CNR's GP-9's - Part 1

Canadian National Railways 4426, Skeena Subdivision, Prince Rupert, September 1959. CNR 4426 and her partner CNR 4226 will be the power pack on tonight’s time freight to the east. A great example of color accuracy maintained for more than 50 years on a 35mm Kodachrome slide!

What is interesting about this unit is that she was in Canadian National’s initial order for General Purpose GP-9’s split between General Motors Diesel (GMD) in London, Ontario and Electro Motive Division (EMD) in LaGrange, Illinois.

In all, 196 GP-9’s were ordered, beginning in 1955 with road class GR-17a: G=General Motors, R=Road Switcher, 17=1,750 horsepower, “a” signifying the first order of that class.

• 4400 – 4426 – GR-17a – 27 units – GMD
• 4427 – 4441 – GR-17b – 15 units – EMD
• 4442 – 4450 – GR-17d – 9 units – EMD
• 4451 – 4495 – GR-17f – 45 units – GMD
• 4502 – 4538 – GR-17h – 37 units – GMD
• 4539 – 4559 – GR-17j – 21 units – EMD
• 4560 – 4587 – GR-17m – 28 units – GMD
• 4588 – 4601 – GR-17r – 14 units – GMD

These numbers are the 2nd number assigned these units, re-numbered shortly after entering service. For example, the 4426 was built as 1750, and renumbered to 4426 in 1956!

While this photo was not shot to illustrate comparisons between two different GP-9 CNR road classes, it is worth mentioning that the leading unit (CNR ran long-nose forward) CNR 4226 weights about 10 tons lighter than the 4426, running on Flexicoil’s with a dinky fuel tank. Technically, the CNR referred to the lighter units as GP-9L’s, built for branch line lighter rail. The entire Prince Rupert Extension was so designated, some 700 miles!

The “garbage can” headlamps were eventually replaced with dual sealed-beams. Since this is a trailing unit, her add-on ditch lights are “in between” the two units.

Railroad Stuff: Canadian National Railways 4426, built by General Motors Division (GMD) London Ontario as 1750, April 1955, Serial Number A-669. Renumbered 4426 in 1956. 1,750 horsepower.

Tim Ball captured Slug 244 with her “Mother” CN 7270 Saria, Ontario, December 1990

In 1990, 4426 was sent to CN’s Pointe St. Charles Shops in Montreal, rebuilt as Slug 244, and ballasted to maintain maintaining her svelte 240,000 lbs. She was “assigned” to a 7200 Class GP-9RM (Re-Manufactured) forming a “Mother-Daughter” power pack.