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Section 2

A scenic shot of LLPX 2267 started trainspotting in Vernon, BC, on August 11, 2004.  This locomotive appeared briefly in out East on the St. Lawrence & Atlantic railroad, and it was with some surprise that I recognized it as it ran light towards Vernon, BC, on the KPR.  This is a GP40 that's been de-turboed and upgraded electrically to GP38-2 standards.

Partially scrapped Okanagan Valley Railway GP10 1049 sits on a siding behind sister 1006, with broken windows and removed handrails and doors.  Visible inside are some of the electrical system behind the cab and the air compressor at the rear of the hood.

The Central Kansas Railway (CKRY) lettering is a real curiousity--the unit was sent to the CKRY in 1999 but came back to the Okanagan in 2001, still wearing its original OVR paint with a CKRY lettering patch job.  Three years after its return, the lettering hasn't been repainted.  Apparently, not a year after its return in 2001, it suffered mechanical trouble and was sidelined.  Parts were used to repair 1006 (below).  August 12, 2004.

GP10 1006, coupled to 1049, is still operational and used, and a similar story explains the Central Kansas lettering.  It was purchased from the Carlton Trail Railway in early 2004, the reason for the CTR logo on the side.  However, it was owned by the CKRY prior to running on the CTR, and again retained the Central Kansas lettering over the past several years. August 12, 2004.

GP40 183, leased from EMD by the Kelowna Pacific, sits idling in the yard in Vernon at 15:00, waiting for action later in the afternoon.  Coupled behind is ex-UP SD38-2 2001.  August 12, 2004.

Later meant 16:00.  Preparing for a Northbound freight, HLCX SD38-2 2002 (ex-Union Pacific) switches tracks and couples to the front of 183, forming a three-unit lash-up.  Yes, this is an SD38-2--but it once was an SD40-2.  Citing reduced maintenance costs and fuel consumption, UP removed the turbochargers on a number of their SD40-2s and replaced them with Roots-type superchargers, making them mechanically the same as SD38-2s.

Externally, the air filter box in front of the dynamic brakes and two exhaust stacks distinguish them from standard SD40-2s.  They retain the SD40-2 3-fan radiators and 4000 gallon fuel tanks.

Shortly afterwards, the three locomotives pulled forward to change tracks.  Here's another view of GP40 183, now the second locomotive in the consist.  August 12, 2004.

Here is the third unit, HLCX SD38-2 2001.  Like 2002, this is a de-turboed SD40-2.  The "snoot", a lengthened short hood housing radio equipment, appeared on a number of SD40-2s and is a hallmark of the SD40-2 series.

At 16:30, LLPX GP38-2 2261 pulled up with 22 cars behind the three other units, and coupled with them.  The quartet of locomotives left the yard with the short train at 17:10.  Presumably, more cars were to be picked up in the freight yard just down the tracks.

The train consisted of boxcars, centerbeam flats and wood chip gondolas.

CN 557245, a 52-foot boxcar built by National Steel Car.

CN 873604, built in 1969.

CN 880503, a 6600 cu-ft car built in 1965.

Identical twin CN 880048.

At 17:15, another 11-car train pulled up on the tail of the one above.  Leading the way was GP20E 2506, with the logo of former owner Hudson Bay Railway and (again) lettering of previous owner before that, the Central Kansas Railway.  There is no evidence of the fact that 2506 is actually owned by the Okanagan Valley Railway, which has trackage rights out of Vernon on the KPR.  August 12, 2004.

The turbocharger from the 567-series engine was removed from this unit, as evidenced by the two exhaust stacks, but presumably 645-series power assemblies maintained the power output at 2000 hp.

Behind was the sole M420W operating on the Okanagan Valley railway, 3550.  None of its sisters that ran on the KPR (which were fairly numerous) remain in service.  3550 operated on the Hudson Bay Railway before coming to the KPR, and still has HBR stenciling, on top of the unmistakable paint scheme of original owner Canadian National.  CN purged its roster of MLW units in the late 1990s, and the M420Ws were scattered across many smaller railroads.

The CN paint is surprisingly sharp after 30 years.

CEFX 11633, a common hopper car type built by Thrall, with a 5150 cu-ft capacity. August 12, 2004.

Michael Eby 2005