CN acquires GP38-2 locomotives directly from BNSF; Essex Terminal Railway unveils a new livery.
While CN regularly acquires six-axle locomotives for main line power and has units rebuilt and repowered for modernization programs, purchase of four-axle switching locomotives is sporadic at best. In 2024, 13 BNSF GP38-2 and GP39-2 units were on horsepower-hour-based loans to CN, and by the end of the year CN exercised an option to purchase several of them. The first purchased and “patched” locomotive, now numbered CN 4959 (former BNSF 2316) is in service. It’s pictured in Hamilton, Ontario on Jan. 21, 2025.
CN has purchased other switching locomotives in the past 2 years through brokers, including 7 Union Pacific units through Metro East Industries, and 5 former HLCX locomotives from Wells Fargo. This is the first time in a few years that CN has purchased four-axle locomotives directly from another Class I. The final number of purchased BNSF units from the 13 on loan is yet to be determined.
Independently owned and operated Essex Terminal Railway (ETR), one of the oldest short lines in Canada (est. 1902), has painted one of its locomotives in a new scheme. ETR staff developed this scheme, which incorporates the green, yellow and black that have been used on its locomotives since the railway bought its first diesels during World War II. No. 107 is pictured at the Lambton Diesel Specialists shop in Sarnia, where the locomotive was painted after repairs were completed. The Essex Terminal operates about 34 miles of track, handling about 15,000 cars a year interchanging with CN, CPKC and CSX.
