There was a story on the board last year, concerning CPR's search for one of the two 4-8-4's 3100 or 3101, both of which survived as display articles. Allegedly, CPR was considering one of these to augment the 2916. With a number of nice Canadian steam preservation projects being undertaken this year, I was wondering if anything more has come of this rumor?

I know the CPR inspected 3101 in Regina, but I don't know if it went any further than that or even how long ago it was.

What other Canadian steam projects this year are you referring to? I am unaware of any new projects. Everything I know of has been on going.

Perhaps "ongoing" would have been the better terminology. There is the 4-6-4T in Quebec, 6167, and 6069. There may be others as well. This was my reference.

Richard,

6213 may be an item soon. The John Street Roundhouse project is well underway, and once the 3 bays of the 30+ stall roundhouse are ready for the museum to occupy, 6213 will be moved in.

The idea is to restore her to operating condition and do excursions. Ironically, they have the money, but not neccesarily a place to run her or a train to pull.

Joe

Sorry, I thought you were referring to operating steam projects, not cosmetic.

I can't figure this one out at all. If the intent of 6213 was to remain a static display, fine. The John Street roundhouse is the perfect spot. But if the idea is to return it to operating condition, John Street makes no sense because there is no longer any rail access to it and it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to put rail back. The Rogers Centre (ex-SkyDome) is next door in one direction and there is a underground parking garage in the other direction which I understand was not reinforced to support something the size and weight of a locomotive. It would have to be trucked in and out every time.

Wouldn't it make more sense to use another facility with rail access? The almost empty VIA Rail Mimico shops for example would be perfect.

I don't make this stuff up. That is the plan. Right now there is a slim chance that a link to the mainline could be built as there is a gap between the CN Tower and the walkway from Union Station.

The parking lot underneath the roundhouse was very heavily reinforced for just that purpose. If you go to the TRHA website, you can find a photo of said reinforcment.

www.thra.ca

Joe

I know you didn't make it up Joe. I heard about this long ago.

I know about the TRHA's website and I know about the reinforcement, but that is only under the turntable pit. I don't believe the rest of the parking garage can support a lead track.

6213 may one day be moved to the CPR John Street roundhouse but it is very unlikely to be restored to operating condition. There is just no economic case to be made to spend the hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions to restore it and have no where to run it. CN will not allow it on their tracks period. CP would be a long shot. It would never pay for itself.

As far as the connecting of the roundhouse to live tracks is concerned, this will never, ever happen. It would cost millions to do and as I mentioned, CN won't allow the operation on its tracks anyway.

Nothwithstanding the isolation problem, the TRHA will have a nice little museum there once everything is put together.

Jason

Not as nice as it should be. They will only have three bays. The rest of the roundhouse will be Steam Whistle Brewery, which has already been there for years, and a Leon's Furniture store, which has yet to move in.

Well according to the TRHA website:

"Unlike other outdoor display locomotives that have been allowed to deteriorate in the elements, No. 6213 has been lovingly maintained by a small group of dedicated volunteer preservationists who form the Toronto Locomotive Preservation Society (TLPS) . TLPS is one of many groups affiliated with the Toronto Railway Historical Association and we believe that No. 6213 is a fine candidate for restoration to full operation."

Being in on the TLPS myself, this is the sentiment I get from the boss. Originally the word was that 6213 would have to moved this spring, but that got postponed. Of course when the time comes, we'll have to prep her for her move. The cab needs to be taken apart to remove the asbestos on the backhead which wasn't removed back in the 80's, and getting the bearings of the wheels ready too.

And I believe the funds to restore 6213 to operating condition are in the budget.

As for the link, I'm well aware of how difficult CN can be. It's just an idea that was mentioned to me, as opposed to the cost of trucking everything in and out of the roundhouse, especially if 6213 is restored to operating condition and can find a place to run.

Joe