PHOTO GALLERY

During the 1968-69 power shortage when the American-built CN F3's came to stay on GTW the two booster units, CN 9001 and CN 9004, eluded EmeryÕs camera except on this one interesting occasion at Lansing. This late afternoon view appears to be a late-running interdivisional train 433 (Detroit-Battle Creek) based on the fact that the CN F3's were based from Milwaukee Junction (Detroit) and were being used on the Detroit-Flint interdivisionals at the time. This view was made just east of Waverly Road on Lansing's west side, and the entire power consist is interesting, with 1960 freight GP18 4703 leading and Central Vermont 1957 GP9 4554 trailing, but the booster unit in this case is truly the center of interest (pun intended). The only freight F boosters on the entire CN system were 9001, 9004 and 14 F7 boosters. There were, however, 38 F9B's paired with FP9's, more F9B's than on any other road, and almost always seen on passenger trains. Supposedly, 9004 should not have been m.u.'d with GTW units due to incompatible sanding systems, so 4703's engineer may have noticed a lot of wheelslip. The shiny siding beside the eastbound main was called the River Track and extended for more than two miles without a street crossing, from this area back to the Grand River bridge just west of Washington Avenue tower, all gently downhill. (Emery Gulash)

Photograph from Grand Trunk Western Volume 2: Visual Redesign 1962-1982 by Jerry A. Pinkepank..

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