CP D-TC Locomotives from CLC

The Canadian Locomotive Co. built 14 Diesel-Torque Converter 44-ton four-axle switchers for Canadian Pacific between 1956 and 1960. Part of their appeal to CP was that being less than 45 tons, the plucky locomotives did not require a locomotive fireman, therefore generating crew cost savings! Prior to their acceptance by CP, the little locomotives were photographed by the company before leaving Kingston. Plant buildings in the background give indications that the 'broken-window syndrome' has taken hold:

CP 20 at Ontario and Gore Streets. Try parking a locomotive on Ontario Street these days! A sign near the limestone wall points the way to Pyke Navigation and Salvage, and the diamond-shaped CLC builder's plates can be seen prominently on the side sill. 

The last five  of the D-TC's were completed in April and May of 1960. CP 23 left the plant on May 30, 1960. These photos show her at the junction of CN's Hanley Spur and the Montreal-Toronto mainline (at left) to be picked up and forwarded to CP, likely in Montreal. These little switchers comprised CP's last order placed with CLC. They were not known for their reliability, and most were retired by the 1970's.

These photos are part of the Canadian Locomotive Co. fonds, Queen's University Archives. CP 10, the first of the class is positioned for its builder's photo on Ontario Street. CP 10 and 11 were completed in November, 1956 and that's likely when these photos were taken. Interestingly, they both returned to the plant to have their trucks replaced. Initially fitted with trucks for a 60-ton, not 44-ton unit, they were overweight by 6,000 pounds. When they re-emerged in February, 1957 there was snow on the ground!

Notice how the 'side-rods' are painted silver. This no doubt comforted the old steam heads - when they saw those side-rods, perhaps they thought these new-fangled bread-boxes were not all that different. This was at the height of first-generation dieselization of both Canadian railways and the demise of steam. The upswept grey paint and the location of builder's plate and F[orward] lettering at right indicate that the front of the unit faces north to the mainline, just like virtually every other locomotive produced here.

That over-intersection streetlight catches my eye! More photos: