Throwback Thursday - OSR 378

 by Keith MacCauley

GP7 OSR 378 was built by EMD for the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway, otherwise known as SOO LINE, in March of 1951. Ontario Southland would acquire the venerable unit in November of 1999 and decorate it in their attractive maroon and cream scheme. RS-18u OSR 182 was originally constructed by MLW for the Canadian Pacific Railway as RS-18 CP 8764 in April of 1958. Unlike 378, as part of their comprehensive RS-18 refurbishment program, No. 182 was extensively rebuilt by CP in 1980 and renumbered 1801. Ontario Southland would add the low nosed unit to their roster in November of 2004. In similar fashion, 182 would also receive the eye pleasing maroon and cream paint scheme. Incredibly, both units are still active and have an amazing combined one hundred and forty-one years of service. While 378 still calls SW Ontario home, 182 along with sister 181 are reported to reside in ‘La Belle Province’, having been sold to Sartigan Railway.