A group of local volunteers hopes to breathe new life into an old train engine donated to the city nearly 60 years ago.
The small group, led by train enthusiasts William Love and Bill Ferguson, is hosting a public meeting at Discovery North Bay museum on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. to discuss the possible restoration and operation of the old Ontario Northland Railway Engine 503 as an historic tourist train.
“The first step we are taking is to have a community meeting,” says Ferguson, noting the group is looking for others who may be interested in working on the project.
He says volunteers would be needed to help out with the restoration work, as well as organizing and fundraising.
Ferguson says the group is starting from scratch without any financial backing. And, he says, the restoration project would be a not-for-profit initiative that’s likely to be a lengthy endeavour.
“It hasn’t been fired since 1960 when it was given to the city by Ontario Northland,” Ferguson says, noting the steam engine will have to be professionally assessed to see if restoration is even feasible.
Ferguson says it was kept at Lee Park for some time before being moved to its current location near the Canor Sand Centre at Wyld Street a number of years ago.
Interesting! Best of luck to them!
Beautiful machine!
I wish them success! [:D]
Better view…it’s a 2-8-0
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Wish you lots of luck with this. First time I saw and photographed this engijne she was inside a fence in Lee Park. Park employee was kind enough to open the gate so I could get a better picture – Northern Hospitality! Last time I was in North Bay she was not looking quite as healthy.
The elephant ears and partial shrouding under the smokebox detract from the appearance of what is basically a branchline locomotive.
good luck to them, nice looking engine and hope they can do it ok
The outside-bearing lead truck gives it a ”Berkie” kind of heft. And the smoke lifters connote “fast freight”. That is a well-turned-out Consolidation.