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String Lining

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Posted by SD70Dude on Saturday, December 29, 2018 10:15 PM

That photo was the last piece of the puzzle I needed to find the exact location of those units, but I didn't want to post anything here until I had confirmation.  Thanks again for the help!

I knew the B-units/robots had been at De Winton for years and had likely not moved far, and photos of 8554 leaving Calgary a few years ago indicated that it headed south too, but I had missed looking at Mazeppa until today. 

I met Chris when he was out at the Alberta Railway Museum in 2017 to cover 1392's move to Stettler.  Very nice, knowledgeable, down-to-earth fellow.  Would love to have him out more often, and recruit him to volunteer if he has any free time left over from blogging.

Weather is terrible here too, icy roads, several fatal crashes and a 20+ car pileup on Highway 16 near Edmonton today. 

Life happens, and is nothing to be sorry for.  Always hoping everyone's health improves, but sometimes there is nothing that can be done.  I went through the same stuff as all my grandparents aged, and some old friends too.  It sucks, that's all I have to say. 

Hope that old folks home is comfortable with lots of space, and is not just a stable for the elderly to be shipped off to, like some of them unfortunately are. 

One of my New Year's resolutions is to take a trip through Alberta and B.C, to see as many railroad and historic sights as possible.  Fort Steele and the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel are on my list.  Been putting that trip off for far too long now.

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by NDG on Saturday, December 29, 2018 9:46 PM

 

 

I just got in. Another peer off to the Old Folks Home in the New Year. Cancer and Dementia.

 

Pouring rain in Dec.

 

CP 8554 et al.
 
 
They are pictured here, one of the reasons I posted the Link, earlier.
 
 
Personal life is full of Conundrums and Hospitals, and Funerals rite now.
 

Sorry.

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Posted by Miningman on Saturday, December 29, 2018 9:31 PM

Thanks for your hard work Dude. Simetimes the frustration of the Internet goes beyond the beyond and all you end up with is a sore arse. 

So 2A's and 2B's all accounted for. Maybe a third A to step forward one day. 

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Posted by SD70Dude on Saturday, December 29, 2018 8:57 PM

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by SD70Dude on Saturday, December 29, 2018 8:41 PM

I finally managed to confirm that 2 FM/CLC C-liner B-units are still with us (albeit converted to robot cars), along with CP H-16-44 8554. 

Apparently they are owned by a group called the Locomotive & Railway Historical Society of Western Canada (who I had never heard of before), and are stored at the possibly defunct Mazeppa Processing Partnership gas plant, located approximately 5 miles northeast of High River, AB. 

Exact location is here:  50.647394, -113.772536

With some info from the Canadian Trackside Guide (which unfortunately does not give their correct location), from north to south it appears we have 8554, BCOL RCC3/CP 4455, BCOL RCC4/CP 4456, a unknown gondola/flat, CP lightweight baggage cars 404935 and 404947, with CP automobile boxcar 404097 (nee 295524) between them, CP RS-23 8017, and a unknown caboose. 

This detective work was far harder than it should have been.

Greetings from Alberta

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Posted by SD70Dude on Friday, December 28, 2018 10:05 PM

Overmod
SD70Dude
I think I look like a movie star, but for some reason no one agrees!

You evidently associate with the wrong people.

I like the way you think!

But unfortunately most people see Davis in her prime (or co-stars like Errol Flynn) when they imagine a star, and Muppets don't exactly make that list.

I do a pretty good Statler or Waldorf impression (even though I am not nearly old enough), usually while sitting in a siding for no good reason...

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by Overmod on Friday, December 28, 2018 10:49 AM

SD70Dude
I think I look like a movie star, but for some reason no one agrees!

You evidently associate with the wrong people.

If Bette Davis in her second career, Robert Englund, and Kermit the Frog are all movie stars ... and they are ... what could possibly be grounds for dissent in your case?

NDG
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Posted by NDG on Friday, December 28, 2018 1:19 AM
Entrance.
 
Been as far West on CN as Old Entrance on the Athabasca. Road bridge atop old Rwy bridge when the CN 5400 SD50F Cowls were the latest thing.
 
 
Then, on another trip, East from Jasper and H. Holme and 6060 getting ready for it's trip to Steam Expo, making it to Roche Miette. Never over the portion R M to Entrance, ever.
 
Over to Brazeau/Nordegg when the steel still in from Rocky Mtn House and down the West side to Sask River Crossing. Some of the greatest scenery around.
 
Have seen excellent photos of the still-in-place steel and collapsing bridges way up the Coal Branch, and telegraph poles sticking out of the dunes along the abandoned portions of one of the Transcontinentals.
 
When names such as Warden/Warden Jct and Hanna all meant something and Tonnage.
 
1000 Series GMD1s A1A on all the trains. Grain Elevators all over the place.
 
( Preferred the MLW 1700s which might have done better with 251?? or they just a bit too late??? )
 
Ditto Big Valley and 41. 6060 at 60 on 60 with Highpockets and H H.
 
 
Used to be a Dragline crane from Lima, Ohio just East of Eastend, SK.
 
 
Viewing the Rockies for the first time West of Fort MacLeod from a A Unit against the Wind, and the Slide at Frank.
 
Lots to see at this site.
 
 
Big Land and Shining Mountains out there.
 
 
Go See It!!
 
Thank You.

 

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Posted by SD70Dude on Thursday, December 27, 2018 9:34 PM

Done a fair amount of chasing trains through the bush myself, though not on dirt bikes.  My rides of choice (for better or worse) have been a succession of well-worn decidedly on-road vehicular contraptions that I have managed to get into numerous sketchy locations we had no business going to.  Only gotten stuck a few times and have always gotten myself out, never needed a tow.

The best trails I've been down are sections of the former Canadian Northern grade near Hinton, AB, abandoned for over 90 years now.  They are also close enough to the current CN line that one can watch trains while bushwhacking.

I think I look like a movie star, but for some reason no one agrees!

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by Miningman on Thursday, December 27, 2018 9:04 AM

Yes advances in the Mine plentiful... much safer, way better ground control, better safety measures and equipment, much more mechanization... Mill and Smelter workers behind control panel like a dispatcher, monitors, push screens, auto sampling. Coal and potash is like cutting cheese now. No drill, load and blast. Cheese cutters! Conveyor belts for coal but can't use conveyor belts in hard rock underground. 

Still some poor boy haywire Mines out there. Some Miners like that.

Yes you could hear the Ontario Northland coming for miles and miles, twisting, turning, squel, sounded like it was very close but not, then finally a headlight. Effect enhanced at night. Sometimes it took so long in anticipation that you thought perhaps it was a line somewhere else.

I could go from Burlington to work in Hamilton on the Yamaha on Hwy 403 because of the short distance, but not from the Mining School on Lake Temiskaming back to Burlington for the summer and reverse in the fall. So I shipped it ONR, inexpensive rate like $17 or something, but shipping it back CN $180.00. Get into a shouting match with the station agent in Burlington each year. Same route, same destinations. Always got there though. Didn't have to do anything, just drive it to the station and they handled it from there. Sure can't do that anymore.

I'm certain the Cab of a C Liner OP on mountain grades was a great experience. Unforgettable.

The video of the stationary OP's side by each makes me think steam was not that bad and it makes you wonder. Steam had a good run, 100 years and captured the publics imagination and fondness. 

Nowadays it's just a conveyor belt, out of the public eye, except some rural and commuter. Town depot is either tore down or a chip stand. 

The Yamaha is still around though. Motor seized but in the garage collecting dust. Yeah we all had hard flat bellies and looked like squeaky clean movie stars. Heck, the gals chased us!

Oh well we had our time. Older but wiser (?) I suppose. 

 

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, December 27, 2018 7:31 AM

For all practical purposes, I have no real connection to steam locomotives and don't really miss them (NKP Berkshires were the only ones left and I was 5 years old at the time).  Nevertheless, railroading is still fascinating with either diesels or electrics, and I've continued to return to trackside to watch the show even as it has changed over the years.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
NDG
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Posted by NDG on Thursday, December 27, 2018 2:50 AM
Its Not ' Better .'
 
Its just being there and being part of the experience. Power, Sand under the wheels in the bad places, moving tonnage, and ' Will She Make It? '
 
Better from the cab, looking back. Run 8, on the Ammeter, too.
 
 Not steam, but great to watch.
 
Lovely to hear and heard coming for miles.
 
One adapts, or quits.
 
The Shareholders and Investors like the Diesels.
 
Without Diesels there would be fewer Railways and Trains, account costs, and pollution.
 
Many changes in Mining over the years, Underground, in the Mill, or Smelter. Maybe worse in Coal? Underground.
 
Moving tonnage can be addictive or there would be no interest in standing by the RoW, with a Camera or Tape, or just BEING THERE!.
 
Just watching trains is great, or studying the Civil Engineering and the Works completed a Century ago while waiting for one.
 
Steam would have been Better, in ways, Je Suppose?
 
 
Thank You.
 
Had an IT250 and raced trains thru the bush with it.  Elk, also, sometimes a Bear, when I was young and healthy and had hair.
 
Striped Engineer's cap on Backwards, No Shirt, Cutoffs and Steel Toe Boots. 35 years ago. OPs were still around, in the form of Robot Cars, and the Big MLWs.
 
 
Would like to go back.
 

Third visit to OR coming up.

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Posted by Miningman on Thursday, December 27, 2018 12:49 AM

Reminds me of my old Yamaha motorcycle on the 403, full bore, heading to work at Slater Steel in Hamilton as a student over summer. 

Second observation-- ... and this is better than steam exactly how??

Water vapour into the air and cinders falling to the ground not so bad. 

NDG
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Posted by NDG on Thursday, December 27, 2018 12:06 AM
FYI,
 
OPs in Ottawa.
 
Around 1990 we went to Ottawa, Ontario to see the condition of CP 4065 in the Museum at that location.
 
 
Poor engine looked like JUNK, but that's not the museum's fault.  It was preserved for posterity, then left outside for several years.
 
Heard that story before.
 
CP 4065 Retired and held for Preservation. Before it was moved outside to rot. CP 8554 to right.
 
 
Anyway. The reason for this item..
 
Leaving Ottawa by train to Montreal, we rounded a curve and I noticed two 2 F-M 12 Cylinder OPs outside in the back of a scrap yard. Hmmmm. Neet was the response!
 
Got even Neeter!
 
I mentioned the engines to local Foamer Contingent and the reply was that the scrap yard had had a disagreement with Ontario Hydro regarding usurious electric power rates and elected to use stationary Diesel power instead
 
The two outside were spares.
 
I figured they were there for scrapping!
 
I did not have time to double back and look, as returning West by 'plane next day.
 
No one seemed to care.
 
Years passed and the idea went away..
 
Location of scrap yard on Google.
 
 
Found this video on Youtube. Two OPs powering a hammer-mill in a scrap yard in Ottawa, ON.
 
 
Too bad there was not an external view to listen to the exhaust!
 
I'm 3000 Miles away or I'd go look.
 
Thank You.
 
Like being inside a B Unit on 2% ascending.
 
Think crankcase explosion.
 

When in DC Locomotive Service, the Diesels would cycle up and down in response to the Load Regulator, noise and smoke accompanying. 

More.

NDG
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Posted by NDG on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 4:29 AM

 

Re. CP 1801.
 
More.
 
 
At one time CPR could repair almost everything at Angus Shops.
 

Thank You.

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Posted by Leo_Ames on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 1:25 AM

That CPR E8 wasn't in as minor of an incident as I was led to believe (I've read an obviously erroneous quote of $500 in damages in the past). But it's nice to finally see a picture of what did her in.

It shows what CPR's stance on the passenger business at the time was, though. Very repairable looking and relatively minor, judging by the lack of any obvious deformation behind the cab where it normally would've failed in a heavy impact, absorbing energy to help protect the crew. 

But when you want out of the business and can spare the loss of a dedicated passenger locomotive that you hope you soon won't need, it was a career ending incident. Her sisters I believe both survived to wear Via colors, showing that there was still a lot of life in these 20 year old diesels when this incident happened.

 

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Posted by SD70Dude on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 1:58 PM

Never seen green/black/gold FP9's in A-B-B-A formation before, thanks!

B/O cab heaters still make units trail-only, although with many units having both blower and sidewall strip heaters if one system fails the other will usually keep you warm enough.

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by Miningman on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 12:23 PM

Thanks John, of course you are correct. Must have had a brain cramp.. no the Trainmasters never made it to the Multimark. But the H16-44 did.

Corrected the post so the error does not live on for eternity.

CLC H-16-44 

Fairbanks-Morse H16-44 1600 hp 75 mph road switchers built by CLC. 
8547-8556 (10) equipped with Westinghouse traction motors.
8601-8610 (10) 8709-8728 (20) equipped with GE traction motors. 

Builder's plate for sister unit 8709. Jim Burd Collection

8605 in Tuscan red and grey sits between 8724 and 8726 also H16-44 units in new Action Red
with CP Rail Multimark. Shop track Nelson, BC June 1973 Robert Jordan 

Extra 8609 (4105) backing down onto train in Cranbrook. CLC 2950 12/1956 August 2, 1971 Keith Hansen

8716 Quebec Street yard London 7/29/1972 Al Howlett

NDG
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Posted by NDG on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 12:13 PM
Lest We Forget.
 
Must remember CNR also had these, 5-Axle Power B-A1A. No D/B GE Gear.
 
Upsetting to the Digital Scanners in the day. (  No, they were not around, yet. )
 
Much gasoline spent chasing same from Dorval to Coteau at Psgr Speeds until their demise in 1969.
 
Some were B-Unit Only stenciled on control stand as Heaters B/O.
 
 
When New, and traveled Coast to Coast. Dark inside, no Portholes.
 
 
Near the end.
 
 
 
Memories here.  And Your Old Friend, Diesel.
 
DW&P Units came down to Montreal on occasion,then went to CV.
 
 
One 1 CPB-16-5 B Unit went to GMD @ London, Ontario to be used as a Test Bed w five 5 axles to spread the weight, never happened, and scrapped.
 
The Kat is sulking 'cause I am not acknowledging His Exalted Presence on this Special Day and is shredding Christmas Wrap.  One 1 Present in the whole place, His!
 
Spent an hour on Long Distance and found out just whom is no longer with us, or now in the Dementia Ward.
 
With thoughts of Sugar Plums and OP B Units in their heads.
 
Thank You.
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Posted by SD70Dude on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 11:47 AM

The CP E8's were delivered in a different version of the maroon/silver scheme:

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/298283/

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/298273/

Apart from their lone Train Master the only 6-axle CN CLC/FM units were the unique H-12-46's, with A1A trucks.

Merry Christmas!

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by cx500 on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 11:22 AM

Miningman

Nope, none of the C Liners were painted into the Multimark. Block and Script in the maroon and grey was as far as they got. The Trainmasters and Baby Trainmasters got the Multimark as did a number of older Alcos and switchers. 

 

Hate to correct you once again, but none of the Trainmasters got the multimark.  In fact none even got the script version of the tuscan and grey either.  The only change in paint was when they were converted from long hood front to short hood front ca1960.  The only other group of CPR engines to avoid the multimark (and also script) were the small fleet of 44-tonners built by CLC.  While on the subject, the pair of E-8s and the lone RSD-17 (CP8921) wore both block and multimark schemes, but never bore script.

And baby trainmasters were the H-16-66 model, with the smaller 1600hp engine but 6-wheel trucks like the true Trainmaster (H-24-66).  None were built for service in Canada, although one was bought privately after retirement and imported here.  It was painted into CPR colours as if it was a demonstrator.  Now located in Nelson, BC, along with the C-Liner CP 4104.

CPR (and CNR) had the H-16-44 model.  That ran on 4-wheel trucks so was not a baby trainmaster.  Unfortunately the misnomer continues to be a persistent misconception.

Merry Christmas all.

John Sutherland

NDG
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Posted by NDG on Monday, December 24, 2018 7:23 PM
Hochelaga.
 
When I worked in the Bell and was down the East End in the LAfontaine Exchange, I would drop into CPR Hochelaga Yard just to ' Check Up ' on what CP 8921 was doing.
 
 
Well, one day I Swerved  ( you don't just Drive in Quebec, you Emote and Swerve and Kalaxonnez, one finger almost always vertical. Trudeau { Pere } Salut  they called it later. ) off Rue Ontario into the CP yard.
 
NO! CP 8921 was NOT there, it had gone to Torrana, to become an Empress, if you will, BUT! CP 8901 WAS!!!
 
 
I hied to a Terminal, in Lead, and, using my 1011B Linemans Test Set. called not Mr. Watson, but all the faithful and spread the News!
 
1011B Linemans Test Set. Rubber, Pencil to dial, or fingernail. Would survive a drop from a pole.
 
 
A second Jolt in less than a year, not from 48 V DC and Dial Tone in Step, but D&H had just rewarded us with PAs ex Albany, and NOW Train Masters, just like Lionel said.
 
 
CP 8407, a MLW RS 2 showed up a while later, making the day. 
 
 
FWIW.
 
 
 
Hochelaga Hill Before the Diesels came.
 
 
 
 
Coal Burner. Hochelaga.
 
 
From this site.
 
 
 
St Luc. Ex 0-6-6-0. Went by the end of our street daily.
 
 
 
Have to go and Vacuum.
 
Groan.
 
The Kat dislikes the Vacuum even more than Camels
 
 
Thank You.
 
 
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Posted by Miningman on Monday, December 24, 2018 4:18 PM

Nope, none of the C Liners were painted into the Multimark. Block and Script in the maroon and grey was as far as they got. Baby Trainmasters got the Multimark as did a number of a older Alcos and switchers. 

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Posted by SD70Dude on Monday, December 24, 2018 3:40 PM

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by SD70Dude on Monday, December 24, 2018 3:09 PM

Did any C-Liners ever get repainted into the Action Red with Multimark scheme?

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

NDG
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Posted by NDG on Monday, December 24, 2018 1:52 PM
 
 
FYI.
 
On one of our forays to CNR Pointe St Charles Shops we found a 12-cylinder OP engine under a tarp which later disappeared, probably? from CN 3000/2900 Train Master.  The locomotive was there, also.
 
 
CNR 3000/2900 and CP 8900 had BOTH F-M and CLC Builders Plates above front truck.
 
On Passenger, as intended, with Dynamometer car.
 
 
 
Many CNR OPs went to an outside scrap yard with their Diesels still in. MLW 244 power wound up there in quantity. ( and, earlier, MTC PCCs. )
 
 
After retirement, most of the CPR OP Diesels were removed from their locomotives and sent to an oilfield outfit in Texas.
 
Some went to Baltimore. After Donating their GE Motors for new MLW Power.
 
 
The CP OPs did not owe CPR a cent. Heavy Mountain service in Run 8 for HOURS at single-digit speeds much of the time, in clouds of sand, the train strung out around several tight curves behind.
 
Temperature range from 95 F in Summer to - 40 in Winter.
 
CNRs last OPs ran until 1969, still operating at Psgr train speeds btwn Montreal and Toronto.
 
The Word came down to Tie Up Serviceable all CPR 1600 HP OP at Calgary, and in a week, this was accomplished, leaving another void, of sorts.
 
In early 1975 saw five 5 OPs headed East, an A on each end account no front MU and remarked that this was unusual to see pure consists ' these days. '
 
CP OP Tied Up Serviceable, Calgary. Stacks Capped. 1975.
 
 
 
 
FWIW.
 
While looking for data on the CP OPs, found this image.
 
The End of an E8.
 
 
From this site.
 
 

Thank You.

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Posted by BaltACD on Monday, December 24, 2018 12:30 PM

B&O was still using FM's in yard service in Baltimore in the early 1970's.  Toward the middle 70's they went to scrap as excess EMD yard power from outlying locations replaced the FM's in Baltimore.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Miningman on Monday, December 24, 2018 10:10 AM

The CPR held onto their FM (CLC) power longer and in greater numbers than anywhere else in North America....some even making it to the multimark paint, Trainmasters and Baby Trainmasters. Everyone else had long since scrapped them. 

At the end the C Liners didn't own the CPR a dime. 

Very nice picture, clean locomotive, block lettering , no oil streaks down the sides. Classic.

NDG
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Posted by NDG on Monday, December 24, 2018 9:17 AM
FYI.
 
CP 4105.
 
Here is a nice clear photo of CP 4105 @ Nelson, B.C.
 
 
Only CP 4104-05 had the lift rings on the nose, Bottom grab iron on side of carbody rather than on nose in early versions.
 
Both CP 4056 and CP 4105 went for scrap w S/G still in place. Water Tank filler in side skirt.
 
Worn out by the Mountains where GMs could not cut it.
 

Thank You.

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 7:15 AM

NDG
GTP Locomotive and Spreader.
 
 
Spreaders of this type lasted into Eighties. When in Snow Service usually coupled behind a Plow ahead of locomotive. 
 

 
Rebuilt Jordan spreaders are currently assigned to snowfighting service over Donner Pass.
 
 
The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul

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