Canadian National 3254

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Canadian National 3254
Steamtown NHS-27527-6.jpg
CN No. 3254 at Steamtown National Historic Site in June 2011
Type and origin
References:[1][2][3]
Power typeSteam
BuilderCanadian Locomotive Company
Serial number1463
Build date1917
Rebuild date1982–1983
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-8-2
 • UIC1′D1′ h2
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver dia.63 in (1,600 mm)
Adhesive weight209,970 lb (95.2 tonnes)
Loco weight277,550 lb (125.9 tonnes)
Tender weight167,250 lb (75.9 tonnes)
Total weight444,800 lb (201.8 tonnes)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity12 long tons (12 t)
Water cap7,500 imp gal (34,000 l; 9,000 US gal)
Boiler pressure180 lbf/in2 (1.24 MPa)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size27 in × 30 in (686 mm × 762 mm)
Loco brake26L
Performance figures
Tractive effort53,115 lbf (236.27 kN)
Factor of adh.3.95
Career
OperatorsCanadian Government Railways,
Canadian National Railway,
Gettysburg Railroad,
Steamtown National Historic Site
ClassS-1-b
Numbers
  • CGR 2854
  • CN 3254
  • GRR 3254
  • DLW 1271
Retired1958
Preserved1961
Restored1983 (Gettysburg Railroad)
August 1987 (Steamtown National Historic Site)
Current ownerSteamtown National Historic Site
DispositionOut of service, awaiting 1,472-day inspection and possible future rebuild, based in Scranton, Pennsylvania

Canadian National 3254 is a class "S-1-b" 2-8-2 "Mikado" type steam locomotive built by the Canadian Locomotive Company for the Canadian National Railway as the fifth member of the Canadian National class S-1-b.

History[]

Canadian National 3254 was built in 1917 by the Canadian Locomotive Company for the Canadian Government Railways where it was numbered 2854.[1][2] In 1918, the Canadian Government Railways combined with the Canadian Northern Railway formed the Canadian National Railways. The engine had considerable pulling power, could climb grades with ease, and was used to handle very heavy freight trains.[2][3] The engine continued service until it's last major class 3 overhaul was completed in Allendale, Ontario and was retired from revenue service in 1958.[2][3]

After being stored for three years, the locomotive was sold in 1961 to motel owner Willis F. Barron who moved it to Ashland, Pennsylvania and intended to run the locomotive on the Reading Company's branchline that served the town.[2][3] The tracks into Ashland were pulled up before Barron's planned venture could begin operation, so he had the locomotive disassembled, moved via truck and reassembled at his motel to be used as a static display.[4][5]

In 1982, it was sold to the Gettysburg Railroad, were it was restored to operating condition for use to pull excursion trains between Gettysburg and Mount Holly Springs.[2][3] However, the locomotive proved to be oversized and overpowered for the railroad's needs. In the summer of 1987, the engine arrived at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton after they traded Canadian Pacific Railway No. 1278 and $100,000 for the locomotive.[2][3][2] The locomotive was masqueraded as Lackawanna 1271 and was put into service in late August 1987, hauling passenger excursion trains that year.[3][2] In 1995, the locomotive participated in the grand opening of Steamtown’s main roundhouse alongside multiple other locomotives, including Canadian Pacific 2317, Baldwin 0-6-0 Baldwin Locomotive Works 26, Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad 425, Susquehanna SY 2-8-2 No. 142, and Milwaukee Road 261. Steamtown also owns Canadian National 3377, it became a spare parts provider for the locomotive, including the tender, which replaced the original tender in 2010 due to rust leaks.[6]

As a result of issues with either the boiler/firebox or the frame, combined with other needed maintenance which made further operation impractical, the locomotive made its last run on December 2, 2012 and was taken out of service indefinitely after the holiday season, were it was awaiting its 1,472 day inspection and possible future rebuild.[7]

It is currently unknown whenever or not the engine will return to steam, due to its bent frame of its 1941 collision.[2] Boston and Maine 3713 will be replacing the engine as Steamtown's main line excursion locomotive for now.[2][8]

Accidents and incidents[]

On July 24, 1941, the engine collided head on with Great Northern 1351 at North Road cut.[9][10] The accident caused the engine's frame horns to be bent with the frame itself also being bowed to one side, causing the cab to sit off-centered. Despite being badly damaged with a bent frame after the accident, CN loosely repaired the locomotive, and it continued service.[9][10]

Gallery[]

Other preserved 2-8-2s[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Chappell, Gordon S (1991). Steam Over Scranton: The Locomotives of Steamtown. Special history study. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. p. 244.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Steamtown National Historic Site - Canadian National 3254 (U.S. National Park Service)". Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Steamtown NHS: Special History Study". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
  4. ^ http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/steamtown/shs3b.htm
  5. ^ "CN 2-8-2 #3254 - Canadian National". www.rrpicturearchives.net. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  6. ^ "Canadian National 2-8-2s". Retrieved 2010-07-27.
  7. ^ "Steamtown's Operating Locomotives - Steamtown National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)".
  8. ^ "Project3713 – Restoring "America's Locomotive"". Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  9. ^ a b "Search Results - 5 records | Heritage Burnaby". search.heritageburnaby.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  10. ^ a b "Wrecked Great Northern Railway Engine No. 1351 laying on a flat car in Sapperton - City of Vancouver Archives". searcharchives.vancouver.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
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