Since sensationalizing of video titles seems to be commonplace and indeed encouraged these days I figured I'd try my hand at it... There is some truth to the title however as I've managed to catch some of CN's rare GMD-1u's over the last few weeks, including some low-speed drag freight action with the units grinding away in run 8. Built for CN and NAR between 1958-1960, these vintage 12-567 powered units intended for light axle-loading prairie branchlines have proven to be survivors, with 10 active units on the roster (at time of posting) among the droves of GP38-2's, GMTX leasers, and GP9Rm's. Five units - 1408, 1412, 1437, 1439, and 1444 - are stationed around southern Ontario and based out of Toronto for maintenance. Having been rebuilt a couple of times over the years in some of CN's large-scale overhaul programs, the 60+ year old locomotives carry on in CN's aging fleet of four-axle yard power. Their unconventional appearance and throaty engine sound make them railfan favourites and I find myself trying to shoot them every chance I get because one day, hopefully not soon, they will be retired as newer and larger yard power becomes available. So sit back and enjoy some of CN's more endearing power as they move cars around in the Hamilton and Brantford areas. If yard switching is your thing, the second half of the video covers part of a morning at spent at Brantford when CN 1439 rode to the rescue after the regularly-assigned yard power ran out of fuel.
0:00 CN L551 Eastbound Run 7/19
11:27 CN L551 Westbound Run 7/15
14:09 CN L580 Yard Switching at Brantford 7/03
As always, thank you for watching.