This goes back to my childhood in Toronto Canada around 1966 or 1967. My father and I were out following the CN line north out of Toronto to North Bay around the town of Richmond Hill 15 or 20 miles north of Toronto we came across a junkyard along the tracks and spotted a steam locomotive Im sure it was an 0-6-0 or 0-8-0 covered in a tarp. Both of us being curious tryed to look under the tarp to see the engine number at which point a nasty cranky old man came running out of a shack screaming at us to get the F out of here. We hightailed it out of there and I never did find out what this locomotive was Im sure it was CN as I recall a square Canadian National herald on the tender

I wonder why the tarp? Doesn't sound like a locomotive headed to the scrap heap. Would be interesting to know the story, if it had been earmarked for preservation and if it was indeed, eventually saved.

Les

Im pretty heavily into CN steam and this one remains a mystery for me

Well... After reviewing my CNR 0-8-0 Roster, I can tell you for sure that all but one CNR 0-8-0 had been cut up by the end of 1961 or so, and this unit would be CNR 8222, later renumbered to 8447. It was ordered by the GTR, but delivered to CNR, on account of the GTR being taken over by CN. After years of wondering what happened to it, I just googled the engine number and found this post on train orders.

http://www.trainweb.org/j.dimech/roster/080ros.html

It was retained in Montreal for whatever reason, but eventually scrapped in London, perhaps you encountered this engine on its way to London? Although the Bala sub through Richmond Hill does not seem like a logical route to London.

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/r ... 10,2537024

But because I'm tired, you can look through my 0-6-0 roster. Let me know if you see anything of interest, and I can dig a bit further.

http://www.trainweb.org/j.dimech/roster/060ros.html

It would be worth another trip out. Weirder things have happened. The tarp and "cranky old man" have me stumped, unless he was protect his property or someone else's.
Any idea of if you could re-locate the site?

The locomotive was CNR 91 a Mogul, the place was Langstaff, Ontario and the cranky old man was Chas. Matthews. It was later owned by the Ontario Government for a still-born transportation museum which I was involved with. Sold to Fred Steck of Reese, MI for his private Reese Central. Then to Middletown & Hummelstown where it is now and does not operate.

Thank you RL Kennedy so it was a 2-6-0 Im grateful for your help this locomotive has had me stooped for 45 plus years

If she's not currently operational she was within recent years. You need look no farther than this very site.

http://www.rypn.org/articles/single.php ... 014854.txt

Steve