Throwback Thursday - RLK 4001 on the Goderich-Exeter Railway

RLK 4001, with help from GEXR 4046 and RLK 4095, prepares to make a run up the hill out of Goderich harbour on April 10, 2003.  This is very near to the site of a derailment caused by a runaway train coming down the hill on February 01, 2021.

By Peter Mumby.

Since its inauguration in 1992, the Goderich-Exeter Railway (GEXR) has cycled through a series of three corporate owners.  Created by RailTex, ownership shifted to RailAmerica in 2000.  Current owner Genesee & Wyoming took over in 2012.  Locomotive colour schemes and reporting marks have displayed a lot of variety, with the paintwork of current owners, past owners, other component lines, and leasing companies showing up at various times and in various combinations. 

The lead locomotive in both of today's photos was RLK 4001, a GP9 produced by EMD in 1959 as SP 5872.  It wore a RailAmerica logo on its nose, while the beaver insignia on the side belonged to its previous operator, Lakeland & Waterways Railway.  The small lettering beneath this side logo notes that this is "A RailAmerica Company."  

RLK 4001 is powering a GEXR train west of Sebringville on October 12, 2004.  The consist is fleshed out by RLK 1401 and GEXR 3821.  1401 is wearing a RailAmerica logo on its nose and an Operation Lifesaver decal behind the cab ladder.  Today the 1401 works for the Ontario Southland Railway.