GMD Recollections - Close, But No Cigar.

SP 9788 gets a workout on the GMD test track on Dec. 31, 1993.  The track in the foreground is the CP Galt Subdivision mainline.  The test track does double duty as CP's Crumlin Spur.  Photo by Gord Taylor

By Peter Mumby

When I first acquired the Gord Taylor collection of railway slides several years ago, I wrote myself a note that said "Look for SP  9794."  Gord was a well-known member of the local railfan community who had a special interest in goings on around the GMD plant.  His place of work was in the north east corner of the city, and he lived on a farm north of town, so his daily commute took him past the factory twice a day.  In addition it was apparent that he must have often taken lunch breaks along the test track, so there was a better than average chance that Gord had seen the 9794.

So, why the fuss over SP 9794?  Not only was this the final locomotive in the SP order, this GP 60 was the last General Purpose or GP unit produced by General Motors.  The first "Geep"  constructed was EMD demonstrator #100, a GP7 which later became CNW 1518.  This took place in 1949, so to think that the product line continued into early 1994 is impressive indeed.  I never did find that photo of 9794, but I took a picture of SP 9792 being delivered by CP along with 9789 on January 22, 1994, so the unit in question was probably delivered in late January or early February.