Hi, I am trying to find out more information on a headlight from a CN steam locomotive. My father picked it up from CN (we still have the paperwork from CN) and it really doesn’t fit in with what I’m doing. My questions are:
Do we have all the parts? Any ideas what it’s worth? Is anyone looking specifically for this headlight assembly for a restoration? If I was to sell it, where should I list it? Is eBay the right place to market it? I’d like to post a photo but the site says it’s invalid and it’s an iPhone photo.

Thanks in advance.

Does the paperwork say which engine it came from?

6151

It has the number boards and plate.

6151 was a Northern. Probably the most common mainline class of locomotive CN had.

A picture which kinda shows the headlight on 6151 may be found at http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5235422 .

This picture shows number boards mounted near the smokebox door-ring top, below the feedwater heater component, while the headlamp appears to be separately mounted from a bracket near the center of the smokebox door.

A couple of pictures of what may be a comparable headlight/number board arrangement may be found in a picture of CN 6109 at http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5235350 and in a picture (without number boards) of CN 6015 http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=305764.

Perhaps you can confirm that the parts you have match what is shown here, and can then figure out how best to restore the headlight.

- Bob Milhaupt

6015 is a 4-8-2. A Mountain locomotive.

There are five CNR Northern's in preservation, or varying states thereof; 6153, 6167, 6200, 6213, 6218. Sadly, none of them are slated for restoration, however each is within reach of restoration should a miracle happen.

Dick -

Doesn't a CNR streamlined Northern also exist?

Les

Hi
I believe the CNR Northern you are referring to is the one at the National Museum of Science. see attached.
photo is off internet website Old Time Trains .

Pat is correct. I have been all over 6400, and she's in exceptional condition, but in a location from which there is no return. This elegant creature is the only survivor of a series which ran both on CNR and GTW. Thank you for tripping my mind!

When you say "none of them are slated for restoration" I assume you mean to operation? A couple of those are or are being cosmetically restored.

Well it can be removed from the hall. There were other locomotives on display in there at one time that are now elsewhere. CNR 5700 (nee 5703) and CPR 1201 come to mind. 1201 is just the other side of the parking lot now.
The CNR and GTW versions of the streamline Northerns were similar, but not exactly the same. The CNR 6400's were built by MLW and the GTW 6400's were built by Lima, which surprised me where I first found that out.

When were you last in Ottawa? I believe the new building has closed off the garage style doors behind the four big locomotives. The storage center was supposed to be emptied into the new building, bringing in the CPR C-Liner for restoration and display. CPR 1201 is not given up on for operation, but requires some frame adjustments, and of course, a place to run it.
Of the other Northerns, it's true 6167 and 6218 have been given cosmetic overhauls, but they really require a covered shelter and fences. 6213 is the one people propose for operational restoration, but I don't know enough about its current mechanical status. 6153 is in the Exporail collection and probably easiest to access, but I believe she's considered a national treasure and won't be renovated. 6200 in on a plinth outside the Museum of Science and Technology, easy to access but requiring major land moving.
Exterior-wise, all look restorable, even 6218, which suffer terrible rusting up front.
6167 was just moved at a ridiculous expense, so I doubt we'll ever see her run again.

The headlight - which began this thread - would probably go for upward of $1,000 these days. There are plenty around, but they are finding permanent second generation homes.

The new building has garage style doors. The older main building where the display locomotives are doesn't have garage style doors. They removed the brick, then rebricked it. I have photos of them removing 5700.

It was.

And a way to get it off the property. They no longer have a connection to the outside world.