[4K] Last Stand Of The MLW's On SFG (12/11/2023)

On 12/11/2023 A friend and I made a trip to the Gaspe Railway to chase Train 565 from New Richmond to Matapedia, Quebec. With news that SFG was getting a batch of GP38-3's in the near future I wanted to capture the railroad's RS18u fleet, since at the time it was rumored the GP38's would be replacing them. As of posting 4 GP38-3's have arrived and the 6 RS18u's have been placed in storage for the time being until the line to Port-Daniel is reopened in the spring. Its not known if the RS18u's will eventually be replaced by more HLCX GP38-3's, but starting in the summer of 2025 they will be used in freight service once again.
The trip itself was a marathon, driving to Edmunston through an ice storm resulting in only 1 hour of sleep before I had to continue on. The entire time I was chasing SFG it was a steady downpour, however it was worth it.
After arriving in Matapedia I caught CN 558 leaving town, before heading back through a blizzard to Maine where I caught MNR 530 on the way home at Frenchville. The rest of the way to Sherman/I-95 was extremely sketchy with many iced over hills and the road being flooded in a few spots. But after nearly 50 hours of being awake I got back home.
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[@Maine_Railfan]

For those wondering the audio is screwed up due to the rain cover on my camera. The horn was reverberating off of it causing it to be distorted.

[@princessofthecape2078]

Perfect weather.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Cool video and enjoyed watching. Have a wonderful upcoming weekend. Steve

[@Maine_Railfan]

Thanks for watching!

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

@@Maine_Railfan you are welcome!

[@danielfantino1714]

Thanks my friend for that excellent document of rarely seen railroad.
When i read your story, i feel sick for you. What an endless drive, rain non stop all day, damp, muggy, no colors, everything is grey and awful temperature going back home.
You dederve a medal for that expedition !!
I was to suggest Sartigan for those 2 former Ottawa Central if i´m not wrong. But you already mentionned it. They seem 251 in their blood.
Thanks for your share and stay well😊😊😊

[@toddarmstrong.trackside.action]

what a beautiful video... thanks for standing in the rain catching those MLWs and thanks for sharing

[@jamesburnside3023]

Great work and coverage

[@cfmg403]

Nice catch, I too was in August 2024 see the SFG Railway.

[@workinghardusa]

Cool video, well done!

[@UPDetector]

Nice catches

[@Maine_Railfan]

Thanks for watching!

[@CringeKid-y4w]

Me: Mom, dad. I -
My parents watching the news: 1:48

[@CBrailfan]

Nice catches shame that these are in storage now

[@Maine_Railfan]

Thanks for watching! And yes it is.

[@davidbrown4823]

Great video but great to see MLW units.

[@kelvintorrence5994]

as much as I love my alcos and their sister engines let face it, its 2025 shortly and those babys are wearing out pr worn out now, good video

[@Maine_Railfan]

Thanks for watching! We will see how long they last after traffic picks up this summer. I am guessing more Gp38-3's will be coming in the not too distant future. At least the Sartigan over by Quebec City has been building their MLW fleet. They have a RS18u, RS23, 4 M420W's (2 are parts units), and now a M636 with the intent to buy more MLW/Alco's in the future.

[@kelvintorrence5994]

@@Maine_Railfan great video again and thanks 4 the reply