My First Military Unit

A hot tip led to my first photograph of a Canadian Pacific “military” locomotive!

Local photographer Jack Hykaway alerted a few of us that CP 7022 was in the Canadian Pacific yard in Winnipeg, along with a few other SD70ACU locomotives. I convinced my wife that it was a good evening for a drive, so we headed out after supper to the downtown area.

I did a quick check of the east end of the yard, finding only CP 8877 quietly idling by itself. It looked lost.

Driving west along Logan, I made my way to the McPhillips Athletic Grounds, which are built over a water reservoir. I parked my van on Bawlf Street, where my wise wife stayed in the air conditioning, while I walked up the hill and across the field to see the Weston shops area. A lot of railfans come to this area as you have a pretty clear view of the locomotives parked by the shops, as long as CP doesn’t put a train in the way.

Luck was with me as there were no trains around for the moment.

Locomotives at Rest

I noted a lot of parked blue CEFX AC4400CW leaser locomotives. I’ve heard that most if not all of them are off lease from CP now. This is unusual as they have been leased by CP for a long time. I can remember seeing them on CP trains in 2005.

Over on the west side of the shop, I spotted an SD40-2 still sporting a multimark (CP 6054), along with a CEFX leaser (CEFX 1056) and CP 8642 with a very faded “dual flags” decal.

There were several GE AC4400CW locomotives on display with burn marks on the side, fulfilling the “toaster” nickname given to them by railfans. Even one of the rebuilt AC4400CWM locomotives got a little “toasty”.

Units on the Move

There were two separate locomotives on the move in the yard. The first one I saw was CP 4524 coming my way from the main yard. You can see them below with the Arlington Street bridge in the background.

I also heard a train horn. Looking around, I could see some containers moving in the distance. CP has an intermodal yard at the north edge of the yard, and CP 4599 was pulling some loaded container cars out of that area.

While I was positioning myself to take the photo above, I spotted the military unit I was looking for, CP 7022.

The Navy Unit

CP 7022 is decorated in gray with black trim and red fuel and air tanks, which CP says is “the colour pattern of modern Canadian and American warships.” I think it looks pretty sharp, even from a distance like this.

CP 7022 was with fellow SD70ACU locomotives CP 7046, 7008 and 7003. I’m told they are temporarily stored during this economic downturn caused by the coronavirus.

Also, what’s up with this “track to nowhere”? It still has a switch stand, but the track leads to… nothing.

I was able to take photos for a few minutes before CP 4524 rolled into the field of view.

CP 4524 On The Move

CP 4524 came rolling past with four covered coil steel cars in tow. I decided that I had enough photos, so I walked back across the field to our van and rejoined my wife. As I put my seat belt on, I saw CP 4524 rolling past on the La Riviere subdivision.

Time to chase!

I drove down Weston Street to Notre Dame Avenue, parking on the street near the railway crossing in time to catch them as they approached the busy street crossing.

Given what they were towing, I guess they were on the way to Russel Metals!

I’ll leave you with this photo – stay well, Canada.

Just One More Thing

I’m currently reading “How To Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi. The book is part autobiography, part call to action. I’m not far into it yet but I’m finding it fascinating, a bit disturbing, and very educational.

So far the author’s main point is that there’s no such thing as “not racist”. Either you’re racist or you’re antiracist. Being passive and not speaking up against racism is racist in itself. This resonates with me.

Like many white people, I’ve sat uncomfortably and said nothing while someone, a friend or family member, has spouted off some racist trope or epithet. Sometimes I’ve spoken up but too often I’ve said nothing. This has to stop.