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Caption: I never imagined I would ever catch a former GP40X on the former TH&B belt line but as luck would have it, it was transferred several weeks ago from Welland. Only 23 examples of this unique test bed model were ever built. It raised the horsepower of the original GP40 to 3500hp, and would later lead to the creation of the GP50, which unfortunately not include the distinctive flared air intake grills. A number of years ago CP looked to Helm for a small group of GP38's to help fill its motive power needs. A few of these units included rebuilt former Union Pacific GP40X's. In the end they lost their original prime movers and unique HT-B trucks. One roof top fan was removed along with the addition of a paper air filter box where the original turbo charged exhaust stack as located, and new exhaust stacks were added. I typically am not fond of shooting the long hood of a locomotive in the lead but for the GP40X this is the preferred end for me. Here we see CP 4522 running solo across the intersection of Gage and Main in Hamilton as it returns for Hamilton's industrial core.
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One unit eh? What an oddity. They were having some serious power issues on Saturday. At one point, 4522 was by itself, dead in the yard. They were working with 3130 and 3113 but having major issues getting anything done with them, to the point that 3113 ended up being lifted by 247. They went out with 4522 and 3130 but I guess 3130 crapped out sometime between then and today based on your shot. Yikes.
Yes 3130 was sitting quietly at Kinnear.
This is a cool spot to showcase a very cool locomotive. When I saw the thumbnail I said “SD45!” out loud. Nice catch.
I certainly miss the old SD45 bodies CP used to have.
Nice! And long hood forward! Is there a crew member ‘protecting the crossing until fully occupied?’
sdfourty
sdfourty,On CP at least, long hood forward units are okay for track speed if they have pilots, headlight & ditchlights on the rear. No need to flag crossings. Units without ditchlights are restricted to 10mph over crossings and units without pilots to the rear are restricted to 25 mph when backing up, as well as the no ditchlight rule at crossings. None of the foregoing circumstances require flagging crossings if the power is leading, excepting locations where all movements must stop & flag crossings.