Throwback Thursday #15 - CN M420W Action

Somewhere, an MLW salesman must be smiling!

Tonight's Throwback Thursday features a piece by guest author, my dad Keith. As a die-hard Alco (and MLW) fan myself, the M420W is one of my favourite models of locomotive, and a distinctly Canadian prototype. Without further ado, you're up Keith.

Cheers,
Peter.

In a scene that would have pleased an MLW salesman, three M-420 (W)’s (3530/3551/3515) single handedly (triple handedly?) head up a manifest freight with a book ended, albeit grimy, paint scheme configuration. Even 3551 is begrimed despite having been repainted. Unfortunately the date and location of the photo are unknown though a logical guess would be the early to mid-1990’s somewhere in Southern Ontario. Originally delivered in the 2500 number series, the four axle MLW’s enjoyment of the mainline was relatively brief as they were diverted at an early age to secondary service by the incoming hordes of higher horsepower GMD GP40-2 (W)’s. Reduced in weight for their new role by limiting the amount of onboard fuel and sand beginning in 1986, the modified M-420 (W)’s were renumbered into the 3500’s. Note the smaller sized fuel tank on 3530/3551 delivered in the second build group. As part of the MLW purge, all were off the roster by 1998. However, given their bullet proof Alco origin 251 prime mover, many found second homes with several continuing in service to the present.

Trailing unit 3515 was from the initial pioneering build (CN 2500 – 2529 in early 1973), the first series of North American locomotives to be equipped with the so called ‘Crew Comfort Cab’ (Canadian competitor GMD followed MLW’s lead with their version of what ultimately would become the ‘North American’ Cab on GP38-2 (W) 5560 later in the year). Continuing the innovation theme, MLW developed a two axle version of their ‘Zero Weight Transfer’ truck. Designated as the ‘ZWT-2’ truck, conventional centerplate/bolster type geometry was replaced by a downward (from the frame) yoke and Metalastik pad combination. Unfortunately the lack of traditional springs resulted in the unit’s having a reputation for being rough riders. Unlike the preceding six axle MLW’s, and much more disturbingly, the units also gained a reputation over the years as being somewhat weak pullers. The M420 (W)’s were also noteworthy for launching the so called ‘Zebra Stripe’ paint scheme that would be applied to new power and repaints for almost 20 years. Still far and away my favourite modern era CN locomotive system of locomotive decoration.

- Keith.