CN GP7 fleet


INDEX:
  1. Background
  2. Liveries
  3. Modifications
  4. Photos
  5. Roster

These notes were compiled by David Othen with considerable help from Don McQueen, Ron Visockis, Don Ward and other members of the CNLines Yahoo group as well as from caption information in several BRMNA(Calgary) publications and in Rail Canada Volume 1. The roster information was taken from a GP7 Historical Summary researched and compiled by Don McQueen from material collected by Don McQueen and Ray Corley.

Please send any corrections, additions or photographs to David Othen othen@eastlink.ca .

Background

Canadian National began ordering General Purpose (GP) diesels later than many other North American railroads and as a result only purchased 24 GP7s. Later, in October 1958, GMD rebuilt wrecked F3A 9005 (originally built in 1948) with a GP9 carbody to give a GP7M 4824.

CN 7555 CN 7555

The first order (C-168) was for 20 dynamic braked GP7s which came equipped with Pyle headlights and Blomberg trucks as seen in the builder’s photographs above. A second order (C-169) for four GP7 without dynamic brakes followed but this was treated by GM as part of the initial order. All were built in the Fall of 1953 by GM in London, Ontario. Originally, the units were numbered 7555 to 7578 but in September 1954 they were renumbered to 1700 to 1723 and reclassified; then in June 1956 they were renumbered again to 4350 to 4373 and finally in August 1957 they received their final numbers 4800 to 4823.

Many were transferred to CN’s Western Region and some, if not all, received Flexicoil trucks for operation on prairie branchlines and the Alberta Resources Railway to Grande Cache. The Blomberg truck has prominent lateral leaf springs, supported by outside hangers, which help to reduce the side-to-side motion. These trucks have a wheelbase of 108 inches. Flexicoil trucks lack the outside spring hangers (and presumably the springs) and those used by CN have a wheelbase of 96 inches. A GP7 with Flexicoil trucks weighs 239800 lbs whereas with Blomberg trucks it weighs 246530 lbs. Presumably, because the locomotives were used on branchlines where speeds are generally lower, it was not necessary to provide as much lateral damping.

All units were retired between 1967 and 1975.

Liveries

All units were delivered in the green and yellow paint scheme (CNR Green No 11 and CNR Yellow No 11) initially with the CNR monogram (white CNR on red maple leaf with an outside diameter of 28 inches as seen in the in the builder’s pictures above and in the photo of 4357 in Canadian National in the West Volume 4 page 18 by J.A. Love and R.A. Matthews BRMNA (Calgary)). Many, possibly all, units later received the 1954 monogram in which yellow Canadian National Railways replaced the white CNR and the outside diameter was only 20 inches as seen in the photos of 4818. From the early 1960’s units began to be repainted in the CN orange and black scheme (CN Orange No 11, CNR Grey No 17 and black) with the CN symbol but three units were retired without being repainted into this livery — 4809 and 4812 (in 1971) and 4818 (in 1975) — information from Don McQueen and Ray Corley.

Modifications

Several visible changes were made to the units during their lifetime. After a couple of years the handrails on the frame side of the steps were sloped inwards to provide a better hand hold when walking around the step well. Some units had their exhaust stacks extended and later spark arresters were added, probably to all units. The three photos on page 35 of Rail Canada Volume 1 show these variations. At least one unit received a dual headlight, on at least one end, by August 1970 (see photo of 4818) and 4824 may have had dual headlights since its rebuilding. 4819 is believed to be the only unit fitted with a passenger style pilot. (see CNLines V3/3)

Flexicoil trucks from 4100-4133 were fitted beginning in early 1967 (Mod.HQ-8081). By November 1969 all units were listed in the Mechanical Dept. diagrams as having Flexicoil trucks (information from Don McQueen and Ray Corley). If this was indeed the case then several units were refitted with Blomberg trucks after only a few years as shown by the photographic evidence.

From photographs, the following units are known to have had Flexicoil trucks on the dates given:

From photographs taken in 1967 and later, the following units are known to have had Blomberg trucks on the dates given:

Photos

a) units with dynamic brakes. The photo of 4812 at Kamloops Jct on 10 January 1968 and 4818 at Sarcee Yard, Calgary AB, 3 February 1968 both in green and yellow livery clearly shows the Blomberg trucks on both units (the lateral leaf springs extend beyond the side of the truck). Note also the retrofitted dual headlights (on 4818) and roof mounted bell. 4801 is shown in black and orange with Blomberg trucks in September 1971 and 4803, also in black and orange, is seen with Flexicoil trucks in January 1975 (the side of the truck has a broad support between the axle boxes). Finally the rebuilt unit 4824 in black and orange livery is seen in May 1969.

CN 4812 CN 4818 CN 4801 CN 4803 CN 4824

b) units without dynamic brakes. The photos of the right and left sides of 4820 in black and orange livery at Vancouver in 1972 show the Flexicoil trucks whereas the photos of 4822 in Port Mann on 22 July 1971 and at Vancouver in March 1972 show this unit with Blomberg trucks.

CN 4820 CN 4820 CN 4822 CN 4822

c) retired units. After retirement 4803 was given an overhaul and fitted with a bell on the short hood and renumbered 1 "The Goat" for use as the shop switcher at the Transcona, Winnipeg MB shops of Canadian National. It is believed to have been in use in May 1979 and is seen in the photo in August 1981. 4812, in green and yellow livery, is seen partially dismantled in March 1980 and 4820 is seen in the scrap line in May 1981. All units appear to have Flexicoil trucks and were at the Transcona Shops.

CN 1 yard goat CN 4812 CN 4820

Roster

This GP7 roster was organised by David Othen from material researched and compiled by Don McQueen and Ray Corley.

CN 4800 4801 4802 4803 4804 4805 4806 4807 4808 4809 4810 4811 4812 4813 4814 4815 4816 4817 4818 4819 4820 4821 4822 4823 4824

CN 4800

CN 4801

CN 4802

CN 4803

CN 4804

CN 4805

CN 4806

CN 4807

CN 4808

CN 4809

CN 4810

CN 4811

CN 4812

CN 4813

CN 4814

CN 4815

CN 4816

CN 4817

CN 4818

CN 4819

CN 4820

CN 4821

CN 4822

CN 4823

CN 4824