Same but different

[Miningman]

Long time and revered Trains editor David P. Morgan often quoted that Canadian railroads "were the same but different" as found in the USA.

We used the same builders with MLW being Alco's Canadian division, GMD London being, of course, EMD and long time builder CLC making FM units. Baldwin had a sales office in Toronto. However there were many subtle differences, both in Diesel and Steam in the appearance of the units as built. For instance, our MLW/Alco Diesel units did not have that charateristic "notch" up front on top of the hood. 

As in this:

The two Sudbury sections of The Canadian meet at West Toronto, On Time at 1725 after No.12 (right) 
has brought passengers from Vancouver, 3000 miles away! No.11 has RS-10's 8477 and 8482. 
August 12, 1967. Robert J. Sandusky

[Miningman]

Part II

However, RS series locomotives built for US subsidiaries, did have the notch because, of course, they were built in the USA.

As in this:

[NorthWest]

They had the MLW trucks rather than the AAR Type Bs, though.

[Miningman]

Good view of MLW/Alco trucks in this photo:

Now, I'm not talking about options and accessories or Government regulations requiring this and that, purely differences in manufacturing the same unit both sides of the border. 

[Miningman]

Now, what is wrong with the above picture? August 1956 Bayview Junction, Hamilton Ont. heading Eastbound for the big smoke (Toronto), next stop my home town of Burlington. Coming from Buffalo and the Big Apple. 

It's a CPR RS10 that's what!  Where is the usual TH&B J1d Hudson? or a CPR Pacific or a Royal Hudson? The J1d's sadly have been just recently melted down right across that bay you see in the background at the mighty Stelco Works. 

My Miningman persona cringes discussing details and things Diesel. Almost sacrilege, I have a reputation to live up to and would never diss Steam. 

The saving grace is the heavyweights throughout the consist, and all those NYC cars interspersed. Don't want anyone to think I've gone soft on the Diesels in my classic years. 

 

[Penny Trains]

Thankfully some MLW product survives.

[SD70M-2Dude]

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/469686/

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/202736/

The steam generator car (also authentically ex-CN) behind 6789-6862 not only contains an operable steam gennie, it also contains a HEP genset, so it can be paired with modern or historic equipment.

EDIT:  the forum software won't let me copy and paste the photos, hence only the links.

[Miningman]

Beautiful picture with the Royal Hudson and the FPA-4. We actually had these just as shown for 8-9 years in service and could be seen frequently on trains and rails that are also now long gone. ( It may not have been a FPA-4, likely just an FA1 or FA2)

Beautiful in the CNR green and gold and side by side with steam that thankfully never saw the noodle or CP's multimark. 

Business was very brisk across the land in Canada throughout the fifities. Diesels came fast and furious but steam was needed and kept in service to handle the sheer volumes. 

In Penny's picture it is very pleasing to see they kept the distinctive bell on the roof. 

I am so grateful I got to actually see scenes in real frequent service involving these locomotives ..and for quite some time, although looking back now, all too short a period of time.