(drawing copyright Shane Stewart)
CN Dash 9 Fleet
The 23 CN Dash 9-44CWL locomotives were purchased from GE in 1994. They all have six-wheel C-C trucks, dynamic brakes, and produce 4400 horsepower. Their top speed is restricted to 65 miles (105 kilometres) per hour but they have the appropriate gears for 73 (117 kilometres) miles per hour.
CN 2502
- Dash 9-44CWL, class EF-644a, built 1994
- 2502 was involved in an accident at mile 47.4 Ashcroft Subdivision 16 Nov 1996. Along with 2415, it was pulling an empty coal train eastbound along the Thompson River in BC when it struck a landslide of clay on the track. Locomotive ended up on its side about 150 feet from the collision site.
- 2502 recovered from accident site Dec 1996 and moved to Edmonton for checks. The right hand side was undamaged, but the left hand side was badly bent. It remained covered in mud, even in Edmonton.
- Montreal for repairs
- back in service Sep 97, repainted with noodle and map
- (Photo)2502 in Edmonton after the accident, still caked in BC mud. This was taken in late February 1997.
CN 2508
- Dash 9-44CWL, class EF-644a, built 1994
- in approximately 1996, engine stopped during cold weather, block froze and cracked, had to be repaired at cost of approx $750K
CN 2529
- Dash 9-44CWL, class EF-644b, built 1997
- On March 1 1998, 2529 was pulling a west-bound freight near Obed, AB when it collided with the rear of a preceeding coal train that had stopped to check a possible broken coupling. The front of 2529 was damaged and there were minor injuries to the crew.
- (Photo)Photo montage of the accident by Rod Kelly, Hinton Parklander (used with permission).
CN 2550
- Dash 9-44CWL, class EF-644b, built 1997
- involved in grade crossing accident, 10 October 2003, near Saint-André-de-Kamouraska QC along with CN 5735; badly damaged; returned to Transcona shops for rebuild
- in service ?
CN 2574
- Dash 9-44CWL, class EF-644c, built 1997 or 1998
- involved in accident between Jasper and Prince George, 20 July 2001, along with 2606
- in service
CN 2581
- Dash 9-44CWL, class EF-644c, built 1997 or 1998
- on 30 December 1999 while trailing 5794 westbound near St Hillaire QC, had its tank train full of gasoline derail behind it. Eastbound train pulled by 5753 and 5038 struck the derailed cars and burned.
- in service
CN 2584
- Dash 9-44CWL, class EF-644c, built 1997 or 1998
- derailed in washout near Rockyford AB, 17 June 1999; also involved was 5542; 17 cars derailed
- returned to service
CN 2599
- Dash 9-44CWL, clase EF-644c, built 1997 or 1998
- as lead unit ahead of SD40 CN 5330 and Dash 8 CN 2415 struck a loaded dump truck in Langley BC, 23 December 2002; stayed upright but derailed
CN 2606
- Dash 9-44CWL, class EF-644d, built 2000
- involved in accident between Jasper and Prince George, 20 July 2001, along with 2574
- in service
CN 2641
- damaged 2002, repaired at Alstom in Montreal
CN 2667
- damaged in Mirror AB, 8 March 2004 when as lead locomotive, struck the rear of another train.
- retired 15 July 2004; salvageable parts used to produce new locomotive CN 2727
