VIA FP9ARM

File:VIAFPA9RM6309.jpg

Via Rail FP9ARM number 6309 at the Canadian Railway Museum in St.Constant, Quebec waiting for restoration on 15th June 2006.

The VIA Rail FP9ARM was a remanufactured GMDD FP9A.

History

In the early-to-mid-1980s VIA needed units equipped with Head End Power (HEP). VIA Rail had a surplus of steam-heated GMDD VIA FP9A units built in the 1950s and so fifteen of these units were remanufactured. The first twelve units, 6300–6311, were remanufactered at the Pointe St-Charles shops in Montreal, Quebec while the final three, 6312–6314, were remanufactered at the CN shops in Moncton, New Brunswick shops.

The first five, remanufactured in 1983 and early 1984 became VIA Rail class GPA-418a while the remainder, remanufactured in mid-1984 to mid-1985 became VIA Rail class GPA-418b

The original 16-567C engine block was replaced with a 16-645C engine block, raising the horse power from 1750 HP to 1800 HP.

Operations

After rebuilding the FP9ARM units could be found in service across Canada.

In later years the locomotives were used on services in Northern Manitoba and in Northern Quebec. There use on these lines allowed for the GMDD VIA F40PH-2 previously used on these lines to be transferred to other duties. They remained on these lines until retirement.

Accidents

The 6310 and 6314 were both wrecked in 1993.

Preservation

One example, 6309, has been preserved by the Canadian Railway Museum, located at Saint-Constant, Quebec.

Fleet details

VIA FP9ARM number 6300 in Vancouver

Key:	Preserved	Scrapped	Still with VIA	Sold

Numbers
63xx	ex 65xx	Serial	Build date	Remanufactured	Notes
6300	6524	A1196	04/57	12/83	Still occasionally used as a switcher at the Vancouver Maintenance Centre
6301	6534	A1394	05/58	12/83	Stored at the Montreal Maintenance Centre
6302	6533	A1393	05/58	12/83	Sold Georgetown Southwestern Railway #6303
6303	6539	A1399	07/58	12/83	Sold Railink #1400
6304	6509	A639	12/54	03/84	Sold IFE Leasing 6304
6305	6508	A638	12/54	06/84	Sold Les Trains Touristique St. Laurant
6306	6520	A1050	03/57	06/84	Sold Les Trains Touristique St. Laurant
6307	6515	A1045	01/57	10/84	Sold Ohio Central Railroad 6307
6308	6521	A1051	03/57	12/84	Sold Georgia Southwestern Railroad 6308
6309	6528	A1200	05/57	12/84	Donated Canadian Railway Museum
6310	6532	A1204	05/57	12/84	Wrecked, 09/04/1993
6311	6529	A1201	05/57	12/84	Sold IFE Leasing 6311
6312	6523	A1195	03/57	12/84	Sold Railink 1401
6313	6526	A1198	04/57	03/85	Sold Ohio Central Railroad # 6313
6314	6527	A1199	04/57	05/85	Wrecked, 09/04/1993