New Locomotive from Rapido Trains: The Unique GMD-1

In keeping with his commitment to producing unique Canadian locomotives and rolling stock, Jason Shron and the Rapido Trains crew are bringing out one of the most unique Canadian locomotives--the GMD-1.

Produced by General Motors Diesel (GMD) from 1958 to 1960, the GMD-1 was created to handle trains on light rail branchlines in Canada's prairie provinces. Of the 101 units produced, 96 went to Canadian National Railway and five went to Northern Alberta Railways.

Over time, units migrated east and west for use as switchers in yards and in other duties. Today a few can be found in the U.S. in shortline railroad service.

The new GMD-1 model is the latest in a series of new Canadian offerings from several manufacturers. It's quite a change from when I started back in the hobby in 1987. Back then, there wasn't very much available for Canadian model railroaders; today, we are almost overwhelmed by the fine array of models available to us. It truly is a golden age for those of us north of the 49th parallel!

Now if we could just get Atlas to make a CP Rail SD40-2, my life would be complete . . . .

You can learn more about the GMD-1 on the CN Lines website.

You can view the unique way Jason chose to unveil this new product by clicking here.

Photo from CN Lines.