Canadian Pacific Railway

GMD FP7 and F7B 65 mph

First diesel ordered from the new General Motors Diesel plant in London, Ontario. 4028 FP7A 1500 hp A100 9/1950 was first of ten units ordered. However, the first unit actually released from the GMD plant was TH&B 71 a GP7 road switcher. Unfortunately, neither was preserved. TH&B 71 was lost in a major level crossing wreck and the 4028 was traded-in to GMD for a GP35 after a fire 4/23/1965 replacing scheduled 4431 part of an order for 12 units built using traded-in components. An earlier order for 12 GP35 units the year before were built all-new. Some later FP7A and F7B units were renumbered in 1400 and 1900 series when re-geared to 89 mph from standard 65 mph for fast passenger trains including The Canadian. 4028-4037 (10) returned to GMD for installation of steam generators 3-5,1952. Also, 4066-4075 (10) 10/1954-1/1955. They were later re-geared and renumbered back. Some wound up in Montreal commuter service later being sold to the MUCTC and renumbered again. Still others were sold to VIA Rail upon its start up. Incredibly, after more than 50 years a few still exist on shortlines, tourist trains and at museums. A pair of these "covered wagons" are preserved on display in Medicine Hat next to the CPR main line where they once ran. One, 1400 (nee 4099) was re-acquired by the CPR from a US shortline in 1998 for use on the Royal Canadian Pacific special passenger trains. These 1500 hp, and later model FP9A and F9B 1750 hp units were used in both freight and passenger service across much of the system.

4031 Smiths Falls 3/11/1967 Bruce Chapman

4058 (A306 1/1952) first of a six unit order. 4443 (A317 4/1952) part of 11 units.
Became 1416 12/18/1954 and 1917 1/05/1955
L.B.Chapman Collection

A and B units were readily mixed and matched with road switchers of all makes. 4424 first GMD F7B A250 10/1951

Extra 4067 leads 4066 shortly after delivery (8/22/1952) as first two units of a new order. GMD A368 8/1952
Note: 11/1954 re# 1423; 9/1965 re# 4067. Subsequent owner; 9/1978 VIA 4067-4066

4067 (along with 4070) went on to "fame" when it starred in 20th Century Fox's movie Silver Streak!

4072 (ex 1428 nee 4072) looking pretty sad but still earning its keep hauling commuters. Sold 10/01/1982 MUCTC 1302
FP7A GMD A373 9/1952 Glen (Montreal) 4/06/1971 Joseph Testagrose Collection