Canadian "Northlander" - informations wanted

[Anonymous]

HI, I am looking for informations on the four-coupled diesel train called NORTHLANDER which ran in Canada, State of Ontario (?) in the years ?? There is a model of it I have in N-scale and would like to learn more about the real thing. Anyone doing anything in this area modelwise? Thanks! dampfloktender

[nanaimo73]

The Northlander was built by Werkspoor and Neuhausen for the Trans-Europe Express during 1957. Five push-pull 4 cars sets were built, 3 owned by the Dutch and two by the Swiss. Werkspoor built the power cars and Neuhausen built the coaches. One set was wrecked during 1971 and the other 4 were retired during 1974. In Canada it was operated by the Ontario Northland Railway in the Province (not State) of Ontario. ONR bought the 4 sets and they entered service during 1977. They were retired during February 1992.

http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/onr1981.jpg

[PBenham]

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 The Werkspoor power units were pretty well "used up" by the time ONR got them. The ride was quite good, considering. It was a chance for those of us that wouldn't pay the trans-atlantic air fares to experience european passenger equipment. They were a bit "tired", and not really suited to North American operations, they weren't built to ride well on staggered rail joints, for example.

The power cars were replaced by rebuilt FP7s after a few years, the cars then lasted into the '90s. Their replacements were ex-CN Tempo coaches. They are still rattling, rocking, rough riding and drafty as I write this!

[PBenham]

HI, I am looking for informations on the four-coupled diesel train called NORTHLANDER which ran in Canada, State of Ontario (?) in the years ?? There is a model of it I have in N-scale and would like to learn more about the real thing. Anyone doing anything in this area modelwise? Thanks! dampfloktender

Check Roco's catalog for them in their original TEE colors, and then get some ON blue and yellow. Take a look around, I have seen these in HO, and I assume they are out there in N as well.