ALL:
At one time the BN had some locomotives that were "OK Canada" meaning that they had Canadian standards (inspections, settings, etc.) to operate in Canada. I saw the BNML 2 in the Northtown Diesel Shop about 1985.
Are all or some CN, CP, CSX, and BNSF locomotives approved for both Canadian and US service?
Ed Burns
Ed,
Not sure about the way things were in 1985 or earlier, but today most Class I locomotives can cross the border freely, as long as they are up to date on inspections (the two countries have different standards and timelines for mandatory inspections and system teardowns, the U.S. tends to be stricter) and American power is common on certain routes that host regular international run-throughs (Southern Ontario & Quebec on both railways, the Montreal area especially and CP in the West to & from the UP interchange at Kingsgate, BC/Eastport, ID). The only locomotives I know of that are restricted to one country are the 25 ES44AC's (2951-2975) CN ordered after Tier IV came into effect, as a result they cannot operate in the U.S.
In Canada however our Collective Agreements require (on CN at least, I believe CP is similar if not the same) a working fridge and microwave in the lead locomotive on a train, most American locomotives do not have these so they are restricted to trail-only. However our Agreement on CN allows a foreign locomotive without a fridge or microwave to lead a train up to the first shop facility in Canada, where it then must be exchanged for one with the appliances (said locomotive may also be returned to the U.S. border leading a train).
There may also be financial and tax considerations of which I am unaware, that may also be why Burlington Northern Manitoba Ltd. remained a separate subsiduary for so long, and may still be today.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
The UP fitted out some SD9043 engines for the previously mentioned run-thru service with the CP. They were equipped with hot hot plates and tea kettles. I don't think they had microwaves. Or stretchers, something else I've seen on Canadian engines.
Mexican engines can also be seen here in the US. The train ahead of me had a Kansas City Southern of Mexico engine in it's consist today.
Jeff
Canadian CN crews require a fridge, microwave and a hot plate very few still use.
We also do have to have a stretcher. I'm not sure if it has to be on the lead or just somewhere in the consist. Our engines are also fully stocked with an equipment tool box for anything you may encounter online as well as hoses and a tow chain.
We and VIA Rail are the only two Railways I know of that have microwaves.
10000 feet and no dynamics? Today is going to be a good day ...
My lead unit yesterday was a UP equipped for CP run-thru service. It did have a stretcher, an actual refrigerator (all we've been getting for quite a few years is an ice box.) and a hot plate with tea pot.
Our tool boxes have everything but the chain. They don't teach TE&Y how to chain up a car anymore, you need the car department to do that.
jeffhergert Our tool boxes have everything but the chain. They don't teach TE&Y how to chain up a car anymore, you need the car department to do that.
They don't teach us either. Learn as you go.
jeffhergertMy lead unit yesterday was a UP equipped for CP run-thru service. It did have a stretcher, an actual refrigerator (all we've been getting for quite a few years is an ice box.) and a hot plate with tea pot. Our tool boxes have everything but the chain. They don't teach TE&Y how to chain up a car anymore, you need the car department to do that. Jeff
There are a lot of things that aren't taught about 'basic mechanics'. In eras gone by, a high percentage of T&E personnel were farm boys looking to get off the farm where they had worked with and on basic mechanical devices their entire lives and the changes to understanding railroad's basic mechanical devices was a no brainer. Now, hiring Gen-X and Millenials, you have groups that have virtually no mechanical understanding or aptitude - witness the 'I can fix it' videos that show up on Facebook and YouTube.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Man, ain't that the truth! 12 years ago when my son was in the USMC training for his MOS, he called home and thanked me for teaching him "how to use tools"! I said you're welcome, then asked what exactly did he mean? His reply was "Some of these clowns don't even know which end of a screw driver to hold on to!"
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