PGE / BCOL / BCR - Part 2

BCR Train 570 storms north across the Lillooet sub-division near Tatton station with a mixed freight; BCOL C44-9WL #4642 has the lead on 6 June 2009. (Doug Lawson photo)

Pacific Great Eastern, once Canada's third largest railroad, was well known for its "Remote Scenery and Dynamic Locomotive Roster." Although the rail line's name underwent a couple of change during the 1970s and 80s, it was still fondly remembered as the PGE. The railroad snaked north 1000 miles and cut through scenery that was both rugged and spectacular. An intersting stable of four and six-axle locomotives (electric as well as diesel) battled the grueling topography on a daily basis. Use this link to view Part 1

A BCOL / BCR roster can be found at the bottom of this photo essay.



* * * Photo Gallery * * *

The first BCOL locomotives to feature the North American safety cab were eight M630s (#723 to 730) that began arriving in late 1973 from Montreal Locomotive Works. The six-axle units wore the two-tone green livery of predecessor PGE. (Steve Gartner photo / R. Craig collection)

Regardlless of the season and geographic location, BC Rail's red/white/blue livery clearly brighten the surroundings, and it provided an added degree of grade crossing safety. BC Rail M630 #729 was photographed at Hixon, BC in September 1986. (Doug Lawson photo)

During 1987, BC Rail entered the second-hand locomotive market and purchased eight SD40-2 cast-offs from the defunct Oneida & Western. The #9954 still wears its former O&W identity.

SD40-2 #747 which was ex-O&W 9954 wears a proper uniform on 7 October 2004 at Quensel, BC. The #748 (not shown) was the only one of the ex-coal haulers fit to lead (Doug Lawson photo)

While out shopping for used locomotives, the railroad acquired seven retreads from Kennecott Copper #101-107. Built in 1978, ex-KCC #106 was photographed at Gibraltar,BC on 30 June 1987; the newcomers were numbered 736-742. (Doug Lawson photo)

Faced with limited choices, Canada's third largest railroad purchased 17 new SD40-2s from GM #751-762( in 1980) and 763-767 (in 1985). The GMDLs were reliable power, but they were not the pullers when compared to MLW-built 630s. (Doug Lawson photo)

Its May 28th and the photographer is enjoying a two-week RDC excursion on BCR. This morning shot was next to the freight pool in Prince George, BC. (Marty Benard photographer)

There is very little doubt as to the name of the original owner of C425 #810. Built in 1964, Ex-EL Century #2560 was retired in 1976 and headed for the Pacific Northwest. (Doug Lawson photo)

MK #5001, which was an EMD-built GP9 re-engined with 6-cyclinder Sulzer prime mover, served on BCOL for approximately 90-days; a lumber strike cut its stay short by many months. Reportedly, the 1500-hp loco was reliable and performed well. (Doug Lawson photo in August 1981 at Prince George, BC)

During the second-half of the 1990s, BCRail entered the used locomotive market and acquired 15 B36-7s that had spent years forwarding hot manifests across ATSF's southern Tier. This close-up of #3609 was taken at Exeter, BC on 23 January 2006. (Doug Lawson photo)

Engine crews often have a favorite locomotive model; it's rather common. There are a many different factors: Some load quicker, pull better, provide more reliability out-on-the-road, or perhaps offer a quieter ride. The B36-7s were generally good pullers; #3611 at Exeter, BC on 23 January 2006. (Doug Lawson photo)

GE-built #3607 was one-of-two B36-7s that wore a rather interesting ligtning-pattern paint scheme. The graphically unique four-axle road unit was photographed at Squamish, BC in 1996. The high-horsepower loco originally wore ATSF blue & yellow as #7490. (Mike Nyiri photo)

Ex-ATSF #7488 and 7498 at Pitt Meadows, BC had been part of the GE lease fleet and had powered Rocky Mountaineer Tour Trains for GCRC. During the off-season, the locos were leased to other railroads, including SP and Conrail. (Ken Perry photo, 19 August 1992)

During 1999, BCR acquired six ex-Conrail C36-7s that had been reconditioned and upgraded to Dash 8 standards from Helm Leasing. The reworked C36-8Ms carried road numbers 3621-3626. The #3623 photographed at PEM, BC on 19 August 2000 was ex-CR 6608. (Mike Nyiri photo)

The Whistler Northwind excursion train pulled by B39-8E #1700 pauses briefly at Mile 206 Lillooet, BC, and photographer Doug Lawson is there to capture the moment. The custom-painted loco previously spent years in "Power by the Hour" service on Burlington Northern as LMX #8558.

On 19 September 2006, one of the railroads high-horsepower four-axle haulers, with a string of empty coal cars, occupies yard tracks at Lillooet, BC. Built in 1987, the B39-8E originally wore the colors of GE's leasing arm LMX #8566. (Doug Lawson photo)

Twenty-two Dash 8-40CMs (#4601-4622) were delivered during 1990; they were the first new General Electrics to hit the property in more than forty years. The six-axle diesel freighters, along with the GM-built GF6C electrics of 1976, were the only BCOL locos to feature a cowl car-body. The #4619 leads a freight at Koster Siding, BC on 18 April 2005. (Doug Lawson)

BC Rail's last order for locomotives were Dash-9 C44WLs; #4641-4644 were built in 1995 and #4645-4654 appeared early in 2000. All C44s sported a conventional road-switcher carbody; however only the #4641-4644 were "Pacesetter" equipped. A fresh looking #4648 was caught on film at Koster, BC on 4 April 2005.(Doug Lawson)

A Pair of EMD-built GF6Cs wait at Wolverine Siding on the Tumbler Ridge sub for a call to push another coal train over the mountain. (Doug Lawson photo in January 1985)

Thank you -- A special note of thanks goes to Doug Lawson and Ken Perry for their on-going assistance, technical knowledge and insight!!


* * * Support Units & Technology * * *

Passenger trains had been an integral part of PGE/BCOL for 86 years; the Kaoham Shuttle (Train #7/8) between Lillooet and Seton Portage was one such operation. The train's schedule made photography difficult because of the isolated area's limited hours of daylight. In 1984, Ken Perry was able to catch BCOL #604 as it stopped for students at Shalalth, BC. on a summer solstice morning.

By the 1990s, RDCs built by The Budd Company had absorbed many of the railway's daily passenger and excursion schedules. The diesel-driven units cost less to operate, provided a high degree of flexiblity, and could go to any place on the system. None-the-less, on November 1st of 2002, BCR ceased all passenger related services. (Doug Lawson photo at Onward, BC in August 1987)

Track Units #108 and 109 were two 10-ton gas-powered rail cars Canadian National had used to operate the Kaoham Shuttle. Built by Jim Busby Services, the multi-purpose vehicles carried, passengers, students, tourists and track inspectors. as well as an occasional group excursion. (Doug Lawson photo at Lillooet, BC on 22 August 2006)

A new hi-rail bus is the final cog in the evolution of the Kaoham Shuttle. The new vehicle, which began operating early in 2022, is an affordable means of public transportation and an excellent platform for viewing the amazing glacial valley and its wildlife. (photo courtesy of xxxxxxxxx)

Caterpillar Repowering of RS18 Fleet: The "600" series MLW-built RS-18s had served the rail line faithfully for many years, especially the early PGE units that came direct from the factory in 1957. Consequently, the the original Dominion 251 power plants were removed and replaced with Caterpillar 3512 engines. Rear radiator sections were reconfigured to facilitate the new prime movers. The rebuilt locos were re-designated "RS-18Cs."

BCR #609 at Prince George, BC on 23 May 1992. (Marty Bernard photo)

Abbreviations

  • Alco - American Locomotive Company
  • ATSF - Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe
  • CLC - Canadian Locomotive Company
  • CN - Canadian National
  • EL - Erie Lackawanna
  • EMD - Electro-Motive Division (of GM)
  • GCRC - Great Canadian Railtour Comapny
  • FM - Fairbansk-Morse
  • GMDL - Genral Motors Diesel Locomotive
  • KCC- Kennecott Copper Co.
  • L&HR - Lehigh & Hudson River
  • M-K - Morrison -Knudson, Inc.
  • MLW - Montreal Locomotive Works
  • O&W - Oneida & Western
  • SP - Southern Pacific
  • SP&S - Spokane Portland & Seattle
  • WCRM - Western Canada RR Museum

Referene Sources:

  • Extra 2200 South roster (Oct., Nov., Dec./1971)
  • Alco Construction List
  • GE Construction List
  • Diesel Era Magazine (Jan/FEb 1994; Mar/Apr.1994; and Jul/Aug 1999.
  • Flickr.com
  • RailPictures.com
  • Canadian Trackside Guide (by Bytown Railway Society)
  • Rail Pictures Canada.ca
  • The Diesel Shop rosters

* * * BCOL / BCR Roster * * *


BCOL / BC RAIL

(Prior to CN Acquisition)

 Photo here
Reporting Mark: BCOL Marty Bernard photo at Fort St. John, BC---
Rebuilt: 28 March 2022 Roster Data: Ken Perry

* * * Road Power * * *

Model (& Bldr) BCR Road # Bldr Nmbr Date Notes
RS-3 (Alco) 559 & 560 78302, 80478 1950 Converted to slugs 405 & 404; ex-PGE 559 & 560 < nee LS&I 1605 & 1606
RS-3 (MLW) 561 & 563 76104, 76106 5/1951 Retired; ex-PGE 561 (to West Coast Railway Assn) and 563 scrapped
562 & 564-566 76105 & 761097-09 5-6/1951 Converted to slugs 410, 401, 409 & 407; ex-PGE 562, 564, 565 & 566
567 & 568 77698, 77699 1952 #567 Converted to slug 406, the 568 retired; ex-PGE 567 & 568
569-571 79121-79123 1953 #569 and 570 retired; 571 converted to slug 402; ex-PGE 569-571
572, 574 & 575 81012, 81173, 81174 7, 12, 12/54 All wrecked and retired; ex-PGE 572, 574 & 575
573 81172 11/54 #573 converted to slug 408; ex-PGE 573
576-578 81204-81206 1955 #576 & 578 retired; 577 converted to slug 403; ex-PGE 576-578
#569-578 with reflector-and-bulb headlight only
RS-10 (MLW) 579-585 81537-81543 5/56 Retired or scrapped; ex-PGE 579-585
586 81544 6/56 Donated to Prince George RR Museum; ex-PGE 586
All given chopped-nose except 581 & 583; all operated long-hood forward regardless
MLW RS-18/RS-18C (MLW) 601-602 81604-05 4/57 Ex-PGE RS-11M 587 & 588 upgraded to RS-18 specs and re-#d in 601 & 602 in 9/1964
603-604 82509-10 5/58 Ex-PGE 589 & 590 upgraded to RS-18 specs and re-#d in 603 & 604 in 9/1964
605-608 83274-77 5-9/60 Ex-PGE 591-594 re-#d in 601-613 in 9/1964
609-611 83281-83 6/62 Ex-PGE 595-597 re-#d in 601-613 in 9/1964
612 & 613 83304-05 6/62 Ex-PGE 598 & 599 re-#d in 601-613 in 9/1964
The 601, 603 and 605-612 were equipped as slug mothers
614-618 84817-21 9/64 616 wrecked and reblt as 627; 618 wrecked and retired
619 & 620 84830, 84831 2, 3/65 --
621-625 84832-84836 5/65 #625 retired after wreck
626 84872 6/65 --
627 84819 9/64 Reblt from 616
628-630 M3460-01 to 03 8/66 --
All RS-18s upgraded to RS-18Cs with 2000-hp Caterpillar engine; work done by BCOL shop personnel
General Note: All Remaining 601-630 locomotives transferred to CN in July 2004
C420 (Alco) 631 3431-03 1/66 Ex-L&HR 25; derated to 1800-hp and equipped as slug mother; sold to A&M 56
632 3431-4 01/66 Ex-L&HR 26; derated to 1800-hp and equipped as slug mother; sold to A&M 57
M420W (MLW) 640-643 M6068-01 to 04 9/73 --
644-647 M6068-05 to 08 10/73 --
640-647 Dispositions:
  • 640 - wrecked and scrapped
  • 641, 644, 646 & 647 sold to OSR (same nos.)
  • 642 & 645 - Sold to MHWA 2044 & 2045
  • 643 sold to HBRY 643
M420B (MLW) 681-683 M6088-01 to 03 6/75 --
684-688 M6068-04 to 08 7/75 --
681-688 Dispositions:
  • 681, 683 & 685 - sold to HBRY 681, 683 & 685
  • 682, 684, 686, 687 & 888 - wrecked & retired
C630M (MLW) 701 & 702 M6029-01 & 02 7/69 #701 retired prior to CN takeover, the 702 sold to FNMN 702
703 & 704 M6029-03 & 04 7/69 Both retired prior to CN takeover
M630 (MLW) 705-709 M6044-01 to 05 12/70 All retired and went to GE; 706 became GECX 3000
710-713 M6055-01 to 04 12/71 #710 sold to FNM 710; others retired and went to GE
714-716 M6055-05 to 07 1/72 All retired and went to GE
717-722 M6067-01 to 06 12/72 All retired and went to GE
723-730 M6074-01 to 08 11/73 Built with safety cab; all retired and went to GE
SD40-2 (EMD) 736-739 776129-1 to 4 11/78 Ex-KCC 101-104; retired prior to CN takeover
740-742 776129-5 to 7 11/78 Ex-KCC 105-107; retired prior to CN takeover
743 & 744 786246-1 & 2 11/78 Ex-O&W 9950 & 9951; the 743 conveyed to CN and 744 retired prior
745, 746, 747, 750 786246-3, 4, 5, 8 9/79 Ex-O&W 9952, 9953, 9954 & 9957; the 746, 747 & 759 conveyed to CN; the 745 retired prior
SD40-2 (GMD) 751 & 752 A3945, 3946 9/80 Conveyed to CN
753 & 754 A3947, 3948, 9/80 #754 conveyed to CN; 753 retired prior
755-757 A3949-3951 9/80 #755 wrecked & scrapped; the 756 & 757 conveyed to CN
758-762 A3952-56 9/80 All conveyed to CN except 760 (scrapped) and 761 (?)
763-767 A4497-4501 7/85 Conveyed to CN
C425 (Alco) 800 3392-8 10/64 Ex-BCOL 808 < nee EL 2458; retired
801-807 3392-1 to 7 10/64 Ex-EL 2451-2457; #801 & 807 retired other sold
801-807 dispositions
  • 801 retired and scrapped
  • 802 & 803 (??)
  • 804, 805 & 806 sold to MHWA
  • 807 retired and scrapped
808 3392-8 10/64 Ex-EL 2458; wrecked and reblt as #800
809-812 3392-9 to 12 10/64 Ex-EL 2459-2462
809-812 dispositions
  • 809 retired and scrapped
  • 810 wrecked and scrapped
  • 811 (??)
  • 812 retired and scrapped
B39-8E (GE) 1700 45467 11/87 LMX 8558; conveyed to CN
#1700 was typically the power for the Whistler NorthWind Excursion service
GE B36-7 (GE) 3601-3604 43130-43133 11/80 Ex-BCR 7484-7487 < ATSF 7484-7487
3607-3609 43136-43138 11/80 Ex-BCOL 7490-7492 < GCRC 7490-7492 < ATSF 7490-92
3611-13, 3616 43140-42, 43145 11/80 Ex-BCR 7494-96 & 7499 < ATSF 7494-96 & 7499
3601-3616 dispositions
  • 3601 conveyed to CN
  • 3602, 3603 sold prior to CN takeover
  • 3604 Sold to Savage 3604
  • 3607, 3608 & 3609 sold to Progress Rail 3607-3609
  • 3610 sold prior to CN takeover
  • 3611 & 3612 sold to Savage
  • 3613 sold to Progress Rail 3613
  • 3616 conveyed to CN
C36-7M (GE) 3621-3622 41627, 41629 11/77 Bought from Helm < CR 6601 & 6603; conveyed to CN
3623-3625 41634-35, 41633 11/77 Bought from Helm < CR 6608, 6609 & 6607; #3624 sold to Progress Rail prior to CN takeover, others conveyed to CN
3626 41631 11/77 Bought from Helm < CR 6605; conveyed to CN
B39-8E (GE) 3901 & 3902 45654, 45655 7/88 Ex-GE 8000 & 8001; conveyed to CN
3904-3906 45464, 45483, 45425 10/87, 3/98, 12/87 Ex-LMX 8555, 8574 & 8516; conveyed to CN
3907-3910 45435, 58, 65 & 68 10-11/87 Ex-LMX 8526, 8549, 8556 & 8559; conveyed to CN
3911 45425 10/87 Ex-LMX 8566; conveyed to CN
C40-8Mu (GE) 4601-4622 46296-317 4/90 Upgraded to 4400 hp; conveyed to CN
4623-4626 47180-83 2/93 Upgraded to 4400 hp; conveyed to CN
C44-9WL (GE) 4641-4644 48469-72 3/95 Pacesetter equipped; conveyed to CN
4645-4654 52602-11 8-9/00 Conveyed to CN
GF6C (EMD) 6001-6007 A4340-46 1983-84 50 Kv Electric loco; sold and scrapped
B36-7 (GE) 7488 431434 11/80 Ex-GCRC 7488 < nee ATSF 7488; sold prior to CN takeover
7489 43135 11/80 Ex-ATSF 7489; sold prior to CN takeover
7497 43143 11/80 Ex-ATSF 7497; wrecked and scrapped
7498 43144 11/80 Ex-GCRC 7498< nee ATSF 7498; sold prior to CN takeover
RDC1 (Budd) BC10-BC12 6319-6321 8/56 Sold to ORRX 10 & 11 and IRSX #?
BC-14 7003 11/62 Ex-BCOL BC-20 < SEPTA 9155 < nee Rdg 9155; wrecked & retired
BC-15 6618 2/57 Ex-VIA 6102 < CN 6102 < nee Rdg D102; sold to MBRX 15 (2002)
(BC-16) 5817 3/53 Ex-VIA 6128 < nee CP 9051; unit never re#d or operated; sold to IRSX #? (2002)
BC-21 7004 11/62 Ex-SEPTA 9128; damaged by fire (6/2002)
BC-22 7008 12/62 Ex-SEPTA 9160 < nee Rdg 9160; wrecked
BC-23 6607 2/57 Ex-VIA 6211 < nee CN 9112; retired and blown up for TV's "X-Files" (11/1995)
RDC3 (Budd) BC-30 & 31 6508, 6509 9/56 #30 Sld to MBRX 30 (2002); #31 wrecked by fire damage (11/1973)
BC-31(2nd) 6302 7/56 Ex-Amtrak 43 < BN 2350 < nee GN 2250; sold to ORRX 31
BC-33 6601 9/56 -

* * * Yard Power & Support Units * * *

Model (& Bldr) PGE Road # Bldr Nmbr Date Notes
Yard Slug 401, 402 & 403 -- -- (see RS-3 564, 571 & 577)
405 & 404 -- -- (see RS-3 555 & 560)
406 & 407 -- -- (see RS-3 567 & 566
408, 409 & 410 -- -- (see RS-3 573, 559 & 562
S13 (MLW) 501 82548 1/59 Ex-PGE 1001; re-#d from BCOL 1001; to GWWD 501 (1989) > OSR 501 (1996) > WCR 501 > WCR 1001
502 82549 1/59 Ex-PGE 1002; re-#d from BCOL 1002; to Vancouver Wharves 827 (1992) > OSR 502 (1996)> WCR 502/1002
503 82550 1/59 Ex-PGE 1003; re-#d from BCOL 1003; to GWWD 201
H10-44 (FM) 1004 82550 1/59 Ex-PGE 1004 < nee PGE D-1>
Remote Control Car RCC1 Alco 78288 12/50 Ex-PGE RCC1 < nee SPS FB-1 866B-1; to PNW-NRHS (1988)
RCC1 (2nd) EMD 9555 3/50 Ex-BCOL RCC 10 < BN RCU112 < BN F7B 671 < nee GN 454C; to Central BC Ry Museum (1992)
RCC2 MLW 81186 4/55 Ex-BCOL RCC2 < PGE RCC2 < CN 6854; nee CN FPB-2 6810; to Locomotive Preservation Society (1988)
RCC3 & RCC4 CLC 2722, 2723 4/53 Ex-BCOL RCC3 & RCC4 < PGE RCC3 & RCC4 < CP CFB16-4 4455 & 4456; to Locomotive & Ry Historical Society of Western Canada, temporarily stored at De Winton, AB (1994)
RCC5 EMD 11087 10/50 Ex-BCOL RCC5 < BN RCU106 < BN F7B 621 < nee GN 307B; retired
RCC6 EMD 16087 4/52 Ex-BCOL RCC6 < BN RCU107(2nd) < BN F7B 641 < nee GN 313B; retired (1990)
RCC7 EMD 9548 3/50 Ex-BCOL RCC7 < BN RCU108 < BN F7B 661 < nee GN 448B; retired
RCC8 EMD 3874 1/47 Ex-BCOL RCC8 < BN RCU109 < BN F3B 701 < NP 6000B < nee NP 6011B; retired
RCC9 EMD 10922 2/50 Ex-Ex-BCOL RCC9 < BN RCU111 < BN F7B 713 < nee NP 6008B; retired

* * * General Information * * *

General Information
Credits:

Corrections and additions from: Doug Lawson, Duane Cooke, R. Craig, Paul J. Crozier Smith, Bryan Jones, Ken McCutheon, Ken Perry, and Doug Wingfield.

Reference Sources:

  • Extra 2200 South Locomotive Newsletter (April 1962)
  • Canadian Trackside Guide (2005, 2007, 2013 & 2021) by the Bytown Railway Society, Inc.

Railroad Abbreviations:

  • A&M - Arkansa & Missouri
  • Alco - American Locomotive Company
  • ATSF - Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe
  • CLC - Canadian Locomotive Company
  • CN - Canadian National
  • EL - Erie Lackawanna
  • EMD - Electro-Motive Division (of GM)
  • FM - Fairbansk-Morse
  • GE - General Electric
  • GMDL - Genral Motors Diesel Locomotive
  • HBRY - Hudson Bay Railway
  • IRSX - Industrial Rail Services
  • KCC- Kennecott Copper Co.
  • L&HR - Lehigh & Hudson River
  • LMX - Locomotive Motive Leasing Group of GE
  • M-K - Morrison-Knudson, Inc.
  • MHWA - Mohawk & Adirondak
  • MLW - Montreal Locomotive Works
  • O&W - Oneida & Western
  • OSR - Ontario Southern
  • RCC - Remote Control Car
  • RDC - Rail Diesel Car
  • SP&S - Spokane Portland & Seattle
  • WCRM - Western Canada RR Museum

Back to Motive Power Rosters

Back to By-Gone Banners