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77638 -
Alco (MLW) S-3 Switcher |
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(1) Canadian Pacific Railway
#
6503 |
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Winnipeg, Man, 08/15/72 Photo by Stan
Styles |
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Winnipeg, Man., September 1st, 1975, Photo by
John Eull, Collection of Sam Beck |
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(2) United
Grain Growers UGG 002 |
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No picture has been found of this
unit during this ownership. If you have one or any information
about this unit, please let the Webmaster know. Thank
you. |
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(3) West
Coast Railway Heritage Park
WCXX 6503 |
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CPR No. 6503 was one of the first S3's bought by Canadian Pacific
in 1951 to test the value of a 660 horsepower non turbocharged
switcher. Watched closely by the railway, No. 6503 was assigned to
Winnipeg and quickly proved of value as a sturdy and reliable
locomotive. CPR subsequently purchased 121 more S3's, ending in 1959
with No. 6623. No. 6503 has been modified with a buffer plate on the ends over
the coupler in order to be able to handle passenger cars.
The design of the "Prime Mover" or Diesel engine of this
locomotive dates back to the early 1930's. These engines were
immensely successful and were used to power everything in World War
II from tanks to Navy Corvettes. With this kind of track record and
their heavy weight they were a logical choice to power the post war
generation of Diesel Electric locomotives.
This locomotive served the CPR in various locations across Canada
until 1983 when she was sold to United Grain Growers. The unit
switched grain cars round UGG Terminals in Vancouver until retired
in 1987. At that time No. 6503 was acquired for the West Coast
Railway Association and put in storage.
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Squamish,
BC, August 25th, 2007,
Photo by Frank Valoczy |
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Squamish,
BC, April 19th, 2012,
Photo by Jim
Leishman
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