Railway Heritage Day St. Thomas Ontario

spitfire

Active Member
Hi folks! Long time no see. I wanted to share some photos with you of my afternoon at the Elgin County Museum's Railway Heritage Day, so c'mon along!

It's a beautiful summer day, and as we cross the parking lot, we see a promising belch of coal black smoke.

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Let's get a little closer to this beast.

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Something about those old steamers just gets to me. Check out the guy with the oil can!

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Here we are inside the main building. The back section was cordoned off - of course that's the part I most want to see.

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Massive overhead crane in there. I wish I had thought of asking if it was operational.

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There were some vendors set up too, with the usual stuff for sale. Here's something a little different though - big wooden engines for display. Check out the cab roof on the middle one!

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And here's one for Mikey!! Nice G-scale toys!!
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Let's head back outside and see what else they have. Here's an old cupola caboose, built in 1898, and recently restored.

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A shot of the interior. Each engine or car had a volunteer to explain and answer questions. They were without exception friendly and full of interesting information.

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Some TH&B boxcars awaiting restoration.

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There was also an RPO that doubles as part of the museum. Too dark to get any good shots in there, so on to the centerpiece of the collection: CN5700, one of only 5 Hudsons that CN ever had, and one of 2 that still exists.

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Yikes - so analog! (and complicated)

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In the cab were a couple of retired engineers, old buddies from way back and volunteers at the museum. I introduced myself by telling them that I have a model of that exact engine, but it's numbered CN5703.

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That led to a conversation about how 5703 got re-numbered as 5700 - and scared off all the other people in the cab - which gave me a chance to sit in the "driver's seat". Sorry for how dark the photo is - that's the view from the engineer's seat.

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For all you train nerds, here's the story how 5703 got re-numbered. Originally when CN sent its fleet of Hudsons (all 5 of them) to the scrapyard, they planned to save No. 5700. But by the time the order came down, she was already being cut up. So, they grabbed 5703 out of the line and re-numbered her 5700.

One of the guys showed me that how the original number could still be found on some of the drive rods.

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Finally a parting shot of this awesome locomotive.
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Hope you enjoyed the tour!!
 

Triplex

Active Member
I was surprised, too. But then, my (limited) study of Colorado narrow gauge has shown that late 19th century equipment looks like what i thought was early 20th century equipment.

And is that "the Susan Push" next to it?
 

MasonJar

It's not rocket surgery
Hi Val,

Nice to see you back - and thanks for bringing presents! ;)

Great photos! There is definitely something about steam (living steam that is) that speaks to a lot of people. I like that oil can. If CPR 2816 is anything to judge by, the other piece of essential equipment is a large coffe can - preferably from Tim Horton's...! :D

Andrew
 

galt904

Member
No pics of 8921? That was my favourite of the day. Unfortunately, one of my girls was one of the guilty culprits leaving dirty footprints on the caboose mattress. :(

Thanks for sharing.
 

bigsteel

Call me Mr.Tinkertrain
very cool pics! the raw power of steam is what does it for me! that Hudson was VERY slick! along with your accompanying model! great pics :mrgreen: --josh
 

spitfire

Active Member
Thanks guys - glad you enjoyed it.

Chad - are you referring to the big red diesel by any chance?

Val
 

w8jy

Member
Thanks for posting those great pictures, Val. That Hudson is sure one beautiful locomotive. They sure did a great restoration job on that old beauty!
 

RobertInOntario

Active Member
That's a great tour, Val -- thanks!! I used to live near St. Thomas (or, more accurately, my parents did in the '80s & '90s.

My family and I visited this area about 3 years ago. Then I learned that the museum and railway had run into some problems but it looks as if they're up and running again.

I'm fascinated by this museum and heritage railway and hope to get back there soon.

Cheers,
Rob
 
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