| BC Rail was initially dieselised with Alco/MLW units and they
appeared in the well known two-tone green livery (in most cases with a zig-zag) with
yellow/orange ends below the frame. |
Here we see Alco C-420 (built 1966 but purchased second-hand) at Chetwynd BC on 16 May
1978. There are no operational locomotives left in this livery. 631 & 632 were the
last unmodified Alcos on the roster and both were retired in 1999 though by that time they
had been painted in the newer red, white and blue livery.
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| In 1980 the railroad began to purchase new General Motors diesels.
In 1984 seven GM electric GF6C units were purchased for use on the new Tumbler Ridge line
where the tunnels and remote location made the use of electric units more cost-effective
(although occassionally Canadian National and presumably BC Rail diesel units do travel
the line). The GF6C units appeared in an attractive new red, white and blue livery with
BRITISH COLUMBIA RAILWAY in blue and the BC flag on the white band. Soon after an Expo 86 version of this colour scheme appeared. The white band
was narrower, two white lines crossed the red band near the rear of the unit and BC Rail
in white block lettering was placed on the red band. The Expo 86 was in black on both
sides of the silver fuel tank.
After Expo 86 was over, a modified scheme was introduced with a
wider white band with a small BC flag and the BCRail logo in red and blue on this band.
There were no white lines crossing the red band.
|
 Here are GFC6Cs 6004
& 6001 exchanging trains with two Canadian National SD50s (5502 & 5505) on 7 June
1989. The CN units were being used from Tumbler Ridge because of extra trains but the
GF6Cs had taken the train through the Quintette coal loader because of their special
remote slow speed controls that allow the loader operator to control the train. The GF6Cs
also banked the train up to the summit near Bullmoose.
 Next we see SD40-2 765 at Chetwynd on 27
May 1999 in the Expo 86 livery. The Expo 86 symbol is still clearly visible in black on
the silver tank 13 years after the exhibition closed. The excellent condition of the paint
indicates that it could survive for many years to come! 767 was also seen in this livery
in June 1999.
Below we see SD40-2 756 and DASH 8-40CM 4607 entering Prince George
yards on 28 May 1999. Both are in the modified red, white and blue livery which has been
applied to most BC Rail units.
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| In 1990 BC Rail purchased its first GE units (as an add-on to a
Canadian National order - hence the full carbodies with "Draper Tapers") and
they were painted in the modified red, white and blue scheme (see photo above) In late 1995 they acquired second hand B36-7s from Santa Fe (two of which had
been leased to, and painted for, Great Canadian Railtours). These units continued to
operate in the original liveries until upgrading and de-rating to 3200hp. Two paint
schemes with several variations have apeared on these units since upgrading. At least two
(3607 & 3613) appeared in a zig-zag version of the red, white and blue scheme but most
have been painted blue sometimes with yellow (retouched) or blue and white striped ends.
The frames have been blue, yellow or silver (which may or may not extend across the
battery boxes) and only a few have been lettered BCRail.
In 1988 BCRail acquired three B39-8Es (3901-3) which are all painted
in blue with a silver frame stripe that ends at the battery boxes. They are lettered in
white and have white and blue stripes on both ends. In 1999 they acquired six C36-8s
(3921-6). These have similar liveries to the B39-8Es except that five of them have the
silver frame stripe along the entire length of the locomotive (3622 is the exception
having the stripe end at the battery boxes). These photographs llustrate the livery
variations I observed over about five days in late May and early June 1999. I did not of
course see every locomotive but I did see all the B39-8Es and C36-8s.
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B36-7s
On 28 May 1999 we see three B36-7s at Prince George in
three different liveries. From left to right we have 7484 in Santa Fe livery, 7498 in
Great Canadian Railtours livery and upgraded 3607 in the red, white and blue livery with a
zigzag.
Here we see 7489 which has not been upgraded and is
still in Santa Fe livery at Prince George on 28 May 1999.
Below, on the same day, we see an upgraded
unit in the unusual red, white and blue livery with a zig-zag similar to that on many two
tone green units.
Unlettered 3604 & 3612 on the same day illustrate
two versions of the blue livery without lettering or warning colours on the ends. 3612 has
a silver band on the frame up to the battery boxes.
3608 does not have the silver below the front platform and the rear is an unrepainted and
rather faded Santa Fe yellow.
3610 also retains the yellow rear end (although
slightly less faded!) but has also retained the yellow band along the frame and across the
front platform.
The photographs show that the upgrades have included
moving the horns from the cab roof further back, removing the equipment from the cab roof,
moving the twin headlights to the short hood and moving the bell to the former position of
the headlights.
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C36-8s
On the left we see 3621 with the full length silver
frame stripe while on the right is 3622 with the silver stripe stopping at the battery
boxes. 
Below we see 3625 illustrating the rear blue and white stripes which only occupy
the lower portion of the area.
 |
B39-8Es
Here B39-8Es 3901 and 3903 with CAT-engined RS 18 605 sandwiched
betwen them leave Dawson Creek on 27 May 1999 with a westbound freight for Chetwynd.
A view of part of the control stand of 3901 is seen on the right.
Below we see the third member of the group 3902 at
Prince George on the next day.
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For completeness, below are pictures of the other locomotive models
on the BCRail roster.
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Here we see a pair of rebuilt RS18s that have been re-engined with a 2000hp CAT engine at
Prince George on 28 May 1999. The bulge at the rear of each locomotive was designed by
BCRail staff to accomodate new ancillary equipment . Because of the grade and sharp curve
at the north end of Prince George yards a pair of units are generally used for switching
whereas elsewhere a single unit with a "slug: is usually adequate. In the picture we
see a lash-up of two RS18Rs and two slugs in the yards on the same day.
For interest I am including a view of the control stand of an RS18 (probably unrebuilt
628) seen in the Squamish yards on 1 June 1995.
Below we see one of the DASH 9-44CWL units that are similar to the CN units since they
were purchased as an add-on to the Canadian National order. It is seen at Williams Lake on
2 June 1999.
BC Rail screensaver:
We have created a BCRail screensaver in
collaboration with David Slater.
Click here for more information.
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The information on liveries is based on our bi-annual visits to
British Columbia and I am sure that there are other variations that I have not observed. Please send additional information to me.
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