VIA Rail Canada 6400-6458

VIA Rail Canada F40PH-2D 6446

VIA Rail Canada 6400-6458 are GMDD F40PH-2D locomotives (often known as F40PH-2's). They were built in three batches, with most of the fleet still in active service.

The F40PH locomotives were purchased to allow for the retirement of much of VIA's run-down and antiquated locomotives that they received from CN and CPR. The fleet was meant to become the primary long-distance motive power for VIA, with the LRC's providing the bulk of the Corridor service. The second round of budget cuts in January 1990 meant that many of the troublesome LRC's could be put into storage, and the F40PH's would provide the majority of all service.

These units are amongst the last F40PH's built, and are some of the most advanced. While they are classified as -2's, they are closer in technology to 50-series units, with radar wheelslip systems. Much as most other F40PH's, the HEP alternator is gear-driven from the prime mover, meaning that it must run at a constant RPM regardless of the speed of the actual locomotive. The D at the end of the designation signifies the desktop control stand that the units are equipped with.

After initial purchase, many had to operate in service leading either a steam generator car, or existing VIA locos equipped with steam generators (FP9's, F9B's, FPA4's, FPB4's, etc) as VIA still had a significant fleet of steam-heated passenger cars the HEP-powered F40's could not heat. Modernization and rebuilding of the passenger car fleet with HEP in the 1990's helped eliminate this.

Some surplus units were leased to power-short Canadian Pacific in the 1990's to operate in freight service, often combined with other CP units or lease units on freights.

In the late 90's most of the units had a livery update, featuring large Canadian flags applied to the sides, a thicker blue stripe, and the words "Canada" added.

The clean air room air intake vents on the roof of the units changed to a different style over the years. Most were re-equipped by the early-mid 2000's, but unit 6414 carried its early style intakes until (at least) late 2007.

A few units were previously equipped with an extra high-output spot beam just below the main headlights. This was incorporated into the rebuild program, as were the extra emergency horns found on Operation Lifesaver unit 6411 before rebuild.

In the 2000's, most of the lower numbered units were assigned to the east out of Montreal, and most of the higher numbers to the west out of Vancouver for maintenance. A few higher numbered units were assigned Winnipeg as well.

The purchase of the GE P42DC locomotives in 2001 allowed VIA to rest the overworked F40PH fleet, and even allowed VIA to send one unit (6400) in for a major refurbishment and upgrading. It emerged in 2006, with a new prime mover, new traction motors and electricals, plug-in layover system, and a computerized control and diagnostic system. VIA announced that the rest of the fleet would be rebuilt in late 2007, but would feature a refurbished prime mover and a separate HEP genset in an effort to make the units more efficient and more reliable. It is expected that they will be able to provide another 15 years of reliable service once outshopped.

Early in 2009 CAD Railway Industries in Lachine, Quebec outshopped 6402. Resplendent in the new "Renaissance" scheme, it carried most of the improvements of 6400 as well as a new, separate HEP system enclosed in the extended rear carbody. CAD began the overhaul of eight locomotives at a time once the testing and debugging process was completed. The overhaul program was complete in 2012.

All units were delivered with the Nathan K3L 3-chime horn. During rebuild, these units received additional 5-chime K5CA-LS 'emergency' horns, mounted on two brackets above the cab, in compliance with new Transport Canada regulations. This type of horn plays the first three bells in 'soft' mode, while all five bells play in 'emergency' mode. In recent years, train crews have been using the 'soft' mode of the K5CA in lieu of the original K3L horns, due to the ineffectiveness of the original horns especially when the locomotive is travelling at full speed.

In July 2013, unit 6403 was renumbered 6459. This was done to avoid having 6403 "immortalized" on the new $10 polymer bills, which featured an image of The Canadian with 6403 leading, lest any accident or incident involve it.

A number of units were given special full body wraps and paint schemes over the years for promotional and advertising purposes (such units are noted in the wrap table, as well as in the roster). The length of time the wraps were applied varied depending on the promotion and contract details. The Spiderman 2 wrapped units lasted a lot longer than normal: apparently, when VIA tried removing the wraps on 2 of their 6 Spiderman 2 wrapped units it damaged the paint underneath, hence the wraps were left intact on the remaining 4 units until they were rebuilt years later. When Spiderman 3 came out in 2007, the remaining Spiderman 2 wrapped units were still in service!

Details

Fleet number	Thumbnail	Date	Serial	Status/Disposal	Notes
6400		11/1986	A4597	RETIRED Involved in derailment on February 25, 2010 in Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse, QC and later retired.	Carried Diet Pepsi cola scheme briefly in 1990. Rebuilt class GPA-30d with Renaissance scheme, no separate HEP (first unit rebuilt).
6401		11/1986	A4598		Carried Spiderman 2 wrap. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme (see: before photo).
6402		1986-87	A4599		Rebuilt class GPA-30h with Renaissance scheme - see (after photo). First unit to feature separate HEP engine and alternator. Equipped with an extra high-output spot beam just below the main headlights. Equipped with additional "emergency" horn.
6403		1986-87	A4600	Renumbered to 6459 on July 23rd 2013.	Carried "CBC 50th anniversary" wrap. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6404		1986-87	A4601		Carried Kool-Aid wrap. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6405		1986-87	A4602		Carried Kool-Aid wrap. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6406		11/1986	A4603		Carried Kool-Aid wrap. Carried Spiderman 2 scheme. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6407		1986-87	A4604		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme (see: after photo).
6408		1986-87	A4605		Carried Spiderman 2 scheme. Carried Coors Light wrap. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6409		12/1986	A4606		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6410		1986-87	A4607		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6411		1986-87	A4608		Carried Kool-Aid wrap. Carried modified scheme with Operation LifeSaver lettering and graphics. Equipped with additional "emergency" horns. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6412		1986-87	A4609		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6413		1986-87	A4610		Carried Spiderman 2 scheme. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6414		12/1986	A4612		Had experimental horn enclosure at front in the early 1990s. Carried wrap for Loto Québec's "La Poule aux Oeufs d'Or". Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6415		12/1986	A4613		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6416		1986-1987	A4614		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6417		1986-87	A4615		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6418		1986-87	A4616		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6419		01/1987	A4617		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme (see: before rebuild). Has a Graham-White electronic bell.
6420		1987	A4695		Equipped with an extra high-output spot beam just below the main headlights. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6421		1987	A4696		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6422		1987	A4697	RETIRED in January 2001. Wrecked 9/11/1999, Acton, Ontario
6423		1987	A4698	RETIRED in July 1999 Wrecked 23/04/1999, Thamesville, Ontario
6424		07/1987	A4699		Carried Kool-Aid wrap. Carried Spiderman 2 wrap. Carried Budweiser scheme.
6425		07/1987	A4700		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6426		1987	A4701		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6427		07/1987	A4702		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6428		08/1987	A4703		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6429		08/1987	A4704		Carried "Home Hardware" wrap. Carried "Telus / Olympics 2010" wrap. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6430		1989	A4631	RETIRED in January 2001 Wrecked 23/11/1999, Bowmanville, Ontario
6431		1989	A4632		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6432		04/1989	A4633		Carried Kool-Aid wrap. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6433		04/1989	A4634		Carried Kool-Aid wrap. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6434		04/1989	A4835		Carried Spiderman 2 scheme. Equipped with an extra high-output spot beam just below the main headlights. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6435		1989	A4836		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6436		1989	A4837		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6437		04/1989	A4838		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6438		1989	A4839		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6439		1989	A4840		Carried Kool-Aid wrap. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6440		1989	A4841		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6441		1989	A4842		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6442		1989	A4843		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6443		1989	A4844		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6444		1989	A4845	RETIRED Severely damaged in derailment 26/02/2012, Burlington Ontario	Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6445		1989	A4846		Carried Coors Light wrap (2011). Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme. Carried Canadian Football League wrap for Grey Cup train (2012).
6446		1989	A4847		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6447		1989	A4848	RETIRED in November 1998 Wrecked 03/09/1997, Biggar Saskatchewan
6448		05/1989	A4849		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6449		1989	A4850		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6450		1989	A4851	RETIRED in January 2001 Wrecked 01/01/2000, Miramichi, New Brunswick
6451		1989	A4852		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6452		1989	A4853		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6453		1989	A4854		Carried Kool-Aid wrap. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6454		1989	A4855		Carried Kool-Aid wrap. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6455		1989	A4856		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6456		1989	A4857		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6457		1989	A4858		Involved in a derailment on February 25, 2010. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6458		1989	A4859		Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.
6459		1986-87	A4600		Formerly numbered 6403. Carried "CBC 50th anniversary" wrap. Rebuilt in Renaissance scheme.

Wraps

Below is a summary table of VIA F40PH-2 wraps, listing the wrap livery, units wrapped, timeframe and other important notes. Some units were briefly wrapped for a promotional tour or train and never saw regular revenue service, others wore their wraps for years or until rebuilt by CAD Rail.

Wrap/Livery	Units	Years	Notes
Diet Pepsi	6400	1990 (brief)	Part of Diet Pepsi promotion across Canada. Used on special train with Pepsi-painted steam generator car. Livery removed after (did not wear in regular service).
CBC 50 Years	6403	2002-2010	Red/Maroon wrap livery for CBC's 50th Anniversary. Lasted until rebuilt.
Operation Lifesaver	6411	2003-rebuild	Modified normal scheme with Operation Lifesaver graphics and lettering. Lasted until rebuilt.
Home Hardware	6429	1997-2000?	Yellow livery for cross Canada trip contest.
Telus	6429	2006-2011	Green wrap livery with Telus and flower, which was later replaced with Vancouver Olympic 2010 bid lettering. Lasted until rebuilt.
Kool-Aid	6404, 6405, 6406, 6411, 6424, 6432, 6433, 6439, 6453, 6454	2000 (brief)	Multi-coloured Kool-Aid wrap imagery on sides with lettering. 10 units done.
Spiderman 2	6401, 6406, 6408, 6413, 6424, 6434	2004-various	Large Spiderman graphics on side. 6 units done. Wrap removed early on 6413 & 6424, other units left with wrap on until rebuilt.
Budweiser	6424	2005-2006	Red wrap Wrapped for Budweiser Super Bowl Tailgate Train, promoting Superbowl XL in Detroit, MI.
Coors Light	6408, 6445	2011	White/silver/black Wrapped for Coors Light. Wrap differed slightly on each unit. Lasted until rebuilt.
Canadian Football League	6445	2012 (brief)	Red and grey wrap with CFL graphics. Wrapped for cross Canada Grey Cup tour train in 2012. First rebuilt unit wrapped.

References

• Canadian Trackside Guide
• Personal notes & sightings
• Canadian Passenger Rail Yahoo Group
• Manny Jacob's VIA F40PH-2 site