by graftonterminalrr
The CN was the only buyer because of Canadian law.
CN, being a large Crown corporation, had to split its loco-purchasing dollars between Canadian locomotive manufacturers in order to appear not to favor any one manufacturer over another. This is why, in the early days of dieseldom, CN had a real oddball fleet consisting of MLWs, GMDs and CLCs - they were the only ones in the Canadian loco game. This is also why CN didn't buy GE units like U-boats until the early 90's - GE built a plant in Ontario, and became a Canadian locomotive producer.
When Bombardier acquired MLW, some new loco designs were pitched to CN. Being a Quebec-based corporation recieving much federal funds, and CN being an arm of the Canadian government, CN was "authorized" to purchase HR412s and HR616s. CP had purged its 244-powered Alco fleet by this time and was beginning a rebuild program of the 251 powered MLWs so it didn't want new MLW power at the time.
CN, being a large Crown corporation, had to split its loco-purchasing dollars between Canadian locomotive manufacturers in order to appear not to favor any one manufacturer over another. This is why, in the early days of dieseldom, CN had a real oddball fleet consisting of MLWs, GMDs and CLCs - they were the only ones in the Canadian loco game. This is also why CN didn't buy GE units like U-boats until the early 90's - GE built a plant in Ontario, and became a Canadian locomotive producer.
When Bombardier acquired MLW, some new loco designs were pitched to CN. Being a Quebec-based corporation recieving much federal funds, and CN being an arm of the Canadian government, CN was "authorized" to purchase HR412s and HR616s. CP had purged its 244-powered Alco fleet by this time and was beginning a rebuild program of the 251 powered MLWs so it didn't want new MLW power at the time.
"What was it the engines said?
Pilots touching, head to head,
half a world behind each back?
'They should have made this double track'"
Pilots touching, head to head,
half a world behind each back?
'They should have made this double track'"