The boxcars are still used, but now only between Calgary and the Kamloops area.
You won't normally see them in Vancouver, but I think occasionally they will
run one right through if a tunnel in the canyon starts to become problematic.
The westbound freight would then stay on CPR all the way instead of directional
running on CN. I believe it is the daily long distance locals, whatever their
current numbers are, that generally handle the cars both ways.
The gyralite on the roof of the A-units was removable, and I think only
installed on the lead A-unit when needed. When a 1400 was used on one of the
intercity trains out of Montreal it did not carry one. Possibly they were only
used on The Canadian but I know little about the operation of The Dominion.
My belief is that their function was mostly decorative, part of promoting the
train. The locomotive headlight would do a more than adequate job of lighting
icicles, and the train would not normally have time to stop anyway. The
gyralites were aimed higher and would tease the skyline dome rider with a
wandering spot of light on a hillside. It could also provide early
identification of the train to opposing movements or track forces in the night.
John
--- In cpsig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Doug Cummings" <DougCummings@...> wrote:
I believe they were only on the passenger A units and the prime purpose was
to spot icicles and other things that could possibly strike the domes
further back in the train. They also put icicle breakers on the roof of
these same locomotives. For freight service they put icicle breakers on the
roof of a small group of box cars and ran them behind the locomotives in the
mountains. They served the same purpose but it was to protect automobiles
being carried on the top level of bi and tri level auto cars. In those days
the bi and tri level auto cars were not enclosed like they are today.
Doug
Subject: [cpsig] Roof Mounted Mars Lights on CP FP7,s and CP FP9's
I have a question regarding the dual light mounted on the roof, basically
between the icycle breakers, of CP FP7's and FP9's. I have looked at many
photographs of these units and sometimes they are present, other times not.
Were they removable, and thus usually only on the lead diesel unit?
Mike
