November - 1949
To power Alouette and Red Wing
Canadian Pacific passenger trains running between Montreal and Boston will become the first mainline passenger trains in Canada to be powered by streamlined diesel locomotives especially designed for passenger service, when three of the latest type General Motors diesel locomotives are delivered in November, it was announced recently by N.R. Crump, Vice-President.
The three 2,250-horsepower locomotives, which are of even later design than the engine on the famous General Motors "Train of Tomorrow", will complete dieselization of the Company's 171 mile run between Montreal and Wells River, Vermont, Mr. Crump said.
The change-over from steam on this important international operation began last June and there are now 12 1,500-horsepower streamlined road freight units, five 1,500-horsepower road switchers, and three 1,000-horsepower yard switchers in operation. In addition to other work, the road switchers also power the Company's local passenger trains between Montreal and Newport, Vermont.
The new passenger units are now being completed in the General Motors locomotive plant at La Grange, 111inois. Boasting a maximum speed of 85 miles per hour, the locomotives will pull the well-known Alouette and Red Wing trains which serve Montreal and Boston.
The Company will receive three of the first 10 of these latest-type diesels turned out. In addition to various technical innovations, the locomotives will have an increased heating capacity. The passenger diesels will carry the same paint design as the freight units already in service, grey, tuscan red, and focal yellow.
Mayor Houde of Montreal and City Councillor Roy E. Wagar joined forces recently to praise the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Canadian National Railways for their efforts to control smoke emission from locomotives and roundhouses within city limits. Both were present at a joint C.P.R. - C.N.R. smoke abatement educational class held for engine crews at the Canadian Pacific's Park Avenue Station.
Speaking to the group of railway officials and locomotive engine crews, who attended the meeting along with members of the city's Smoke Abatement Committee, His Worship said, "The city is very pleased with what has been done by the railways towards the abatement of smoke."
He went on further to outline the history of the Smoke Abatement Committee and spoke of the effects of smoke on property value and health.
Mayor Houde pointed out "The city is well aware that it isn't only the railways who make smoke, and we're after the others too, to get their cooperation." Said City Councillor Wagar, "Both railways are doing a wonderful job, and this educational class is one evidence of the effort they are putting into it.
"Both railways have smoke inspectors in addition to the city's, and they are doing many other things towards the lessening of smoke. They have made special installations on switching locomotives to cut smoke emission, and have put similar appliances in their roundhouses."
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