F40's leased to AMT (Montreal)

Hi,

Can anyone confirm which (if any) VIA F40's are currently on lease to AMT in Montreal?

Thanks

Damian

Doesn't VIA have a shortage of F40s - in general - even after including its P42 engines? And then for its newest rebuilt F40 to crap out on the Ocean a couple of weeks ago? They had to borrow some busses and a CN unit to move the train consist. I don't think VIA keeps extra motive power in Halifax, like it does in Winnipeg, sometimes Jasper, and Vancouver (aside from what may be around in the corridor).

No, VIA doesn't have a shortage of F40s. In face, for awhile, they stored some of their F40s that were operational (i.e. not involved in accidents). They are going to be among the first to be rebuilt after #6402 which has recently begun to be rebuilt.

The reason why VIA had to recently lease a freight engine for the Ocean was that the train froze up and VIA doesn't have extra power in Halifax. What often happens is that VIA would deadhead an extra F40 to Moncton where it would be uncoupled and wyed and wait for the Montreal bound Ocean to arrive.

In the fall, AMT leasted F40s 6401 and 6408 from VIA. Both are Spiderman 2 units. Both units have since been returned to VIA.

Tom6921 wrote:No, VIA doesn't have a shortage of F40s. In face, for awhile, they stored some of their F40s that were operational (i.e. not involved in accidents). They are going to be among the first to be rebuilt after #6402 which has recently begun to be rebuilt.

The reason why VIA had to recently lease a freight engine for the Ocean was that the train froze up and VIA doesn't have extra power in Halifax. What often happens is that VIA would deadhead an extra F40 to Moncton where it would be uncoupled and wyed and wait for the Montreal bound Ocean to arrive.

In the fall, AMT leasted F40s 6401 and 6408 from VIA. Both are Spiderman 2 units. Both units have since been returned to VIA.

There's a picture of the frozen Ocean with CN's 8817 pulling : http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 492220.jpg

As we can see here http://www.canadianrailwayobservations. ... /index.htm

VIA's 6402,6443,6454 and 6457 are waiting for rebuild at CAD in Montréal.

Good to know, as this dispells a rumor I've been hearing about VIA locomotive power - i.e. that they have been short on such after considering the F40s and Genesis P42's. I think this rumor may have gotten started when VIA sold the units that matched the LRC cars a couple years back.

Again, I've seen extra power at Vancouver, occasionally at Jasper, Winnipeg, but never at Halifax. Might be worth sending a spare unit to Halifax. Not sure what spare units are kept around the corridor other than at Montreal or Toronto etc.

Does anyone have a count on how many F40s and P42's VIA has. I thought VIA had around 15 P42's, but my number could be off, but I have no idea how many F40s VIA has. My last Canadian trip - we had to set out an F40 in the middle of no where! We operated with one F40 (with descent speeds etc. heading westbound), but then got an extra unit in Winnipeg. I figured they could have also sent up a unit from Vancouver on #2 and meet us for a trade off some where on the line!

jp1822 wrote:Good to know, as this dispells a rumor I've been hearing about VIA locomotive power - i.e. that they have been short on such after considering the F40s and Genesis P42's. I think this rumor may have gotten started when VIA sold the units that matched the LRC cars a couple years back.

Again, I've seen extra power at Vancouver, occasionally at Jasper, Winnipeg, but never at Halifax. Might be worth sending a spare unit to Halifax. Not sure what spare units are kept around the corridor other than at Montreal or Toronto etc.

Does anyone have a count on how many F40s and P42's VIA has. I thought VIA had around 15 P42's, but my number could be off, but I have no idea how many F40s VIA has. My last Canadian trip - we had to set out an F40 in the middle of no where! We operated with one F40 (with descent speeds etc. heading westbound), but then got an extra unit in Winnipeg. I figured they could have also sent up a unit from Vancouver on #2 and meet us for a trade off some where on the line!

http://www.myrailfan.com/tables/list_F40.aspx
At this link you can find almost all VIA's F40 history.

VIA owns 20 P42 and 55 F40

snow402 wrote:VIA owns 20 P42 and 55 F40

Just a minor adjustment... VIA's active locomotive roster includes 21 P42DCs and 54 F40PH-2s.

While there isn't a shortage in the number of units, the F40s have been breaking down a lot more often recently, so the rebuilds are sorely needed.

I've found a number of pictures of the leased F40's (when they were on lease in 2003), and noticed that the Canada logo on the front and in the blue stripes on the side were either painted out or covered, as well as the Canada flag on the sides and in the centre at the top of the cab.

See, for example...

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 306&nseq=7

And again...

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 522&nseq=6

I found this on the other leased units as well.

Does anyone know:

1. why the Canada paraphernalia was painted out? Why it, and not the VIA logos? The locomotives were only on temporary lease after all...

2. were the logos painted out and then reapplied later, or just covered with a wrap like they did with the Spiderman decals and such?

Thanks for the help in advance.

timberley wrote:Does anyone know:

1. why the Canada paraphernalia was painted out? Why it, and not the VIA logos? The locomotives were only on temporary lease after all...

The Canada logos (and flag) are associated with the Government of Canada who oversees VIA Rail. They were removed because AMT, who leased the equipment, is related to the Province of Quebec in order to reflect this difference. Some people consider this a sign of Quebec nationalism (or even separatism) but, please, let's not go there. The VIA logo forms part of the locomotive's reporting marks which identify the owner and cannot be removed by law.

The maple leafs on the noses of the rented Via's F40 where not removed,last summer,thay rented 3 F40 from VIA (6401,6406 and 6408)two of them where getting the "Spiderman" label on

actually no more VIA material are rented,but we get 5 NJT locomotives and 24 comet cars,If they need more material,surely,Via rail will be rent more locomotives to the AMT,I remenber few years ago,they where rented an Amtrak F40,later,they buyed them two F40 and they still in service