South Simcoe Railway in Tottenham, Ontario is currently scrapping some equipment. As this is written ex CPR diesel hydraulic 17 is being cut up. A rusty hulk, it was acquired to be a parts supply for sister 22.

Although SSR's members have been told nothing of this, it appears that at least one and likely more of the ex CPR 1920s-era heavyweight clerestory-roofed coaches are to be cut up as well as some spare six-wheeled trucks. Also on the chopping block is an ex CN/VIA steam generator car.

The coaches are in bad shape, but it is probable that the basic structure is OK as is the running gear. It would take a complete Strasburg-style restoration to make them useable but they could be turned into ideal tourist cars and they look right in a branchline steam operation.

All equipment is landlocked, a good 10 miles from an active railhead.

There may not be any hope of acquiring anything as apparently an offer for the steam generator untit has already been rejected out of hand by operations manager Eric Smith. But, if you're looking for this type of equipment, a fast offer might bring results.

South Simcoe Railway can be reached at 905-936-5815.

Do you recall the Heavyweights Coaches having friction bearing boxes or Converted to NFL bearings with use of the conversion boxes?

I know it's hard to save everything but Heavyweight parts are getting harder and harder to find, which is why we see more lightweight cars out there these days and few and fewer Heavyweight cars. If these cars can not be saved as a whole, as much of the trucks and running gear should be...but by whom and where? I'd love to have a couple of extra sets of 3 axle trucks setting around there are always land locked or museum passenger cars that don't need to be setting on outside swing hanger trucks or rollers (if those were upgraded) and having historically correct friction bearing trucks to swap out turns into where are they at when you need them. Well here we have a bunch of Truck sets and they should be saved if that’s all that can be saved.

The trucks are a mixtufre of solid bearing and roller bearing. I believe the majority are roller bearing.

As of 1430 today (19 Jan.) work started on the first of the coaches. Three hours later, most of the roof was gone. It'll take some time to get down to the trucks -- not likely to happen before the weekend. Still time to make a deal.