I had to purchase this slide of headless CN 8463.
The note on the slide frame says “Pacific Avenue Moncton 19751116”.
This would have been near CN’s shops complex in Moncton, New Brunswick. That was well after Gordon Yard was opened, but the shops were open until the mid 1980s, I believe.
CN 8463 was an MLW S-3, built in early 1953 (CN MLW S-3 Nos. 8450 – 8498 – CNRHA web site).
15 of the 48 S-3 locomotives owned by CN were converted to “boosters” by removing the cab and the diesel locomotive, using a partner locomotive’s generator to power the electric traction motors. These are commonly called “slugs” but CN called them boosters, presumably for the boost they gave regular diesel-electric locomotives in traction and braking power.
With the cab removed, you’d think CN 8463 was destined to become a slug, but that was not to be. Looking at the open doors, uncapped stack, missing handrails, and general condition, this locomotive was likely being parted out prior to scrapping.
Just One More Thing
I really like the prominent ACI bar code projecting above the frame.
Follow the link above to Ian Cranstone’s site to understand these old bar codes. Unfortunately I can’t read this one clear enough to decode it.
My recollection is that Pacific Avenue was alongside the original Intercolonial line west of their Moncton station. Abutting the south side of the Main Shops, there was a yard where about-to-be-scrapped units were collected. In September 1967, I first encountered strings of CLC H-12s and MLW 244-powered road switchers. It was very sad to see many examples of my favourite model, the RS-3. Fortunately, I caught similar units running at Gordon Yard.