CP 4744 M640 July 1985 Testing

All photos by Ronald Lehmer

Copyright 2007

Notice: These photos are for personal use and are not to be redistributed by electronic or other means without the express written approval of Ronald Lehmer.

The biggest Alco in Canada out on the road! CP MLW M640 4744, built at the end of the horsepower wars of the 1970's, spent many years as a mechanical oddity in CP's fleet. When an electrical fire side-lined her in the early 1980's, most observers thought her days were over. However, CP gave her a new lease on life in 1985, working with ABB Brown-Boveri to install one of the first AC drive proplusion systems in a North American railroad application. 4744 is seen here at Rigaud, PQ on July 2, 1985 with CP dyno car 62, getting ready to tow three QNS&L SD40's set in dynamic braking as a simulated draw bar load.

Here is a collection of photos, including detail shots of the M640.