Caption: I cannot recall how many times I slithered into the GM Glendale Av plant property trying to get a shot of this unit. More times than I can count. Finally; got this one so-so image thru a fence, and I never saw the unit again.
This is GMDH3 #2128, built in January of 1960, a demonstrator. It even went overseas to get attention but never did drum up any sales. It was on trial as #275 in various localities until September of 1963 it went to McKinnon Industries, which later became General Motors plant that we know down by the Welland Canal. In 1992 it was sold to South Simcoe Railway up in Tottenham. It again wore #275 and was now painted a dull black. Then became surplus, and in my mind it was foolish to let it go. The unit now calls home at South Michigan Railroad Society, out of Clinton, Michigan.
For some strange reason I have not been able to find any photos of it wearing its GM colours at the plant. Odd, because it was there nearly 30 years. Before and after photos are out there though. One of a kind. Maybe someone can steer me to where there are examples on the internet.
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That sure is a strange looking duck.
http://railroadfan.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=26635
http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/industrial/ont/mckinnon.htm
I found these during a quick search.
Thanks.
The McKinnon industries shot I found really interesting.
But nothing of the “GM” paint have I found yet.
The first link has a black & white picture of the unit as GM 275.
Yes, I noticed that. I associated that with “GM” as in demonstrator rather than “GM” as in the St. Catharines plant paint, which perhaps is just McKinnon painted over to read GM. I wonder where they got the “2128″ number from?
I kick myself for not taking photos of it when it was at the South Simcoe Railway. I was too distracted by 136 under steam.