GO Transit 800-802
GO Transit 800-802 are former EMD F7B's that were acquired from Chrome Crankshaft (Chrome Locomotive Co.) and rebuilt by Ontario Northland to provide electrical power to trains that were propelled by a locomotive that lacked the capability. In the process, they lost their engine, main generator and traction motors, and could not be used for propulsion. GO Transit referred to them as Auxillary Power Units, or APU's.
They were equipped with a General Motors 600kW 16V149-powered HEP system, and thus could provide electrical power for a 12-car train by themselves.
They were frequently used with GP40-2(W)'s 700-710 and GP40M-2's 720-726, although were also used on occasion with GP40TC's 500-507 and F40PH's 510-515. They were also required whenever GO leased their equipment to other railroads, such as to VIA Rail in the aftermath of the 1984 discovery of faulty axles and removal of all LRC equipment from service, and after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in Los Angeles.
After retirement, they were stored at Willowbrook for possible resale. Ultimately only 801 was resold (to Ontario Northland), and the other two units were scrapped.
Details
Fleet Number |
Thumbnail | Date | Serial # |
Status/Disposal | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
800 | 1950 | 10924 | Retired
Scrapped in 1995. |
| |
801 | 1951 | 14266 | Retired
Sold to ONR in 1994 as 205. |
| |
802 | 1951 | 14268 | Retired
Scrapped in 1995. |
|
References
- Canadian Trackside Guide
- Northern Pacific Railroad Historical Association
- Personal notes & sightings