Recent Article in TrueNorth...

http://truenorthperspective.com/Dec_09/Dec_18/6069.html



The big steam engine that survives and shines
thanks to care of dedicated volunteers in Sarnia
CNR Locomotive 6069 Project

By Peter Whitfield
Special to True North Perspective




The Bayview Rail museum was formed approximately 1963 with the acquisition of 6069.

SARNIA, Ontario, Canada � The majestic CNR Locomotive 6069 in Centennial Park in Sarnia has been a local landmark for many years. Retired in 1959, she awaited her fate on a siding in Stratford Ontario. Fortunately she would not end up as scrap iron, instead she was purchased by three local gentlemen and she was brought to Sarnia for display at Bay view Park.

The Bay view Railway Museum was formed and over the years the collection grew to include two cabooses and other memorabilia. Sadly plans were being set in place to build a new major highway called the 402 and Old 6069 was right in the middle. Another site had to be found and a second move of the Locomotive was accomplished.

Unfortunately the second move used all the Museum's resources and the Museum sadly closed. Fortunately the St Claire parkway was willing to give the Locomotive a permanent home and she remains on site just off of Front Street in Centennial Park.

Time and weather began to take its toll and something had to be done.

A small group of volunteers discussed plans for the Locomotive with the city and offered to volunteer their time to inspect and assess the overall condition of the Locomotive. An inspection was carried out along with two very talented Steam engineers and a report was drafted up as to what would be required and priority of the work to be done. During the past twelve months, work has been underway to stabilize the Locomotive whilst also starting restoration efforts.

Currently work is underway to clean, repair and restore the cab interior. The short term goal is to undertake stabilization and repair of the Locomotive with the end result being a complete repaint for static display. Her future is looking much brighter while she is receiving some much needed care and attention by a very dedicated group of volunteers.

We are looking for any old pictures or information or history of 6069 to add to the collection. If you have anything that maybe of interest please contact the group at the email address engine6069@sympatico.ca

Any celebrity is good celebrity. Articles like this one often bring out artifacts, pictures, stories, films, and occasionally, checks (cheques). I'd much rather see her placed in a setting where she will be operated once more, but in a pinch, cosmetic restoration works. Get a tall, barbed wire fence around her, and put her under lights all night.

Hello Richard,
Thank you for the comments. Just to update you, she is lit up with floodlights at night and we are working on getting the Locomotive lights operating once more.