They were the last 8 of a 30 unit order. The cabs were of a split level design that was awkward and dangerous for crews. Visibility was also a factor. 8 M420ws were also purchased at the time, but in 75' the next order of 420's were cabless. BCR regulated the wide cabs usually to a trailing unit status limiting use. In 1980 BCR went to MLW to purchase 6 axle locos, but MLW only had wide cabs with no available standard cabs. BCR bought GM SD40-2 that year.
@DH7409 So it was because of the bad view from the cab and the stairs in the cab. are there any remains of these units (musseums or shortlines) or are they all scrapped?
Many went to Mexico. I think there are two still there, but are shells, basically, in a boneyard, but I don't believe there are any in running condition.
@DH7409 In my area West Tennessee Railroad did have three older engines now they have two older engines that are still active they did have three M420's one M420 has been scrapped No SD40-2 on the West Tennessee Railroad.
Who would imagine that some of those alcos ended up in a very hot and sandy desert in northern Mexico about 16 years ago. they didnot last long becouse of the extreme heat and sandy enviroment, last time i traveled on a normal pasanger train in Mexico, ex-BC rail number 724 pulled that train from the city of Mexicali to Puerto Peñasco, those units where sended to southern Mexico and finally scrapped in the state of Chiapas near Guatemala. Saludos.
I would have loved to have been up there in the BCR days I have rode that line from Vancouver to Whistler here recentlly on the Whistler Mountaineer and didnt see a single CN train the whole time what a disappointment still a pretty line to ride
@gaycowboy31 I've lived in Whistler for 3 month from march to june 2010 and I've only see ONE single CN train and some Whistler Mountaineers as my house was only 2 minutes away from the station.... well I went to school and skiing, so I wasn't home often, but nevertheless CN trains are pretty rare, I believe there are only two each day, one north and one southbound
@RoaringEngines very interesting I wondered about that I spent the day down at the station when I came in on the Whistler Mountaineer hopeing to see some CN but was disapointed on well still a beautitull area
I'm old enough (well, not OLD, old) that the BCR still seems like the "new" version. When I was a kid we had the PGE running those rails on a fill behind our house. If only video cameras had been around back then... 8-(
This will never be seen again, thanks to Chicago Northern formerly that of Canadian National or CN.
Nathanrailfan 1 month ago
That is what locomotives should sound like.......!
airthreypark 1 month ago
GREAT video - thank you! Love the muster scene with conductor climbing aboard w/ coffee in hand - only on BC Rail!
beefjyrki 7 months ago
Do you have anymore classic videos of the BCR?
Kvr3005 7 months ago
Why are there so little BCR M630 Wide cabs?
The is the only vid that shows one, and even then it is as a helper!
runawayfreak 11 months ago
They were the last 8 of a 30 unit order. The cabs were of a split level design that was awkward and dangerous for crews. Visibility was also a factor. 8 M420ws were also purchased at the time, but in 75' the next order of 420's were cabless. BCR regulated the wide cabs usually to a trailing unit status limiting use. In 1980 BCR went to MLW to purchase 6 axle locos, but MLW only had wide cabs with no available standard cabs. BCR bought GM SD40-2 that year.
DH7409 10 months ago
@DH7409 So it was because of the bad view from the cab and the stairs in the cab. are there any remains of these units (musseums or shortlines) or are they all scrapped?
runawayfreak 10 months ago
Many went to Mexico. I think there are two still there, but are shells, basically, in a boneyard, but I don't believe there are any in running condition.
DH7409 10 months ago
@DH7409 In my area West Tennessee Railroad did have three older engines now they have two older engines that are still active they did have three M420's one M420 has been scrapped No SD40-2 on the West Tennessee Railroad.
csx2295 7 months ago
If that 1:02 is 1875 caboose it is still in Quesnel, British Columbia, CA. as of today on display.
Nathanrailfan 1 year ago
Who would imagine that some of those alcos ended up in a very hot and sandy desert in northern Mexico about 16 years ago. they didnot last long becouse of the extreme heat and sandy enviroment, last time i traveled on a normal pasanger train in Mexico, ex-BC rail number 724 pulled that train from the city of Mexicali to Puerto Peñasco, those units where sended to southern Mexico and finally scrapped in the state of Chiapas near Guatemala. Saludos.
kennethberto 1 year ago
Awesome video! =D
zozey1231 1 year ago
what a backdrop
flaminr6 1 year ago
I Have That In HO Scale
mrtrainboy019 2 years ago
I would have loved to have been up there in the BCR days I have rode that line from Vancouver to Whistler here recentlly on the Whistler Mountaineer and didnt see a single CN train the whole time what a disappointment still a pretty line to ride
gaycowboy31 2 years ago
@gaycowboy31 I've lived in Whistler for 3 month from march to june 2010 and I've only see ONE single CN train and some Whistler Mountaineers as my house was only 2 minutes away from the station.... well I went to school and skiing, so I wasn't home often, but nevertheless CN trains are pretty rare, I believe there are only two each day, one north and one southbound
no guarantee but that's what I've heard and seen
RoaringEngines 6 months ago
@RoaringEngines very interesting I wondered about that I spent the day down at the station when I came in on the Whistler Mountaineer hopeing to see some CN but was disapointed on well still a beautitull area
gaycowboy31 6 months ago
Comment removed
Nathanrailfan 5 months ago
Love the guy setting his coffee on the lead loco and jumping on, all after the train had started moving.
ddblink02 2 years ago
@ddblink02 AGREED
nkp765ful 2 years ago
Definately, BCR has some of the cleanest running MLW's...
imprezzed42296 2 years ago
Great footage!
BCOL!
revolution1one 2 years ago
Awesome Video.
PanteraBoy989 2 years ago
at 1:12 that is depot dog - he lived and worked on the BCR
archerofloaf 2 years ago
I'm old enough (well, not OLD, old) that the BCR still seems like the "new" version. When I was a kid we had the PGE running those rails on a fill behind our house. If only video cameras had been around back then... 8-(
NVanWendy 2 years ago
Awesome!
KHR2141 2 years ago
I miss this railway so much...
pennsyr1 3 years ago 2
Comment removed
bcrailfanatic 3 years ago
!!!!!!!!!!!!!! great
archerofloaf 3 years ago
Love the shot starting at 4:03, I wish I could get a shot like that!
EnginesandRails87 3 years ago 2
Wow.Good to see some of the old MLW's.Thanks for sharing.
iusetano 3 years ago 2
Awesome video!
FlyBikes089 3 years ago
More!!! More!!!
Awesome video!!!
vw2222vw 3 years ago
Nice stuff. Glad to see some new uploads
dumbbuff 3 years ago