The strange case of CN 4824

Six EMD F3s were exported to Canada in May 1948. These were the two ABA sets of order E958 shipped on May 28, 1948 numbered 9000-9005. The booster units were the 9001 and 9004. CN F3A 9005 was wrecked at South Junction, Ontario on May 17, 1958 and was sent to the GMD plant at London, Ontario.

GMD built a general purpose unit for CN on order #A-1714 that used parts of the wrecked F3A. The unit resembled a phase 3 GP9 like all the other GP9s built at that time. The unit was shipped in October 1958. The unit was numbered 4824 to take the roster slot just after the CN's 24 GP7s 4800-4823.

The strange part of this case is how this unit is classified by diesel historians. You can find it listed as a GP7, GP7M, and GP7R. The GMD production records show it as a GP9.

Ed in Kentucky

Info from Extra 2200 South Issue 48 9/10-1974: CN 4824 Class GR-15b GMD model GP7m 247,000 lbs with
62:15 gearing and 1500hp 16-567B engine in a GP9 carbody with Blomberg trucks. After conversion to
Flexicoil trucks weighed 240,000 lbs. GP7's 4800-4823 also converted from Blombergs to Flexicoils. Since
the unit is the machinery of a wrecked F3 in a GP9 carbody the number slot seems appropriate as it's
closest kin on the roster would appear to be the GP7's.