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VIA 6400 |
| VIA 6400
VIA 6400 is the prototype locomotive for a mid-life rebuild programme for VIA's F40PH-2 locomotives. It was completely disassembled and then rebuilt with new and refurbished components. The engineer has several computerized controls and computer screens. It came to Halifax for crew training arriving on Thursday 1 March 2007 as the third locomotive of VIA's eastbound Ocean (train 14). Firstly we see the train approaching Windsor Junction (Mile 16 Bedford Subdivision). Then we see the entire consist being turned on the balloon track at the Halterm Container Pier which is part of Halifax's Ocean Terminals adjacent to the VIA station in the southern part of the city. This Stainless Steel consist is in use during the winter while one of the three Renaissance sets is undergoing modifications. It is due to end its run on the Ocean at the end of April when the third Renaissance set is expected to return to service. Note the absence of the Park car which was removed from the set in January. The sets only have a Park car during the summer when VIA charges extra for the "Maritime Learning Experience".
After the train was turned VIA 6400 was parked beside the station |
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The training of the VIA crews was completed on Friday 9 March 2007 and VIA 6400 was coupled ahead of the two F40PH-2s 6426 and 6406 (in Spiderman 2 livery) and 13 Renaissance coaches for the Saturday departure of the Ocean.
Here we see the westbound Ocean (train 15) leaving Halifax station on Saturday 10 March 2007 and passing the grain elevators and Halifax Ocean Terminals and then passing under the Young Avenue bridge. |
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A SINGLE F40PH-2 ON THE OCEAN Because of a locomotive failure on Friday 2 March 2007, VIA 14 (eastbound Ocean) gave a locomotive to VIA 15 (westbound Ocean) at Truro NS and travelled to Halifax with only one unit. There is no spare VIA locomotive in Halifax and so on Saturday 3 March 2007, VIA 6406 and 12 Renaissance coaches are seen leaving Halifax station and passing under Young Avenue Bridge. A second unit was exchanged between VIA 14 & VIA 15 on Saturday in Moncton. |
CN train 436 with 8 GM JT42CWRs for export to Britain & the Netherlands. GE Dash 8-40CW 2451 heads train 436 comprising 6 Freightliner and 2 Dutch Class 66s and two flat cars of supplies as it approaches Rockingham yard, Halifax, beside the Bedford Basin early on 10 March 2007. About 500 JT42CWR locomotives have been built by GM in London Ontario for use in several countries in Europe. Most of these have been shipped through Halifax on Jumbo ships. Wikipedia has a lot of information about the class 66s at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_66 .
Initially the locomotives travelled in regular freight trains and were covered in blue shrouds which were returned from Europe to a firm in Ottawa for cleaning before being reused. Because of minor differences in the brake systems the locomotives often arrived in Halifax with their brake shoes worn out. These had to be replaced before they could be exported. In order to avoid this problem all new JT42CWR locomotives are shipped in special trains hauled by a single CN locomotive. However, SD70Ms for Venezula are still shipped in regular freight trains and broad gauge locomotives for Brazil are shipped on special flat cars (usually with four trucks) also in freight trains.
Each special train remains coupled throughout the entire journey from London Ontario to Halifax Nova Scotia. Initially the train runs on the Goderich & Exeter Railway and is then transfered to CN. The outer-facing couplers and buffers of the locomotives at both ends of the train are replaced by standard North American buckeye couplers. After arrival at the docks in Halifax the buckeye couplers are replaced with British screw link couplers and the buffers are installed. The pictures below illustrate this operation. They were taken before 911 when access to the dockside was possible!
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The locomotives are then loaded on to a special freighter (usually owned by Jumbo). Some are placed below deck and some at deck level. They have to be very carefully fastened down to prevent them from shifting in an Atlantic storm!
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| CN train 308 from Moncton to Dartmouth CN 308 although nominally a Toronto Mac Yard to Dartmouth train actually operates as two independent trains Toronto-Moncton and Moncton - Dartmouth. The latter usually arrives in Dartmouth about 2:00 am after dropping off freight cars for the CB&CNS in Truro. However, because of delays due to the weather, derailments and the recent strike on several days it arrived around midday in the daylight. The autocarriers are destined for Autoport and carry both exports and imports. Power is two or more often three large locomotives. |
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