A dirty Sweep...
I do love the odd balls, the underdog, the unlikely hero - perhaps it is an echo of how I feel about myself, perhaps the stories told to me through childhood? Even now, characters on TV and film who capture my attention have that same peculiar character. Strike, Perez, Mac... (Top marks for anyone who gets all three). I digress, this Canadian National SW1200RM , or Sweep, is certainly a rarity, if not a hero. Just 8 were built before CN decided that the extra 100hp of the conversion did not warrant the cost, and reverted to a more traditional 'refresh' of its SW1200RS fleet in the mid 1980s. The upgraded 567 prime mover with 645 power assemblies were combined with the long hood of retired GP9s for their cooling equipment. A new cab was fabricated featuring good visibility for yard work. Whilst others may see 'ugly' I see burly husky power. Small but mighty. I can't remember the first time I saw a photo of one - perhaps a model even, in a magazine. It looked as if s
