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Wow! What a great close up shot for showing the details of CN 176-16.
This particular unit is a 1986 built almost new Woodings Railcar model CBL 4-man section track motor car. By 1987, track motor car purchases at CN were tapering off at a rapid rate due to the widely accepted use of hi-rail trucks for track maintenance employees across the system.
In addition to the ‘ice cutter’ wheels and external speaker mentioned by A.J.F. in his above caption, this ‘modern’ section car also features front rail sweeps, two-panel side doors to aid in rapid ingress and egress if needed, dual front and rear running and marker lights, a spring base fiberglass whip antenna and storage hook, an amber lens covered strobe light, decals showing proper manual lift and turn procedure, stencils indicating where to jack or lift the car, and, an all fiberglass fully enclosed cab.
It may not look like much, but back in the day, the section crew would likely think they had just received a ‘Cadillac’ compared to what it replaced.
I have no idea what the top speed would be for a rail car. They had no problem getting one of these back on the tracks at a crossing and catching up to trains when heading back to Redwater for lunch.
Back when your above photo was taken, the maximum speed for a track unit was 25 m.p.h., and the same a,b,c parameters shown below. The attainable speed for a track motor car back in the day was much faster than the authorized speed.
Current Canadian Rail Operating Rules specify
TRACK UNIT (TU)
A vehicle or machine capable of on-track operation utilized for track inspection, track work and other railway activities when on a track.
TRACK UNIT SPEED
A speed that;
(a) permits a track unit to stop within one-half the range of vision of equipment or a track unit;
(b) permits a track unit to stop short of a switch not properly lined or any obstruction or track defect that may prevent safe passage; and
(c) does not exceed maximum authorized speed for that track unit.
https://tc.canada.ca/en/rail-transportation/rules/canadian-rail-operating-rules/definitions
So cool….I have great memories of these, and the ultra futuristic version to boot
Thanks Paul. Track speed for freights was 30mph at that time, so, it would be pretty easy for a rail car to catch up then. Without exceeding limits to excessively. Many times I saw the section crew coming into town, following about a 1/4 mile behind a train.
Futuristic version, I was so excited to be taking this things picture in like new condition. But, as Paul stated, in short time, the hi-rail trucks took over. I was taking photos of a dinosaur without knowing it.
Excellent photo and great commentary. Thanks, guys.
Before this leaves the first page, thanks everyone for coming to have a look. Equipment photos are not quite as sexy as unit pictures, still interesting though.
Some of us might argue that point.
Thanks for posting and thinking of us Work Equipment types!