No-(2

(

CANADIAN RAILROAD HISTORICAL ASSO CIATION j INC (

ggTOBER 1950 0

The r egula r monthly meet i ng of the Association will b e held i n Room 153 of the Queen s Hotel on T hursday ~ October 19 ~ 1950 ~ a t 8000 P M

The c hange i n meet ing night has been ma de in orde r t hat members who are int e rest ed in pho togr a phy can at tend a le ctu r e entitled Be t tel Color Pho t ogra phy by IvIr 0 ACe Shelton of ff Anac o Binghamton NoY0 on Wednesday Oc t ober 11th at 8015 PIvIo in the Montreal High Sc hool Audit or i um 3449 University St r e et o The lecture i s sponsored by the Mont r ea l Camera Club a nd i s open t o a l l persons interestedo

On October 1s t the Association held a rai lroad excursion from Montrea l t o Hube r de au Que o t o c ommemorate the 25th anniversary of the f amous Montreal t o Va nc ou ve r run of Canadian National Ra i Lways di ese l =ele ctric rail car 1115820 i n 67 ho urs 0 The ex curs ion was ve ry s uc c eas f u I wi t h the t ra in fi lled to e a pac it y Diese l -electri c rail car 15837 and coach 3409 made up the cons ist The train left Central Station at 815 AMo standar d time and tra ve lled to Val Royal via Turcot Yards and the J a c qu es Cartier Subdivision (fre ight s ervice only ) rather tha n through the Mount Royal tunneL Numerous s t ops a t s c eni c plac es were made on the way up to Huberdeau fo r the benefit of photogr a ph er s a s Autumn colors of the t r ee s made the Laurent ian scenery a perfect s e t t ing f or t he trip o An hour a nd a half was spent at Huberdeau befo r e maki ng t he return trip Many of the part i c ipa nts wondered whether 1115837 woul d make the stiff grades on t h i s l ine s but the rail c a r proved i t s e l f by doing a n excellent job Guests of the Ass ociation on the trip were - from t h e CoNRo = Mr o EJ Feasey General Super v isor of Diesel Powe r- Mr 0 130ivin ~ Gene r a l Superint e rident of t he District Mro J o Ao Nobert Assistant Supe r-int e nde rrt yenJr o ~L r

Moore Di st r i c t Pa sseng e r Agent a nd ~rr 10 Sylve stre ~ now of Montre a l Loc omotive Works s who made t h e trans - cont inent a l tri p on 7158200

Di esel=Electric Road Switche r s t o re place ele ctric a nd steam t rains betwe en Mont real ~

Granby an d ljifa t erloo lt _~

The CoN Ra i Lways has pla ced an order for l (~ diesel=ele ctric l oc omot i ves with Cana d i a n Loc omot i ve Works a t Kingston ~ Onto They wi l l be 1000 hp Ro ad S1rlit chers of t he oppos ed-ipdston Fairbank s ~Mo rs e de sign Three of t he s e loc omotives will replace Morrtr-ea L amp South c r- n Counties Railway e l e ctric trains betwee n Mont r ea l and Granby ~ and Canadian National Raf Lways st eam t r a i ns between Mont r-e a L Granby and vifat e r l oo ~ o pe r at ing via St Johns and Farnham Qu e The balance of t he Loc omot Lve s 0

will be plac ed i n s er vice betwee n Matapedia and Gaspe 0

(

( CANADIAN RAILROAQ HIS1QgICAL ASSOGIATION 1 INC

gCTOBER 1950 0

The regular monthly meeting of the Association will be held in Room 153 of the Queens Hotel on Thursday~ October 19 s 1950~ a t ELoo PoM

The chanE~e in meeting night has been made in order that members Tho are interested in photography can attend a lecture entitled Better Color Photography by Mr 0 A Ce Shelton of ffAns co lT Binghamton ~ NoYo on Wednesday October 11th at 815 PoMo in the Montreal High School Auditorium 3449 University Streeto The lecture is sponsored by the Montreal Camera Club and is open to all persons interestedo

On October 1st the Association held a railroad excursion from 1middot10ntreal to Huberdeau Que to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the famous Montreal to Vancouver run of Canadian National RaihiTays Y

diesel=electric rail car 15820 in 67 hours 0 The excursion vvas very successful with the train filled to capacity Diesel-electric rail car 15837 and coach 3409 made up the consisto The train left Central Station at 8 0 15 AMo standard time and travelled to Val Royal via Turcot Yards and the Jacques Cartier Subdivision (freight service only) rather than through the Mount Royal tunnel Numerous stops at scenic places were made on the way up to Huberdeau for the benefit of photographers as Autumn colors of the trees made the Laur entian scenery a perfect setting for the tripo An hour and a half vm s spent at Huberdeau before making the return trip Many of the participants wondered whether 1115837 would make the stiff grades on this lineraquo but the rail car proved itself by doing an excellent job Guests of the Association on the trip were - from the C NoRo = l1ro EJo Feasey ~

General Supervisor of Diesel POlfer~ Mro 00 Boivins General Superintendent of the District Mro Jo Ac Nobert Assistant Superintendent 9 yenlro ~Jro

Moore ~ District Passenger Agent and Mr 10 Sylvestreraquo noof Montreal Locomotive Works ~ who made the trans~continental trip on 11158200

Diesel-Electric Road Sw~t chers to replace electric and steam trains betwmiddoteen Montrealraquo

Granby and va~er19o _ _

The CoNa Raihtays has placed an order for l(~ di~f=electric locomotives with Canadian Locomotive Works at Kingston~ Onto They will be 1000 hp Road S1tTitchers of the opposed-piston ~ Fairbanks~JlIorse designo Three of these locomotives will replace Montreal amp SoutJvJrn Count ies Railway electric trains betilleen Montreal and Granbyraquo and Canadian National Railways steam trains between lVlontreal ~ Granby and Vlfat erloo ~ operating via St Johns and Farnham ~ Que The balance of t he 10comot iv8E will be placed in service betvleen Matapedia and Gaspe

v

=2=

Delivery of the locomot ive s is expect ed ear-Ly next year The t h r ee engines assigned tomiddot the Mamp S C Rai lwa y will r un out of Central Stat i on to IIL amp S e C Junct i on thence via TvL amp S C t o Granby a nd CoN H to Waterloo Electrication will lat e r be r-emove d between Marievill e and Granby and 11amp S o Co electric cars 1iTi l l only continue to oper at e as far a s Marieville and St Ange le It is expected sershyvice wi l l be speeded up by 30 mi nutes

~rRIL EHMONT 1QQHR1SlEN LOC0IvIOTIVE AFTER ET ALBANsn

Reverting to a practice prevalent i h the earl y days of r-at Lro adang the Central Vermont Railway ill chr-Lste n one of it s fleet and powerfu L mountain type passenger l oc omot i ves the City of St Albans ll as a highlight of the railwa y ce ntenni a l day celebrat ion in St Albans Wednesday October 19o Locomot i ve NOD 601~ whi ch is now i n the local CV shops fo r overhaul and painting has been s ele cted as t he engine which wi l l be t h e first CV lo comot ive to carry a name in more than three score year s

PUB LISHER~ RJo Joedicke EDITOR A Toohey 236g Beaco nsfiel d Ave o~ NON THEA1~ Clue

=2=

Delivery of the locomotives is expected early next yearo The three engines assigned tomiddot the Mamp SoGo Railway will run out of Central Station to lViamp s c Junction thence via lvLamp S ltgt C to Granby and CNorL to Waterloo Electrication will later be removed between lVlarieville and Granby and 110amp s C electric cars lidll only continue to operate as far as 11Iarieville and St 0 Angele A It is expected ser~ vice will be speeded up by 30 minuteso

ffCI~NTRJL VEHMONT TO CHRISTEN LOC0N01IVE AFTER S1 oALBANsrt _____ ~ _ -or -0_

Reverting to a practice prevalent in the early ciays of railroading~ the Central Vermont Railway lill chris-ten one of its fleet and pmrlerful mountain type passenger locomotives the City of Sto Albans u as a highlight of the railway centennial day celebration in Sto Albans Wednesday October 19 Locomotive NOD 601~ which is now in the local CV shops for overhaul and painting j

has been selected as the engine vJhich will be the first CV locomotive to carry a name in more than three score years~

PUBLISHER RaJo Joedicke EDITOR Ao Toohey 236a Beaconsfield Aveo IV10NTREA1~ CJU80

shyTHE DEVELOPIvlJ lfl OF r UE

DIESE L ~ELECIEI C RAIL CAli --~--__-_ _~

( The Canadian National Ra i Lwa ys ~ one of the wor-Ld t s larg est

s ystems had its beginning in Canada l s f irs t steam r ai lwa y the Champlai n amp Saint LaHren c e Railroad which startHd opera t i on i n 1836 a s a por tage line on the water route between Montrea l a nd New York o Thi s lith the Mont r eal and La ch ine l ine opened e Leve n years l at er a nd s eve ral othe r early r-a iLways became part of the Grand Tr u nk Rai l wa y of Canada ~1i c h was incorporated in 185 20

During th e year 1918 the Canadian Northern system the Canadian Government RaI Lways a nd the Grand Trunk Pac ific Ra i Lway wer-e a malgamat ed under a single management and t he unifie d l ines were g iven t h e title of Canadian Nat i ona l Hai1wayso In 1923 t he Grand Trunk Ra i Lway was added a nd t he sys tem f us ed int o one ope rating u n i t a Ma ny of the line s of the n ew Canadian Nationa l System l a y in spar selyshys ettled country a nd a great d ea l of t he mot ive power was in ne e d of r eplacement 0 Cons equ ently at t ent ion was focussed on obtaining ne w power whi ch c ould b e o perat ed economically i n light=traffic t errit ory and provide fair ly fre qu ent service on branch lineso Storage bat tery c ars ~ ga s oline a nd gas-ele ct ric cars were developed and d i d their s har e to cut down cost s bu t a ll of t hese had serious faults - they we r e but part=way measu r e s 0

I n t he aut umn of 1 923 ~ the l a t e CoEo Brooks raquo who wa s t h e n Superi nt endent of Motive Power made an ext ensive tour of America a nd Europe to investiga te the l atest railway e quipment de ve Lopments a nd to ascertain what type of power would be s t suit the r equirement s of service on the Natio na l systema He found l i ttle on ot her r ailway lines t hat cou l d be a dopt e d prof i t a bl y by t he Canadian National on his ltmy home f r om Sweden however he stoppe d over in Gl a s gow Sc otland and paid a v i sit t o the pl ant of th e William Beardmere Company wher-e s evera l a i r s h i p moto r s wer-e on test lVIro Br ooks saw t hat these e ng i n e s 0

mi ght be a da pt ed to red-bray use and his opinion was shared by t he c h ie f des igners of the manufactur ing company Arrangements wer-e t he r ef ore made whereby the Beardme r e Compa ny wou l d supply a number of modified power plants for experimental r ailwa y purposes in Canadao

llllr 0 Brooks r et ur ne d to this c ou ntry a nd orde r s wer-e pLa c ed 1rdth the Ot t awa Ca r Ma nufact urd ng Company f or n ine s pe c i a l motorcoach bod ies which WOuld be e qu i ppe d vdth t he Bear -dmor-e diesel engi ne s 0 Canadian Vlfest i nghou se supplie d g e ner a t or s a nd tract ion moto r-s t o trans f er t he power of the die s e l s to t he driving axles The compLe ted units were a s semble d a t t h e Po i nt e St Charles Sho ps of t he Ca na d i a n National Ral Lway s dur ing t he e arly part of 19250

Thus was bo rn the diesel-electric Rail Gar o

By t he month of August ~ t 1tTO un i t s wer-e ready fo r tests ~

15819 a s ingle self- propelled coa ch and 1 5817 a n artic ulated unit o These c a r s were put t hrough s ever e tests on va r ious runs i n Eastern Cana da = the large one operat i ng out of t h e Tunnel IerminaL Ln 10c1 s ervice between Mont r ea l and Ott awa over the no w- abandoned LOriD-81 Subdivi s ion The s maller c a r successfully c omplet ed r uns i n t he Toronto a r ea and returning to Ivlontreal ~ made t he 33Lt-=mile j ourn G)r cI shya tot al r ue l c ost of but $30980

(

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DIESEL~ELEClHIC RAIL CAli - rtQ

The Canadian National Railways ~ one of the vrorld s largest systerns~ had its beginning in Canadals first stearn railway~ the Champlain amp Saint LaVfrence Railroad which started operation in 1836 as a portage line on the water route between Montreal and New Yorko This 9 with the Montreal and Lachine line opened eleven years later and several other early railvvays ~ became part of the Grand Trunk Railvfay of Canada ~ 1ilhich was incorporated in 18520

During the year 1918~ the Canadian Northern system ~ the Canadian Government Raihvays and the Grand Trunk Pacific Rai11riay were amalgamated under a single management and the unified lines were given the title of Canadian National Hailvvays 0 In 1923 ~ the Grand Trunk Raihvay was added and the system fused into one operating unit 0

Many of the lines of the new Canadian National System lay in sparselyshysettled country and a great deal of the motive power was in need of replacement 0 Consequently ~ attention was focussed on obtaining nevIT power which could be operated economically in light~traffic territory and provide fairly frequent service on branch lineso Storage battery cars~ gasoline and gas-electric cars were developed and did their share to cut down costs but all of these had serious faults - they were but part-way measures

In the autumn of 1923~ the late GoE Brooksraquo rfho vms then Superintendent of Motive Pover~ made an extensive tour of America and Europe to investigate the latest railway equipment developments and to ascertain lrJhat type of p01rTer would best suit the requirements of service on the National systerno He found little on other railway lines that could be adopted profitably by the Canadian National on his twy home from Sweden~ however~ he stopped over in Glasgow s Scotland~ and paid a visit to the plant of thE~ William Beardmere Company I-1here several airship motors ere on test Mr 0 Brooks saw that these engine might be adapted to rclihmy use and his opinion was shared by the chi (middotltI designers of the manufacturing company 0 Arrangements mre therefore made whereby the Bear-dmere Company would supply a number of modified power plants for experimental raihay purpos es in Canada 0

1gt11 0 Brooks returned to this country and ordecs were pIa Ged with the Otta1TB Car Manufacturing Company for nine special motorcoacfi bodies which WOuld be equipped with the Beardmere diesel engines o Canadian Westinghouse supplied generators and traction motors to transfer the power of the diesels to the driving axles The compl e 1jed units were assembled at the Pointe Sto Charles Shops of the Canadian National Railways during the early part of 19250

Thus was born the diesel~electric Rail Car o

By the month of August ~ t wo units were ready for tests~ 1115819~ a single self~propelled coach~ and 7115817 raquo an articulated unit 0

These cars Viere put through severe tests on varlous runs in Edsterrl Canada = the large one operating out of the Tunnel Terminal Ln locl service betVfeen Montreal and Ottawa over the now=abandoned L Ori D131 Subdivision The smaller car successfully completed runs in the Toronto area and returning to l~lontreal ~ made the 334middot=mile journG)r DY

a total ruel cost of but $3980

=2=

Delivery of the locomot ive s is expect ed ear-Ly next year The t h r ee engines assigned tomiddot the Mamp S C Rai lwa y will r un out of Central Stat i on to IIL amp S e C Junct i on thence via TvL amp S C t o Granby a nd CoN H to Waterloo Electrication will lat e r be r-emove d between Marievill e and Granby and 11amp S o Co electric cars 1iTi l l only continue to oper at e as far a s Marieville and St Ange le It is expected sershyvice wi l l be speeded up by 30 mi nutes

~rRIL EHMONT 1QQHR1SlEN LOC0IvIOTIVE AFTER ET ALBANsn

Reverting to a practice prevalent i h the earl y days of r-at Lro adang the Central Vermont Railway ill chr-Lste n one of it s fleet and powerfu L mountain type passenger l oc omot i ves the City of St Albans ll as a highlight of the railwa y ce ntenni a l day celebrat ion in St Albans Wednesday October 19o Locomot i ve NOD 601~ whi ch is now i n the local CV shops fo r overhaul and painting has been s ele cted as t he engine which wi l l be t h e first CV lo comot ive to carry a name in more than three score year s

PUB LISHER~ RJo Joedicke EDITOR A Toohey 236g Beaco nsfiel d Ave o~ NON THEA1~ Clue

=2=

Delivery of the locomotives is expected early next yearo The three engines assigned tomiddot the Mamp SoGo Railway will run out of Central Station to lViamp s c Junction thence via lvLamp S ltgt C to Granby and CNorL to Waterloo Electrication will later be removed between lVlarieville and Granby and 110amp s C electric cars lidll only continue to operate as far as 11Iarieville and St 0 Angele A It is expected ser~ vice will be speeded up by 30 minuteso

ffCI~NTRJL VEHMONT TO CHRISTEN LOC0N01IVE AFTER S1 oALBANsrt _____ ~ _ -or -0_

Reverting to a practice prevalent in the early ciays of railroading~ the Central Vermont Railway lill chris-ten one of its fleet and pmrlerful mountain type passenger locomotives the City of Sto Albans u as a highlight of the railway centennial day celebration in Sto Albans Wednesday October 19 Locomotive NOD 601~ which is now in the local CV shops for overhaul and painting j

has been selected as the engine vJhich will be the first CV locomotive to carry a name in more than three score years~

PUBLISHER RaJo Joedicke EDITOR Ao Toohey 236a Beaconsfield Aveo IV10NTREA1~ CJU80

shyTHE DEVELOPIvlJ lfl OF r UE

DIESE L ~ELECIEI C RAIL CAli --~--__-_ _~

( The Canadian National Ra i Lwa ys ~ one of the wor-Ld t s larg est

s ystems had its beginning in Canada l s f irs t steam r ai lwa y the Champlai n amp Saint LaHren c e Railroad which startHd opera t i on i n 1836 a s a por tage line on the water route between Montrea l a nd New York o Thi s lith the Mont r eal and La ch ine l ine opened e Leve n years l at er a nd s eve ral othe r early r-a iLways became part of the Grand Tr u nk Rai l wa y of Canada ~1i c h was incorporated in 185 20

During th e year 1918 the Canadian Northern system the Canadian Government RaI Lways a nd the Grand Trunk Pac ific Ra i Lway wer-e a malgamat ed under a single management and t he unifie d l ines were g iven t h e title of Canadian Nat i ona l Hai1wayso In 1923 t he Grand Trunk Ra i Lway was added a nd t he sys tem f us ed int o one ope rating u n i t a Ma ny of the line s of the n ew Canadian Nationa l System l a y in spar selyshys ettled country a nd a great d ea l of t he mot ive power was in ne e d of r eplacement 0 Cons equ ently at t ent ion was focussed on obtaining ne w power whi ch c ould b e o perat ed economically i n light=traffic t errit ory and provide fair ly fre qu ent service on branch lineso Storage bat tery c ars ~ ga s oline a nd gas-ele ct ric cars were developed and d i d their s har e to cut down cost s bu t a ll of t hese had serious faults - they we r e but part=way measu r e s 0

I n t he aut umn of 1 923 ~ the l a t e CoEo Brooks raquo who wa s t h e n Superi nt endent of Motive Power made an ext ensive tour of America a nd Europe to investiga te the l atest railway e quipment de ve Lopments a nd to ascertain what type of power would be s t suit the r equirement s of service on the Natio na l systema He found l i ttle on ot her r ailway lines t hat cou l d be a dopt e d prof i t a bl y by t he Canadian National on his ltmy home f r om Sweden however he stoppe d over in Gl a s gow Sc otland and paid a v i sit t o the pl ant of th e William Beardmere Company wher-e s evera l a i r s h i p moto r s wer-e on test lVIro Br ooks saw t hat these e ng i n e s 0

mi ght be a da pt ed to red-bray use and his opinion was shared by t he c h ie f des igners of the manufactur ing company Arrangements wer-e t he r ef ore made whereby the Beardme r e Compa ny wou l d supply a number of modified power plants for experimental r ailwa y purposes in Canadao

llllr 0 Brooks r et ur ne d to this c ou ntry a nd orde r s wer-e pLa c ed 1rdth the Ot t awa Ca r Ma nufact urd ng Company f or n ine s pe c i a l motorcoach bod ies which WOuld be e qu i ppe d vdth t he Bear -dmor-e diesel engi ne s 0 Canadian Vlfest i nghou se supplie d g e ner a t or s a nd tract ion moto r-s t o trans f er t he power of the die s e l s to t he driving axles The compLe ted units were a s semble d a t t h e Po i nt e St Charles Sho ps of t he Ca na d i a n National Ral Lway s dur ing t he e arly part of 19250

Thus was bo rn the diesel-electric Rail Gar o

By t he month of August ~ t 1tTO un i t s wer-e ready fo r tests ~

15819 a s ingle self- propelled coa ch and 1 5817 a n artic ulated unit o These c a r s were put t hrough s ever e tests on va r ious runs i n Eastern Cana da = the large one operat i ng out of t h e Tunnel IerminaL Ln 10c1 s ervice between Mont r ea l and Ott awa over the no w- abandoned LOriD-81 Subdivi s ion The s maller c a r successfully c omplet ed r uns i n t he Toronto a r ea and returning to Ivlontreal ~ made t he 33Lt-=mile j ourn G)r cI shya tot al r ue l c ost of but $30980

(

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DIESEL~ELEClHIC RAIL CAli - rtQ

The Canadian National Railways ~ one of the vrorld s largest systerns~ had its beginning in Canadals first stearn railway~ the Champlain amp Saint LaVfrence Railroad which started operation in 1836 as a portage line on the water route between Montreal and New Yorko This 9 with the Montreal and Lachine line opened eleven years later and several other early railvvays ~ became part of the Grand Trunk Railvfay of Canada ~ 1ilhich was incorporated in 18520

During the year 1918~ the Canadian Northern system ~ the Canadian Government Raihvays and the Grand Trunk Pacific Rai11riay were amalgamated under a single management and the unified lines were given the title of Canadian National Hailvvays 0 In 1923 ~ the Grand Trunk Raihvay was added and the system fused into one operating unit 0

Many of the lines of the new Canadian National System lay in sparselyshysettled country and a great deal of the motive power was in need of replacement 0 Consequently ~ attention was focussed on obtaining nevIT power which could be operated economically in light~traffic territory and provide fairly frequent service on branch lineso Storage battery cars~ gasoline and gas-electric cars were developed and did their share to cut down costs but all of these had serious faults - they were but part-way measures

In the autumn of 1923~ the late GoE Brooksraquo rfho vms then Superintendent of Motive Pover~ made an extensive tour of America and Europe to investigate the latest railway equipment developments and to ascertain lrJhat type of p01rTer would best suit the requirements of service on the National systerno He found little on other railway lines that could be adopted profitably by the Canadian National on his twy home from Sweden~ however~ he stopped over in Glasgow s Scotland~ and paid a visit to the plant of thE~ William Beardmere Company I-1here several airship motors ere on test Mr 0 Brooks saw that these engine might be adapted to rclihmy use and his opinion was shared by the chi (middotltI designers of the manufacturing company 0 Arrangements mre therefore made whereby the Bear-dmere Company would supply a number of modified power plants for experimental raihay purpos es in Canada 0

1gt11 0 Brooks returned to this country and ordecs were pIa Ged with the Otta1TB Car Manufacturing Company for nine special motorcoacfi bodies which WOuld be equipped with the Beardmere diesel engines o Canadian Westinghouse supplied generators and traction motors to transfer the power of the diesels to the driving axles The compl e 1jed units were assembled at the Pointe Sto Charles Shops of the Canadian National Railways during the early part of 19250

Thus was born the diesel~electric Rail Car o

By the month of August ~ t wo units were ready for tests~ 1115819~ a single self~propelled coach~ and 7115817 raquo an articulated unit 0

These cars Viere put through severe tests on varlous runs in Edsterrl Canada = the large one operating out of the Tunnel Terminal Ln locl service betVfeen Montreal and Ottawa over the now=abandoned L Ori D131 Subdivision The smaller car successfully completed runs in the Toronto area and returning to l~lontreal ~ made the 334middot=mile journG)r DY

a total ruel cost of but $3980

shyTHE DEVELOPIvlJ lfl OF r UE

DIESE L ~ELECIEI C RAIL CAli --~--__-_ _~

( The Canadian National Ra i Lwa ys ~ one of the wor-Ld t s larg est

s ystems had its beginning in Canada l s f irs t steam r ai lwa y the Champlai n amp Saint LaHren c e Railroad which startHd opera t i on i n 1836 a s a por tage line on the water route between Montrea l a nd New York o Thi s lith the Mont r eal and La ch ine l ine opened e Leve n years l at er a nd s eve ral othe r early r-a iLways became part of the Grand Tr u nk Rai l wa y of Canada ~1i c h was incorporated in 185 20

During th e year 1918 the Canadian Northern system the Canadian Government RaI Lways a nd the Grand Trunk Pac ific Ra i Lway wer-e a malgamat ed under a single management and t he unifie d l ines were g iven t h e title of Canadian Nat i ona l Hai1wayso In 1923 t he Grand Trunk Ra i Lway was added a nd t he sys tem f us ed int o one ope rating u n i t a Ma ny of the line s of the n ew Canadian Nationa l System l a y in spar selyshys ettled country a nd a great d ea l of t he mot ive power was in ne e d of r eplacement 0 Cons equ ently at t ent ion was focussed on obtaining ne w power whi ch c ould b e o perat ed economically i n light=traffic t errit ory and provide fair ly fre qu ent service on branch lineso Storage bat tery c ars ~ ga s oline a nd gas-ele ct ric cars were developed and d i d their s har e to cut down cost s bu t a ll of t hese had serious faults - they we r e but part=way measu r e s 0

I n t he aut umn of 1 923 ~ the l a t e CoEo Brooks raquo who wa s t h e n Superi nt endent of Motive Power made an ext ensive tour of America a nd Europe to investiga te the l atest railway e quipment de ve Lopments a nd to ascertain what type of power would be s t suit the r equirement s of service on the Natio na l systema He found l i ttle on ot her r ailway lines t hat cou l d be a dopt e d prof i t a bl y by t he Canadian National on his ltmy home f r om Sweden however he stoppe d over in Gl a s gow Sc otland and paid a v i sit t o the pl ant of th e William Beardmere Company wher-e s evera l a i r s h i p moto r s wer-e on test lVIro Br ooks saw t hat these e ng i n e s 0

mi ght be a da pt ed to red-bray use and his opinion was shared by t he c h ie f des igners of the manufactur ing company Arrangements wer-e t he r ef ore made whereby the Beardme r e Compa ny wou l d supply a number of modified power plants for experimental r ailwa y purposes in Canadao

llllr 0 Brooks r et ur ne d to this c ou ntry a nd orde r s wer-e pLa c ed 1rdth the Ot t awa Ca r Ma nufact urd ng Company f or n ine s pe c i a l motorcoach bod ies which WOuld be e qu i ppe d vdth t he Bear -dmor-e diesel engi ne s 0 Canadian Vlfest i nghou se supplie d g e ner a t or s a nd tract ion moto r-s t o trans f er t he power of the die s e l s to t he driving axles The compLe ted units were a s semble d a t t h e Po i nt e St Charles Sho ps of t he Ca na d i a n National Ral Lway s dur ing t he e arly part of 19250

Thus was bo rn the diesel-electric Rail Gar o

By t he month of August ~ t 1tTO un i t s wer-e ready fo r tests ~

15819 a s ingle self- propelled coa ch and 1 5817 a n artic ulated unit o These c a r s were put t hrough s ever e tests on va r ious runs i n Eastern Cana da = the large one operat i ng out of t h e Tunnel IerminaL Ln 10c1 s ervice between Mont r ea l and Ott awa over the no w- abandoned LOriD-81 Subdivi s ion The s maller c a r successfully c omplet ed r uns i n t he Toronto a r ea and returning to Ivlontreal ~ made t he 33Lt-=mile j ourn G)r cI shya tot al r ue l c ost of but $30980

(

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DIESEL~ELEClHIC RAIL CAli - rtQ

The Canadian National Railways ~ one of the vrorld s largest systerns~ had its beginning in Canadals first stearn railway~ the Champlain amp Saint LaVfrence Railroad which started operation in 1836 as a portage line on the water route between Montreal and New Yorko This 9 with the Montreal and Lachine line opened eleven years later and several other early railvvays ~ became part of the Grand Trunk Railvfay of Canada ~ 1ilhich was incorporated in 18520

During the year 1918~ the Canadian Northern system ~ the Canadian Government Raihvays and the Grand Trunk Pacific Rai11riay were amalgamated under a single management and the unified lines were given the title of Canadian National Hailvvays 0 In 1923 ~ the Grand Trunk Raihvay was added and the system fused into one operating unit 0

Many of the lines of the new Canadian National System lay in sparselyshysettled country and a great deal of the motive power was in need of replacement 0 Consequently ~ attention was focussed on obtaining nevIT power which could be operated economically in light~traffic territory and provide fairly frequent service on branch lineso Storage battery cars~ gasoline and gas-electric cars were developed and did their share to cut down costs but all of these had serious faults - they were but part-way measures

In the autumn of 1923~ the late GoE Brooksraquo rfho vms then Superintendent of Motive Pover~ made an extensive tour of America and Europe to investigate the latest railway equipment developments and to ascertain lrJhat type of p01rTer would best suit the requirements of service on the National systerno He found little on other railway lines that could be adopted profitably by the Canadian National on his twy home from Sweden~ however~ he stopped over in Glasgow s Scotland~ and paid a visit to the plant of thE~ William Beardmere Company I-1here several airship motors ere on test Mr 0 Brooks saw that these engine might be adapted to rclihmy use and his opinion was shared by the chi (middotltI designers of the manufacturing company 0 Arrangements mre therefore made whereby the Bear-dmere Company would supply a number of modified power plants for experimental raihay purpos es in Canada 0

1gt11 0 Brooks returned to this country and ordecs were pIa Ged with the Otta1TB Car Manufacturing Company for nine special motorcoacfi bodies which WOuld be equipped with the Beardmere diesel engines o Canadian Westinghouse supplied generators and traction motors to transfer the power of the diesels to the driving axles The compl e 1jed units were assembled at the Pointe Sto Charles Shops of the Canadian National Railways during the early part of 19250

Thus was born the diesel~electric Rail Car o

By the month of August ~ t wo units were ready for tests~ 1115819~ a single self~propelled coach~ and 7115817 raquo an articulated unit 0

These cars Viere put through severe tests on varlous runs in Edsterrl Canada = the large one operating out of the Tunnel Terminal Ln locl service betVfeen Montreal and Ottawa over the now=abandoned L Ori D131 Subdivision The smaller car successfully completed runs in the Toronto area and returning to l~lontreal ~ made the 334middot=mile journG)r DY

a total ruel cost of but $3980

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The newspa per a nd maga zine ar-t ic Le s of the day were( enthusiastic a bout t h e new mean s of motv e powe r ~ but it i s doubtful whe t h e r ma ny who s aw the c a r s reali z ed the fu l l s i gn i fi cance that they he l d for the f uture of Ame r ican r-a i Lroa ding The l a t e Ho 10 Fairba ir n ~ mana g er o f t he Pa s s e nger Ser vic e Bur ea u of the CoNoRo who was r e s ponsibl e f or the ass ignment of the cars charact er i ze d t hem as the outsta nding i nve nt i on of t he century i n the r a i l transportation industryl1 and po int ed out t hat t hey were a n achievement f or Briti s h and Canadian engin ee r-a 0 That this a chiev ement Vias some ~

thing t o b e pr oud of wa s prove d befor e many weeks ha d passedo

Di e s e l-e l e ct r i c u ni t car s of thi s new a nd promis i ng design were r e qu i r ed f or servi ce on short local runs f r-orn t e r mi nals a l l acros s the cou ntry and when No 0 15820 was c ompLe t ed i t irms assigned to t h e Britis h Columbia Iristr-L ct on the Pa c i f i c Coast 0 r hus an opport unity was pr e s ented t o make the s upreme tes t - by o pe r a t i ng the car und e r its own power- ac r os s t he c ont i n ent t o Va ncouve r- The record= breaking da s h of t he famous 15820 i s now h i s t or y - 2937 mile s in 67 hours with th e engine operat ing no n-eit o p through out the j ourne y 0

Ih e rout e of t he t ri p was ov e r t he l i ne s pr e s ently fo Llowe d by t h e CNoRo Cont inenta l Li mi t ed probably the first t hrough t r a i n to opera t e over t his rout s o Pr i or t o thi s t ime~ t r a i ns 1 a nd 2 were schedule d over t he Temiskaming and Northe r n Ont a rio Ra iLway (nov Ontar io Nort hland Ray o) f r om North Bay t o COGhr ane but Extra 15820 followed t he Hornepayne Subdivi s i on to Long l a o and t ravel l e d acros s the n ewLy -cc ompLe t e d Long La c cut-off to Nak ina lhe inter i o r of the car was s l i ghtly chang ed f o r t h e conven ience of the of fLc er-s and c r-ew who made t he journey ~ t h e seat s in the ma in pass enger c ompar-t me rrt were altered to provide slee pi ng and ea t i ng fa c i l i t i e s and a dditi o na l fuel -o i l storage inst a l l ed in t he baggagE s e ctLon The t rip was marked by a number of event s including a collision with a moos e a nd a broken brake-pipe D There wa s an a l mos t -catastro phe near Bos ton Bar BoC o wh en t h e unit c ame u pon a sect l o nma n on a l ong t r est le h idde n fro m vi ew by a s harp curve Tr a gedy d r ew very ne a r as the emerg e ncy brak e was thrown o n but f or t una t el y re c ed e d aga in as t he s e ct Lonma n jumped c lea r of h i s s pe e de r- Th e pi l ot of the d t es e L cut thr-oughvt ue speede r like a knife I but the man wa s safe a n d wa ved t he car on i t s way 0 Notwithst a n d i ng t hes e happenings the one - coach tra i n arri v e d in Vanc ouver ahead of s che dule after only s ixt y=seven hours runninc from Montre a l breaki ng t he wor l cl Ws r e c or ds for endur-a nc e 5) economy U1( sust ained spe ed over suc h a distanceo

life all k now 11011 t he events that followed the s uccess of 15E~20 a nd the athol d ie seLs- e Le ct r-Lc ca r s ~ h ow f rom these l1TIle I J G(J 1 S

first diese 1 road locomotiv e ~ CoN oRo 19000 was d e e igne d ~ t0st e lt li ~d pr-ov ed and how subse qu e n tly the r-aiLways of Amer Lca entnua LastLcaLly adopte d the dies e l =electri c pr i nc i pl e a I1r 3 oJ Hungerford ~ VicG = President of Opera t i ons s l at er Cha i r ma n and PresJ dent of the National Syst ern and now ret ired ~ ca n t he r efore b e quoted a s prophe t 1rJhC L lI b

c omme nted on 15820 t S j ourney a nd de c lar ed nI t is possibl e that b DL middot locomotive could handle t r ains clea r a cros s the cont i nent without I ( i

0 sr-eLf eve d 0 s uch l oc omot i ve s wou ld re nder it unnec e s s a r y t o mad i ~_ ~J wat e r stat i ons and wo u Ld great ly r educe trw ne e d of t errninal fH c i i i tie ~ 0 0 o

and would eliminat e s uc h vexati ons as s moke and c i nde r s 0 Take n l together y the ind i c a t i ons point t o a r a pi d de velopme nt in t he US E of oil-electric mat i V B power on the r ailr oa ds of t he contLnent 1f c

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The newspaper and magazine artic l(3s of the day were enthusiastic about the ne means of motive pm1er ~ but it is doubtful vJhether many middotwho sav the cars realized the fuLL significance that they held for the future of American railro[lding 0 The lat(3 Ro 1 Fairbairn ~ manager o f the Passenger Service Bureau of the CoN oRo ~

who was responsible for the assignment of the cars chalflct erized them a s the nouts tanding imrention of the century in the r ail transportation industryl1 and poineed out t hat they were an achievement for Brit i sh and Canadian engin eers That this achievement Vias some ~

thing to be proud of was proved before many weeks had passed

Diesel-electric unit cars of thi s new and promising design were required for service on short local runs fran terminals a ll across the country ~ and Hhen No 15820 was completed ~ it was assigned to the British Columbia District on the Pacific Coast Thus an opportunity was presented t o make the supreme test - by operating the car under its own power across the c ontinent to Vancouver The record= breaking dash of the famous 15820 is now history - 2937 miles in 67 hours with the engine operating non~middotstop throughout the journey 0

rhe route of the t rip was over the l ines presently f ollo1fJed by the CN oR Continental 1imited~ probably tne first through t rain to operate over this route Prio r to this time trains 1 and 2 were scheduled over the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway (nov Ontario Northland Ray ) from North Bay t o Cochrane~ but Extra 15820 followed the Hornepayne Subdi vision to 1onglac ana travelled across the nellly~complet8d Longlac cut-off to Nakina The interior of the car was sli ghtly changed for the convenience of the officers and c r tvJ who made the journey~ the seats in the main passenger compartment were altered to provide sleepi ng and eat ing facilities ~ and additional fuel=oil storage installed in the baggagE sectiono The trip vms marked by a number of events~ including a collision w~th a moose and a broken brake-pipea There was an almost-catastrophe near Boston Bar~ BoC when the unit came upon a sectionman on a long txestle 9 hidden from view by a sharp curve 0 Tragedy drew very near as the emergen(~r

brake as throvm on t but fo rtunately re ceded again as the sectionm8n jumped clear of his speeder The pilot of t~he diesel cut through tile speeder like a knife but the man IIms safe and waved the car on its vvayo Notwithstanding these happenings 9 the one=gtc oach train arrived in Vanc ouver ahead of schedule after only ~dxty=seven hours runnirl~

from Montreal 9 breaking t he wor Id i S records for endurance)1 economy U1

sustained speed over such a distanc eo

viTe all knmv now the events that follovved the success of l5pound~20 and the oth(~r diesel =euro~ le ctric cars ~ how from these hmeric8 ~ s

firs t diese 1 road locomotive ~ Co tL Rn 119000 vms designed ~ t0stelt clJ~d proved ~ and how subsequently the raihfays of Amerlca enthusiastically adopted the diesel~electric principle Q rll~ o SJ 0 Hungerford~ Vice= President of Operations~ l a t er Chairman and President of the National System ~ and now retired ~ can therefore be quoted as prophet ic whEn he commented on 15820 is journey and declared nIt is possible that lt bDE cmiddot

locomotive could handle trains clear across the c ont5nent vJithout 181

r eli eve d bullbull osuch locomot-ives wou ld render it um1ec(~ss ary to maiL c ~r

water stations and irvould greatly reduce trJe DE3ed of terminal fHci i itie~ 00 b

and would eliminate such vexations as smoke and c inderso Taken al t ogether ~ the indicat ions point to a rapid development in the US E of oil=electric mot ive povver on the railroads of the continent yt c

___

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AIR CONPRE$ffOR

~ 1- 9 IO ~6 1 39 -3 ~ ~J(1 - 6

63 - 7~

AI - [ - ItOPR l ~Ol bull bull bull _ _ _ 0shy~ LET ~ ~e I

I

~ CfO 09JTI J i- ~ - -- - L ~ ~ - ~ I~ ~ 13 - 0 ~f 1 20 ~6 ~ ( - 6 Ii Q ~ Il~I )It)10 n 1 1-+- G~ ~

~ ~ -lt rUi ~ ~ 6=T U ~S~i~~ [~

~ ----~_~ oRbull bullbullbull 0~ r ~i

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15820

STeel consrrucrion - do~ble - e1d con r ro C IV R OIL-poundLpoundCTRIC CARSeating capCficity - 60 persons 15820

Total weighT - 2 03 20 b s CLASS poundD618 - 6 FT 6 IN Two 600 vo-l morors o n front rrClCk lJvilder - O-tfqwQ ~r Co C-N-RshyTwo Dtlp elt 9tC Pneuphonc horns Date oonIfrvcrecl - 925 One 30 lb loco rnot Ie - rype bell DrawI rep~chcecl covrtesy of Pere $mit-h h o t w ster ne a r-e r CeJNAOIAN NATioNAL RAILWAYS

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15820

S1-eel consTruct-ion dovble - end con t-ro -SeatIng capqcity 60 fJersons Total weight 2 0820 bs

Two GOO volt TTloors on fronT rrGlClt

Two DtJp l ex -9I1C P-evjlgthoc horns One 30 lb loco motl ve - 1y pe bell Pere~ S mirh hot WElter hearer

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C IV R OIL-ELECTRIC CAR 15820

CL~SS poundD6IB - 61 FT 6 IN eJuilder - O-tfQwCL CQr Co ~ C-N-R-Dote C o$trl C reci 9 2S

DrawiJ repOchcecl covrtesy of C-4NAOIAN NATIONAL RAILWAYS

JiS- 9 -so A C

___

----shy

I~_

AIR CONPRE$ffOR

~ 1- 9 IO ~6 1 39 -3 ~ ~J(1 - 6

63 - 7~

AI - [ - ItOPR l ~Ol bull bull bull _ _ _ 0shy~ LET ~ ~e I

I

~ CfO 09JTI J i- ~ - -- - L ~ ~ - ~ I~ ~ 13 - 0 ~f 1 20 ~6 ~ ( - 6 Ii Q ~ Il~I )It)10 n 1 1-+- G~ ~

~ ~ -lt rUi ~ ~ 6=T U ~S~i~~ [~

~ ----~_~ oRbull bullbullbull 0~ r ~i

~i0 II n 4)[ [ ==~jD OZ -amp rL ~ ~y

15820

STeel consrrucrion - do~ble - e1d con r ro C IV R OIL-poundLpoundCTRIC CARSeating capCficity - 60 persons 15820

Total weighT - 2 03 20 b s CLASS poundD618 - 6 FT 6 IN Two 600 vo-l morors o n front rrClCk lJvilder - O-tfqwQ ~r Co C-N-RshyTwo Dtlp elt 9tC Pneuphonc horns Date oonIfrvcrecl - 925 One 30 lb loco rnot Ie - rype bell DrawI rep~chcecl covrtesy of Pere $mit-h h o t w ster ne a r-e r CeJNAOIAN NATioNAL RAILWAYS

es- 9 -so AC l

-J

15820

S1-eel consTruct-ion dovble - end con t-ro -SeatIng capqcity 60 fJersons Total weight 2 0820 bs

Two GOO volt TTloors on fronT rrGlClt

Two DtJp l ex -9I1C P-evjlgthoc horns One 30 lb loco motl ve - 1y pe bell Pere~ S mirh hot WElter hearer

n~

I I~

I L

C IV R OIL-ELECTRIC CAR 15820

CL~SS poundD6IB - 61 FT 6 IN eJuilder - O-tfQwCL CQr Co ~ C-N-R-Dote C o$trl C reci 9 2S

DrawiJ repOchcecl covrtesy of C-4NAOIAN NATIONAL RAILWAYS

JiS- 9 -so A C