CN's Sweeps 1350 hp SW1200RMs

CN's "Sweeps" were 1350 hp re-manufactured SW1200RSs that also used parts from GP9s including the main generator and long hood. Eight were built in Pointe St. Charles Montreal shops and five are seen in this video at work either in the Halifax area or in Gordon yards Moncton in 1998.

[@FelicianaDelacruz]

These are rather reminiscent of the Santa Fe "Beep" and CF7's that were hybrids that ran for ages as well. It certainly goes to show that the railroads were really creative in coming up with ideas to suit their needs. Great video and thanks for sharing.

[@ericgriswold1268]

One of the first successful road deisels GM put out was the FT cab unit rated at 1350hp. The more things change, the more they stay the same!!

[@haroldalexis4200]

This is a wonderful video this is what makes me have joy to be a railroader & scale models as well. Great shots and thank you for presenting this & thanking you as well CN. ❤👍✅⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@barneyrubble4563]

These 7100 units were used in the Capreol Ontario yard. They were used as yard switchers or short haulers and sometimes work trains for many years during the 90's.

[@jamesstuart3346]

Never fails...just when I think I know all the CN locos somebody posts one I've never heard of

[@TrainGeek]

That guy at 1:30 is quite casual about walking between the couplers... made me nervous! Great video, David - I remember the "sweeps" in Saint John around 2000-2002.

[@david-othen]

+Steve Boyko Of course we had very strict rules about that on the S&H! CN rules are not so strict and one experienced conductor was killed near Amherst a few years ago when the slack ran out.

[@CoryAY82383]

oddly enough I think 7304 is still active in Hamilton ON

[@Railfanmatt4CNA421]

I would love to see a Version of this in CP Action mark. Reminds me of something CP Would use. Especially with Mixing Bodys. Wow CN. I Enjoy these Locomotives alot.

[@david-othen]

This was a CN rebuild done at Pointe Sainte Charles Shops in Montreal.

[@Railfanmatt4CNA421]

Sweet. Would also look like it would be most belonged in Montreal on the Old CN Commuter Lines. But I love the Real History behind it quite an Amazing Locomotive

[@david-othen]

Indeed!

[@Wrathchildss]

I love Canadian rail in the 90’s! This is an awesome video!

[@williammosher9278]

A great piece of Canadian History

[@david-othen]

Absolutely. An unusual hybrid locomotive.

[@arthuridis]

Cool locomotives. I'd like to see a cabin view from one

[@LeoA2600]

What was the goal for these rebuilds? To make them more suited as a light road switcher, perhaps? What was their intended assignment? The only obvious advantages I can see on the surface is that the expensive to maintain belt driven radiator fan is obviously replaced by the electrically powered cooling fans of the GP9 donor (As Union Pacific did with their SW10's), and the dynamic braking feature from the Geep donor appears to have been maintained. And I'm assuming they got 645 power assemblies by the boost in horsepower? Were the Geep radiators needed for additional cooling after the 150 hp boost? Looks like an expensive real-life kitbash for assignments in the video that are also being handled by much less modified SW1200RS's. But no complaints here since no matter the reasoning behind their creation, they sure are neat and unique looking.

[@BluDog35]

I absolutely love these things.

[@david-othen]

+BluDog35 They certainly were unique and some people may have felt they were ugly!!

[@ZombieSlayer-dj3wb]

@@david-othen dont find them ugly at all

[@ianorr7623]

Although they were built in MONTREAL they didn't stay here long. Anything GOOD always got shipped elsewhere ASAP.

[@RobertBOUSKILL]

There was one at Hamilton, I made a HO model of it using Athearn parts

[@skylershummingbird1667]

I've been contemplating building one. Did you have to cut the hood length down?

[@RobertBOUSKILL]

@@skylershummingbird1667 I used two dummy kits, a GP7 and a SW 7.

[@markarrivi3818]

Rapido just came out with these they are just like these versions. In HO You can buy these up now. They are Really Quality New Ones

[@25mfd]

the cab on those "sweeps" looks like a alco s cab

[@CNFAN79]

Incredible! Thank you for uploading this.

[@david-othen]

You are most welcome. I will try to put together some footage of the 1300 SW1200RS and more of the 7300 SW1200RMs in the next week or so.

[@awstott]

7100 is running in Edmonton for Alta Steel.

[@david-othen]

Thanks for the update

[@ModelingSteelinHO]

I've been waiting on someone to post a video on CN Sweeps. Wonderful video !

[@david-othen]

Thanks - is there any other video you want?

[@ModelingSteelinHO]

Since your asking. You wouldn't happen to have anything on the ferry operations around B.C in the early 90's would you ? Huge fan of your channel.

[@david-othen]

Low Budget Scale Modeling. There is about a minute at the start of Mill Switchers on Vancouver Island kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2rXaXiQh56Xfa8 and also I had a short clip of the train ferry in Vancouver & Nanaimo on the video on the E&N (IIRC)

[@ModelingSteelinHO]

Thank you Mr Othen .Like those railroad ferry operations. You have quite the collection of rare equipment. The Sweep video is the second video on You-Tube depicting them.

[@david-othen]

Low Budget Scale Modeling. You are most welcome.

[@CPRail4744]

Good stuff. thanks for posting!

[@david-othen]

You are very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@esosthompe]

Very very beautiful video really

[@Creeperboy099]

So basically... a high hood switcher locomotive?

[@thestarlightalchemist7333]

SWEEPS FTW

[@PGE564]

Reminds me of the units from NewfoundLand! And Patrimone Ferroviaire?

[@synthfreakify]

Nice! Were the "Sweeps" considered a success? As a railfan I always thought they were neat, but did they perform well?

[@david-othen]

Well they all ran for 18 years and that went to CANAC for resale or leasing out

[@davidleonty2626]

Quiet cab, but very slow to load.

[@fredlohmann1448]

ALSO A 567 engine!

[@gmac8852]

Basically a derated GP7 with no nose .