The Northern type locomotives are larger and required more steel to make and during World War II a smaller more adaptable engine for general uses were needed.

[1][page needed] In February 1945, a month after its first run, 6077 was involved in a fatal wreck.

Approaching Brantford, Ontario, 6077 was attached to a pilot engine when, sensing that the pilot locomotive engineer did not apply the brakes for a sharp bend up ahead, hit the emergency brakes.

This caused all the wheels to lock up and skid which made the train much more rigid than if it had been rolling.

This was done to get 6077 ready for its work in western Canada where it spent the last years of its life.