Throwback Thursday - Geared Up for Via

Christmas is just around the corner as CN 9427 assists Via 6405 in piloting a Via consist towards Toronto on December 22, 1986.

By Peter Mumby.

For many years, starting in 1974, the GP40-2W was one of CN's primary mainline freight haulers.  As built, units 9400-9449 were geared for a top speed of 80 mph, making them suitable pinch hitters in passenger service.  The vast majority of the members of this group were later re-geared for a 65 mph maximum.  The balance of these locomotives which were acquired new from GMD, 9450-9667, were all delivered with the lower speed gearing.  In 1991 CN purchased ten GP40-2W locomotives which had originally been ordered by GO Transit and operated as their 700-702 and 704-710.  These ex-passenger locomotives were geared for 80 mph and became CN 9668-9677.

In today's photo, CN 9427 has teamed up with Via 6405 and a steam generator car to provide comfortable passage between Windsor and Toronto.  The consist is just starting to pull away from the London depot on December 22, 1986.