Canadian National Class Z-4-a

The Canadian National Class Z-4-a was a batch of nine electric "boxcab" type locomotives built by English Electric for the Montreal Harbour Commissioners, later National Harbour Board of Canada from 1924 to 1926. The Port of Montreal decided to de-electrify its railway system in 1940, and so in 1941 the fleet of locomotives were traded with Canadian National Railway for seven steam switcher locomotives.[1] They were given the classification Class Z-4-a by CN and renumbered. They would subsequently be renumbered in 1949 and finally 1969.[2] Here they complimented the older GE built boxcabs, the class Z-1-a. Both boxcab types served the Mount Royal Tunnel route in Montreal for many years until retirement in June 1995.[3]

Canadian National Class Z-4-a
#6722 at Monkland Station, Montreal 1971
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
DesignerEnglish Electric
BuilderEnglish Electric
Build date1924-26
Total produced9
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARB+B
 • UICBo+Bo
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Minimum curve264 ft (80 m)
Loco weight201,600 lb (91,444 kg)
(78.925 t; 77.679 LT; 87.000 ST)
Electric system/s2400, later 3000 V DC catenary
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
Performance figures
Maximum speed50 mph (80 km/h)
Power output:
 • 1 hour1,720 hp (1,280 kW)
Tractive effort:
 • Starting50,400 lbf (224 kN)
 • Continuous21,400 lbf (95 kN)
Career
OperatorsMontreal Harbour Commissioners

National Harbour Board

Canadian National Railway
ClassZ-4-a
Number in class9
Numbers101-109 (1924 to 1941)

9180-9189 (1941 to 1949) 180-188 (1949 to 1969)

6716-6724 (1969 to withdrawal)
Withdrawn1995
DispositionAll scrapped

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Errata" (PDF). CRHA News Report. No. 132. April 1962. p. 63. OCLC 13676734. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  2. ^ "From Preston to Montreal". Railway Matters. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  3. ^ Radford, William J. (September–October 1995). "The End of the Old CN Electrics" (PDF). Canadian Rail. No. 448. p. 196. ISSN 0008-4875. Retrieved 17 January 2015.