Last week saw the first works session of the year on CNR 6167 in Guelph, Ontario. The project was stalled last year when a fence was installed roughly six INCHES away from the left side of the engine last year which made it virtually impossible to work on the locomotive. As the (City of Guelph owned) locomotive sits on land that is owned by the CNR, in turn leased to the Goderich and Exeter Railway, and simultaneously being developed by GO Transit for the expansion of GO train service to Guelph (again), there are quite a few people who have a say in this project, and one of them decided to erect said fence etc...

However after months and months of discussion (and I believe the intervention of a federal member of parliament), the fence was temporarily removed to allow work on the locomotive to continue. This first work session on April 16 saw many of the 6167's parts which have been on site get moved around in preparation for mounting them back on the locomotive.

http://www.trainweb.org/j.dimech/journal/120416.html

Glad to hear that all the bits and pieces are to repatriated back on to her. Can't wait to see her next month when I'm down there.

Terry

I saw her last October, and this is one of those "Oh, wow!" restorations. The sheet metal jacketing is being cut correctly and replaced, the gap between jacket and boiler are cedar strips, the cab is sealed, the parts are secure, the locomotive has been thoroughly cleaned. etc.

A grand case for 6167 & 6213 double-headers! Well, someday...maybe....

There has been a fine number of restorations ongoing in Canada, for which thanks and deserved back pats are offered.

There was another works session yesterday. Progress is being made with the boiler jacket, as well as rethreading the bolts and studs that hold the pumps, air tanks etc in place. I'm told that the pumps should be mounted on the engine in the next month or so

The pumps, air tanks etc, were mounted back on the locomotive this week. It als received some paint on the tender.

http://www.trainweb.org/j.dimech/journal/120515.html

Good to see progress again on her.

I have two questions:

Is there any possibility of it seeing live steam again someday?

Lastly, is there a plan in place to keep up on her after this cosmetic restoration is finished so the engine doesn't fall into disrepair?

Looking good. Great work!

This question of operating her in the future is asked often, particularly whenever a new posting of the restoration comes along. I visited the locomotive, and while I wouldn't bet money on her running in my lifetime, the cleaning, greasing, rust removal, and repainting done with 6167 is first class work. In my view, and I'm only a spectator, not an engineer, what these people have done makes her a good candidate for operational review. Most people offer Toronto's 6213 as the likely candidate, and it's true, she's in spectacular condition, but getting her to live rail would be a tricky move. Not impossible, but tricky.
6200, in Ottawa, is less likely still, as she's perched in an elevated park area. If 6218 sees any restoration, it'll be to re-fabricate metal lost to corrosion. Her condition is extremely poor.

Well its the same old dilemma of finding money and a place to run that applies to every steam locomotive out there. Also, based on the futility of trying to keep "dead" steam from collapsing into a pile of rust, I don't even want to think about trying to take care of live steam...

Not quite sure, but its possible that 6167 might be looking more and more like a steam engine...

http://www.trainweb.org/j.dimech/journal/120530.html

New Decals

This is a just I am curious question, but what was your rational behind the round 1954 herald instead of the square tilted herald?

Steve

Because the Square Herald would not be authentic to her current (pre restoration) appearance which was that of a 1964 engine. She received the Maple Leaf Decal in 1955, and back dating her to any appearance pre 1959 would be beyond our means at the present time so we are going to try and make her look as she did in 1959 (I personally would love to see her looking as she did in either 1956, or 1940...).

Besides, 6213 has a Square Herald, so we are changing it up a bit...

Wow! She's looking wonderful. I especially like the maple leaf logo! Please keepthe finished loco under lights and secured behind a fence!

I finally got around to writing an update on 6167 for my website. Due to this past summer's extreme heat and rain, plus scheduling conflicts, very little has happened since my last update. However, we did manage to coordinate a work session in October and the last one for the year in November.

As for interpretation part of the project, I have added six spectacular photos of 6167's July 6, 1943 wreck to the site. The one photo of the 30 foot tall heap of coal hoppers I think says it all. I've also added over 20 photos of 6167 in excursion service, some of which are pretty spectacular, including several taken by James A. Brown. Click here for details.