Locomotives – Railway Museum of British Columbia

Canadian Pacific Railway Royal Hudson 2860

Gordon — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 20:14:32 +0000

The Crown Jewel of our collection, 2860 is one of 65 Hudson type 4-6-4 steam locomotives built for the CPR by Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW). This engine was finished in June, 1940. See this magnificent locomotive inside the CN Roundhouse. Climb into the cab, ring the bell!

This series of engines was numbered 2800 to 2864, and the first was delivered in 1929. Starting with No. 2820, the Hudsons got the streamlining treatments so popular in the 1930’s. No. 2850 (now at Exporail near Montreal) was assigned to haul the Royal Train during the visit to Canada by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939. The locomotive performed flawlessly and impressed the King greatly. The CPR received permission to designate the streamlined Hudsons “Royal” and eventually each locomotive was equipped with a crown fastened to their running boards.

The engine and loaded tender weigh 293,770 kgs (648,000 lbs) and has a tractive effort of 19,2004 kgs (42,250 lbs). It is capable of speeds of 144 kph (90 mph). The locomotive and tender have a total length of 27.27 m (90’ 10”), and is 4.7 m (15’ 10”) high. The tender has a capacity of 54,600 litres (12,000 gallons) of water and 18,614 litres (4,1000 gallons) of fuel oil.

Five CPR Hudsons were saved, Nos. 2816, 2839, 2850, 2858 and 2860. Our No. 2860 was restored for a proposed Railway Museum in Vancouver. In 1974, the Province of British Columbia bought the locomotive for an excursion train. The Royal Hudson ran on BC Rail track from North Vancouver to Squamish. In 2000, the province leased the engine to the district of Squamish for display and restoration at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park.

Pacific Great Eastern RS-3 Diesel 561

Gordon — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 04:33:57 +0000

Pacific Great Eastern 561 was built in 1951 by Montreal Locomotive Works. Putting out 1600 hp, the RS-3 is a freight workhorse, and is frequently seen in service at the park, switching trains in and out of the round house and turntable.

Canadian National FP9A Diesel 6520

Gordon — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 04:32:19 +0000

Recently repainted in the bold and striking 1961 CN scheme that it would wear for most of its career in passenger service, the Canadian National 6520 FP9A Diesel was revealed to the public in Squamish in November 2019, after several years of restoration and upgrades. Geared for a top speed of 89mph, CN 6520 was used to pull the finest regional and transcontinental trains of its time. It finished its career painted in VIA colours until it served again in CN Green and Gold in Ontario at the Waterloo & St. Jacobs Railway. It runs very well and will be one of our prime pieces of motive power for Dinner Trains and other special events.

Canadian Pacific 6503 S3 Switcher

Gordon — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 04:30:14 +0000

Our Canadian Pacific 6503 S3 Switcher was one of the first bought by Canadian Pacific to test the value of the 660 hp non-turbocharged switcher. No. 6503 was originally assigned to Winnipeg and proved to be sturdy and reliable. The engine has been modified with a buffer plate on the ends, over the coupler, in order to handle passenger cars. This locomotive served the CPR in various locations across Canada until 1983. The unit then sold to United Grain Growers terminals in Vancouver, switching grain cars until it was retired in 1987 and acquired by the WCRA.

Canadian Pacific FP7A Diesel 4069

Gordon — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 04:28:40 +0000

Our Canadian Pacific FP7A passenger locomotive 4069 was built by General Motors in London Ontario in 1952. Painted in classic CP maroon and gray, it’s used to head up our vintage CP passenger cars.

Pacific Great Eastern 2-6-2ST

Gordon — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 19:04:26 +0000

Built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA., in February 1910, the Pacific Great Eastern 2-6-2ST locomotive is a ‘Prairie’ type weighing over 90 tons in working trim and delivering about 22,000 lbs of tractive effort with a boiler pressure of 185 lbs. The cylinders are 16” x 24” and the engine is equipped with Stephenson valve gear.