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| CN 3014, classed as EF-644t |
CN Locomotive Classifications
The CNRHA's CNCylopedia has a great page that describes what these cryptic designations are. In truth they make a lot of sense. I won't go into great detail here - you should check their page out - but I'll give some examples.CN 3014 (an ET44AC): "EF-644t"
- E = Built by General Electric
- F = Freight locomotive
- 6 = Six axle locomotive
- 44 = 44xx horsepower (4400 in this case)
- t = Order sequence (normally starts at "a")
- G = Built by General Motors
- F = Freight locomotive
- 6 = Six axle locomotive
- 30 = 30xx horsepower (3000)
- c = Part of third order
You get the idea.
The interesting part here is that the manufacturer designation "SD70M-2" is also listed at bottom left. I can't recall seeing that on any other CN locomotives besides the SD70M-2 units.
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| CN 8239, photo by Greg Brewer |
- M = Built by MLW
- S = Switcher locomotive
- 10 = 1000 horsepower
- p = Order number
Note that it doesn't include the number of axles.
- G = Built by General Motors
- Y = Yard use
- 00 = No horsepower (it's a slug, it doesn't have a prime mover)
- b = Order number
CP Locomotive Classifications
CN and CP have very different systems. Compare CN 3014 at top, and CP 3014 below. |
| CP 3014, classed as GP38 or DRS-20b |
- DRS=Diesel Road Switcher, DRF=Diesel Road Freight, or DS=Diesel Switcher
- xx=First two digits of horsepower
- y=order letter (optional)
CP 3014 (a GP38AC): "DRS-20b"
- DRS = Diesel Road Switcher
- 20 = 2000 horsepower
- b = order number
It looks like someone labelled it as a GP38-2 initially.
- DS = Diesel Switcher
- 17 = 17xx horsepower (1750)
It's very common for CP to show the locomotive type as well as the CP designation.
- DRF = Diesel Road Freight
- 30 = 3000 horsepower
CP 8946 (ES44AC): "DRF-44"
- DRF = Diesel Road Freight
- 44 = 4400 horsepower
What other railway(s) have their own classification schemes?
PS I'm stevetraingeek on Instagram if you want to touch base!
16 comments:
Going to the thing with the SD70M-2, I think I have seen CN SD70ACe's with the locomotive name printed on it. I'll see if I can dig up an image.
You might find this interesting concerning the CN 6000's model.
http://www.canadianrailroads.ca/rail/photos/SD40Qrm.jpg
Shane
On CN, there is a letter you forgot. H for hump. I picked this off of CN 7513: GH-20b
G - EMD Locomotive
H - Hump
20 - 2000 HP
b - 2nd Order
Great explanation. I know the trackside guides, or some book I have, goes into that, but not in such detail. Thanks! It all makes sense now.
Hi Taylor, I didn't provide an exhaustive list of CN classifications as the CNRHA page does a great job doing that.
Thanks, Chris! I'm glad it made sense.
Thanks Shane, unfortunately that domain doesn't seem to exist any more.
Hi Steve. Sorry, the site was being transferred to a new host. I believe the Q designation was because the locomotives were equipped with Q-Tron computers. The locomotives were remanufactured or "rm". They have a remanufactured ID plate attached to the frames just like the GP9rm's.
Shane
I remember when I was reading a train book years ago and the author kept referring to locomotives by these numbers, which I found odd. This post clears things up nicely. Thanks for sharing.
A note to add is this way of identifying engines means absolutely nothing to the vast majority of people on the trains, save for the odd rail buff and some of the old guys that still care to remember what they mean.
Most guys can't even tell you the manufacturers model designation.
You're right, though I'm not sure why even a rail buff would care. The only useful information in these codes for the crews is the horse power.
These codes are for CN mechanical. They use them to catalogue the fleet.
I agree that the crews don't care about the codes. My understanding is that most refer to them by the number series.
These codes are referred to in employee timetables on occasion, for example "heaviest engine permitted to operate MR-16a class". They are also listed in the equated tonnage rating tables but usually have the locomotive number with them.
That's correct Steve.
I think you need a new time table if you're showing MLW restrictions. :)
Ha ha good point :)
Glad I read this, and 5hsnks for posting the explanations. Been driving for Hallcon Crew Transport, out of Boston Bar lately, and have been wondering what the numbers meant.
You're welcome, glad it helped!
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