While reading through the Classic Trains special on Northern type engines, the mention of the Canadian Pacific K1a class got me thinking. Consider this: The engines were experimental for the Canadian Pacific. The power that the two engines of the class posessed would have enabled replacement of the hudsons on more strenuous duties, yet only two were built. Considering they worked trains 21 and 22, overnight operations between Montreal and Toronto. But both examples, 3100 and 3101 survive; 3100 at the National Museum of Science and Technology in Ottowa, and 3101 on display at ISPCO in Regina. I guess my question boils down to this; how could an entire class (although only two strong, and experimental) manage to escape the torch? I know 3101 was meant to be scrapped, but IPSCO decided to display it instead, but what's the story with 3100?
Anyway, I found some pages with info about the engines in question that may be of interest:
http://steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive ... splay=1972
http://steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive ... splay=1912
http://www.railarchive.net/randomsteam/cpr3100b.htm

The curator at the Museum of Science and Technology was a steam guy. At the time these locomotives were being condemned, he used his office to make close ties with both CNR and CPR officials. He tried to secure the first locomotive in each class that he wanted to add to the collection, thus the Museum has 4-8-4 3100, a CNR Northern #6200, . He wanted CNR 4-6-4 #5100, but it was already being butchered when it was called for, so #5103 took its place in disguise.
Seriously, anyone going to Canada and can arange to hit this museum in Ottawa, should do so. Make arrangements beforehand, and see one of the last two FM C-Liners in the storage shed, along with numerous other locomotive treasures in the warehouse out back.

Only catch is, they don't allow photography in the storage shed. They have all kinds of neat engines. CPR 1201, CNR 247 (0-6-0t) and #40 (a Grand Trunk 4-4-0)

Joe, I had permission to take pictures of the C-Liner. Still, rules may have changed. The additional parts of CNR 6200, displayed outdoors, are also stored in the warehouse.

I tried to arrange a visit last summer, but at the last minute was informed of this policy and cancelled the trip. Ever notice how few current photos their are of these engines out there?

Does anyone by chance have photos of these engines?

5700 and 5703.

I stand corrected.

Yes, a remarkable 100% of CP's K1a class have been preserved. I am sure there are some one-member classes that have been preserved in entirety, but are there any other steam classes or (subclasses) with more than one member that have a 100% rate of survival?

You linked to the photo of 3100 on my Random Steam Collection site. There's another photo there also, taken from the other side (click "Prev Page").

Here's the pic that Richard is talking about:
http://www.railarchive.net/randomsteam/cpr3100.htm
Looks like it was taken shortly after 3100 was built? I don't believe the smoke deflectors on either 3100 or 3101 survived long. When exactly were they removed?

I came across this old film on YouTube a few months ago of 3101 being built at the CPR Angus shops in Montreal in 1928.

http://youtu.be/NcbTXlMSCwk

I recall a story about these engines in TRAINS in the 1980s.

Re: 100 percent class preservation, I recall that Seashore Trolley Museum owns two Birneys from Denver & South Platte, representing the entire fleet of that company.

Wesley

Amazing film! And hardly any goggles or hard hats or goggles, with all that molten and solid steel being tossed around! Those Angus shopmen were an intrepid breed.

As built, as shown in the film, 3101 didn't have the deflectors. My source for the photo of 3100 with deflectors is unidentified, but the person who gave me the photo to use got most of his images from a Toronto railfan who photographed mostly in the 1940s or early 1950s. It seems I recently saw a photo of one of CP's non-streamlined Hudsons being tested with deflectors, but can't remember where I saw it (was it linked from RyPN somewhere?). Maybe CP tried deflectors on the 4-8-4s at the same time. If I locate that Hudson photo it might be a clue as to when deflectors were applied to the Ks as well.

As to the K1a being the "most powerful locomotive in the British Empire," that may have applied to horsepower. The claim of "greater tractive force rating than any other locomotive in the British Empire" (80,000 pounds) was made for the Canadian National's T-2-a class of 2-10-2s in a Railroad Magazine roster published in 1937.

Richard -

One that I can think of MIGHT be the Lake Superior & Ishpeming SC-4 class Consolidation's. I think these 2-8-0's were numbered 18-24 and perhaps all 7 might still be around, although I am not 100% certain of that. Does anyone know for sure?

Les

A quick look at Steamlocomotive.info confirms that #18-24 are all preserved.

Add to this the EBT 2-8-2s #12-18.

Wesley

You might be correct about that, according to Wes Barris:
http://www.steamlocomotive.com/lists/se ... ountry=USA