In 2023, the Parsons Vale did something they had not done for over 30 years; they ordered a batch of motors from a place that was not the Portland Shops or ILW; the Brookville class P switching motors.

These motors are based on the low-tension AC units Brookville had built for the Compagnie Minière IOC a few years back. The head office wanted to experiment with remote control units in some of the busier yards on the system, and wanted a proven unit to test with, and Brookville had the proven unit and experience with non-diesel power.

They were more expensive than similar units from the Portland Shops, but the intent is that if they prove to be a satisfactury way of doing yardwork then followup orders will be done by Portland.

The order was delivered in 2024, but by 2025 5 of them had moved to western Ontario for service on the Algoma Southern’s rebuilt Wawa branch, working iron ore & pellet trains from the recently reopened pits around Wawa to the new crusher in Wawa, then to the mainline at Hawk Junction (where diesels take them south and east to a variety of mills.)

The other three are now operating on the Saint John Terminal Railway in St. John, NB.