September of 1991 7304 was involved in a head on collision with ONR FP7 1517 in North Bay Ontario. For a detailed account of the incident go to: http://www.uwyo.edu/rgodby/trains/northlander/northlander_collision.htm
As shown, for some reason, Pte St. Charles employed orange paint on the cab sides following repairs.
Gents, I love how the same people chimed in nearly a year later, after this engine entered service, after I posted a photo of it working:
http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=20713
We Hamilton fans seem to be a loyal bunch, eh.
Great stuff.
I figure this engine has been working a couple months though.. don’t know exactly when but it was heard poking around not long after it got on the property in late May or early June. And the crew would have to be trained on it.. no doubt. Angelo anything heard from the SOR crews that go down there on when they may have started using it?
My limited observations over the last year indicate the Steel Center crew switch cars in the late afternoon, previously with the trackmobile (which was a very slow affair) and now with 7304. Thinking about it, I figure the Steel Centre crew’s job is to perform work connecting the loading of cars at the Steel Centre, shipping them out on 555, and placing cars for the next days work, hence a fixed schedule switch crew.
Just my two cents – corrections and thoughts always welcome.
I work at the steel center that uses this engine. I am also one of 8 guys certified to operate this engine as an engineer. We use it constantly day and night. As we run 24/7. Its a great machine and does a lot better then the railking/trackmobile or shuttlewagon that we have used in the past. Just this morning my engineerand i on the ground as switchman did a 42 car pull with it. 9 of those were loaded slab cars. 3 loaded plate cars and a mix of empty covers and box cars. Its really over kill for what we need it for. But great all the same
Strathy, thank you for joining us and for chiming in. This engine is a bit of a time machine – there are only two others on the CN roster – both at mac yard, and as you know, you can’t ‘get in’ there for a photo – it’s not accessible from public property.
Can you comment on when your engine is most likely to be out working? And what are the chances of seeing it on THIS side of the steel centre in daylight (Parkdale ave side)?
When I see jobs working the Steel Centre – Trackmobile or 7304 works the ‘west’ end and CN yard jobs from Aldershot switch the east (parkdale ave side) end.
I hope you guys like the engine – I’ve seen switching with the Trackmobile and it was slooooooooooooow…
Thanks again Sir!
Strathy: Sir can you comment on whether or not 7304 has a two piece control stand or a single piece? Also how responsive is it? Does it start to pull and load immediately upon moving the handle or is there a delay?
Apparently SSRX 911 is enroute to the Metals Centre in Hamilton – could 7304 be having mechanical trouble? Should be on 330 and arriving in Hamilton tonight.
Steve..this one you posted is replacing it? http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=23809 Btw..the Burford spur could use one of these.. in re-reading here..wonder how that trackmobile is working out.
911 is now in service at Parkdale