When I heard that CN sold the line in the mid 1990s I was alittle worried. I knew a shortline would be better for the Sydney to Truro line but at the same time I knew alot of change was coming. For starters, the Sydney yard was literally cut in half before the sale, which was a blow to me because with the excpetion of the roundhouse and a few service tracks the yard remained the same since I was 8 (I should know, I mapped every turnout in the entire yard). Another worry of mine was my old friends, my old friends being the MLW units I was accustomed to seeing. Fortunately I was luckier here. When the CBNS started operations they used nothing but EX CN MLW units, most of which called the line home anyway. The CBNS ran several C630s (with more in the yard for parts), RS18s and RS18s on A1A trucks. They even ran one M636 for a short period until it was scrapped (sob). Although releaved to see MLW units I did miss seeing my two favorite locomotives, the M636 and the M420W. The RS18s on A1A trucks were soon traded back to CN for RS18s on AA trucks  due to traction problems. It wasn't long now before my fear and worries came to light. After only a few years of operation the CBNS began looking for replacements for all their MLW units, I was hoping they would purchase newer M420Ws. Eventually CBNS began to retire all of MLW units and slowly replaced them with GP50s, GP40s, a GP18, a GP7 and two chop nose GP7s. The first to go was the M636, then the RS18s (with the exception of one which is in and out or service) and finally the C630s were replaced by ex american GP50s. Infact all the new motive power are ex american. They could have alleast purchased ex CN Geeps...I don't know about you but I think Geeps look wierd without the headlight on the low nose and the bell above the cab. Aside from the fact that I hate the new motive power I still admire the work the CBNS is doing, their traffic is up from the CN days and continues to goes up, however this might all change soon with the upcoming closure and sale of Devco and Sysco, the CBNSs two largest customers. CBNS has also leased CN GP40-2L(W)s to help with there locomotive shortage.  I don't know if this symbolises tuff times or if they are just to busy or lazy to paint their geeps. Everyone of the new engines except the GP18 are in various colourfull paint schemes.
 
 

	A row of CBNS C630s and RS18s await their fate on the far side of the Sydney yard (a.k.a. the scrap track). Unfortunately some of these locomotives have already been scrapped, the remaining (some working, some for parts) locomotives are up for sale. Photo taken late 1999.
	Three CBNS C630s awaiting duties.  This photo was taken when the CBNS was only a few days old.
	The CBNS was only 2 days old when I shot one of its C630s (2029) idling infornt of the repair shops in  Sydney.
	C630 2035 along with two of it sisters (2029 was behind it and an unknown locomotive in the the lead). This picture and the the one of 2029 (just above this one) were taken on the same day.
	EX CN RS18 3716 pulling into the Sydney repair shop for servicing. Photo was taken in the late 1990s.
	Three (one on the turntable) EX Burlington Northern, EX IORY GP50s are now owned by the CBNS. Photo taken in October 1999. I had a very poor camera for this picture.
	Two chop nose GP7s in Sydney.  These units in my opinion are god aweful hideous.  I don't even think repainting them would help, I mean look at all the junk on the roof.  I wish I had a side view to post.....I have seen a chop nose Geep before but these two are just weird looking. Photo was taken in October 1999. This picture was also taken with a very poor camera.

One good thing about the CBNS new Geep power is that it is easy to model. A few stock Athearn GP50s and a Proto 2000 GP18 or GP7 pretty much represents the entire line. There are decals available for the CBNS from Microscale however the only Geep currently in CBNS paint is the GP18.