Crusty, With a Bright Future
Back in 2019, Utah's Heber Valley Railroad acquired an FP9ARM locomotive from the BC chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. It was originally built Canadian National FP9A No. 6524 by GMD in April 1957.
Back in Dec. 1983, the FP9A was remanufactured in Canadian National's Pointe St-Charles shops to an 1800 HP FP9ARM for use on VIA Rail. Tragically, on Feb. 4, 1986 it was wrecked in a deadly collision on the Super Continental passenger train. VIA 6300 survived that wreck, receiving a rebuilt cab from a Kansas City Southern F7.
Plans are underway to repaint it as a Rio Grande "stand in" locomotive, wearing Aspen Gold and silver paint in D&RGW's 1950s four-stripe paint scheme. Modifications are to include restoration of the skirting above the fuel tank, with the recent installation of a nose door with a proper headlight.
Even through a GMD FP9A model is 4 feet longer than the F-units rostered on the D&RGW, the potential is there for an attractive locomotive pulling a luxury train of streamlined passenger cars on a cheese and wine tasting experience through Heber Valley and Provo Canyon.
Crusty, With a Bright Future
Back in 2019, Utah's Heber Valley Railroad acquired an FP9ARM locomotive from the BC chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. It was originally built Canadian National FP9A No. 6524 by GMD in April 1957.
Back in Dec. 1983, the FP9A was remanufactured in Canadian National's Pointe St-Charles shops to an 1800 HP FP9ARM for use on VIA Rail. Tragically, on Feb. 4, 1986 it was wrecked in a deadly collision on the Super Continental passenger train. VIA 6300 survived that wreck, receiving a rebuilt cab from a Kansas City Southern F7.
Plans are underway to repaint it as a Rio Grande "stand in" locomotive, wearing Aspen Gold and silver paint in D&RGW's 1950s four-stripe paint scheme. Modifications are to include restoration of the skirting above the fuel tank, with the recent installation of a nose door with a proper headlight.
Even through a GMD FP9A model is 4 feet longer than the F-units rostered on the D&RGW, the potential is there for an attractive locomotive pulling a luxury train of streamlined passenger cars on a cheese and wine tasting experience through Heber Valley and Provo Canyon.