CN Montreal Locomotive Works Units
All photos were generously submitted by Brian Nicholson"All shots in major yards were done with a signed release and accompanied
by a friend who is a CN employee. CN today has a 'No-Tolerance' policy to
tresspassing; so NEVER try to enter a CN yard to take photos!"
CN S2 7988 from series 7975-7994 renumbered to 8142-8161; all retired by 1975.
This unit was one of the first switchers built by Montreal Locomotive Works.
This engine was built in 1949. Interesting is the early as-delivered paint scheme.
CN's S2's were retired very early compared to CP's.
CN S3 8496, from series 8450-8498, all retired; some were converted to 'slugs' for
use in hump-power sets. Shots of CN S3's are hard to come by; this one was in the
scrap line at Stratford;Ontario. Again CP used their S3's much longer than CN.
They were built between '51 and '54.
CN S4 8042. The real MLW workhorse on CN; series 8036-8079 used on all kinds of
assignments; including Central Station in Montreal. This clean example is bringing
a cut of passenger cars back to Point St Charles from the station. All of CN's S4's
were of the later carbody style with number boards and sand fillers on front of the hood.
CN S4 8062 wears the last paint scheme worn by CN S4's working the oil
refineries in east-end Montreal. The S4's were like 'ants' around the Montreal yards.
Then one day; they just disappeared.
CN S4 8183 & CN S7 8229, from series 8206-8234. As the photo shows
the S7's were similar to S4's. Most of the changes were electrical and internal.
Only the number will tell you if it's an S7 as opposed to an S4
CN S7 8230 maybe someone could explain the strange number lettering on the
cab of this unit. Maybe it had a special assignment. Shown stored in Toronto.
CN S12 8236 from series 8235-8245. These 539 powered switchers were
assigned to Moncton. New Brunswick. These high-cabbed switchers were
perfect for hump yard sevice. The stack near the cab (see S13) and the
round access cover on the hood give away the earlier heritage of these
units. These; along with the S11 and S13 models were a Canadian only design.
These are BIG switchers!
CN S13 8510 from series 8500-8522. The main CN yard power until 1985.
Some were renumbered; 4 still exist. Notice no 'MU' on this engine.
CN S13 8516 in sevice in Montreal working the 'Hump'. This powerful set
pushed huge cuts of cars up the hump for many years; until the cars became
so heavy that GP38-2's replaced them in the mid 80's. The 'slug' in the middle
maybe one of the retired S3's.
CN S13 8512 equally at home working passenger consists.
Spadina yard in Toronto was home to a small fleet of S13's.
The locomotive has been retired.
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