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.

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Canadian National 3254
CN No. 3254 undergoing a maintenance check while pulling an excursion train in September 2011
Type and origin References:[1] Power type Steam Builder Canadian Locomotive Company Serial number 1463 Build date 1917 Rebuild date 1982–1985
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-8-2  • UIC 1′D1′ h2 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 63 in (1,600 mm) Adhesive weight 209,970 lb (95.2 tonnes) Loco weight 277,550 lb (125.9 tonnes) Tender weight 167,250 lb (75.9 tonnes) Total weight 444,800 lb (201.8 tonnes) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 12 long tons (12 t) Water cap. 7,500 imp gal (34,000 l; 9,000 US gal) Boiler pressure 180 lbf/in2 (1.24 MPa) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 27 in × 30 in (686 mm × 762 mm) Loco brake 26L
Performance figures Tractive effort 53,115 lbf (236.27 kN) Factor of adh. 3.95
Career Operators Canadian Government Railways, Canadian National Railway, Gettysburg Railroad, Steamtown National Historic Site Class S-1-b Numbers CGR 2854 CN 3254 GRR 3254 DLW 1271 Retired 1958 (revenue service) December 2, 2012 (excursion service) Preserved November 1961 Restored 1985 Current owner Steamtown National Historic Site Disposition On static display, based in Scranton, Pennsylvania

History

Revenue service

Canadian National 3254 was built in 1917 by the Canadian Locomotive Company for the Canadian Government Railways where it was originally numbered 2854.[1] In 1918, the Canadian Government Railways was merged with the Canadian Northern Railway to create the Canadian National Railway (CN). During a subsequent renumbering process within the locomotive fleet, No. 2854 was renumbered to 3254. The locomotive had considerable pulling power, could climb grades without incident, and was used to pull heavy freight trains.[1] No. 3254 had a mostly uneventful career, until July 24th, 1941, when the locomotive was involved in a head-on collision with Great Northern H-5 4-6-2 “Pacific” No. 1351 in Burnaby, British Columbia, killing the engineer and fireman of No. 3254. The locomotive was subsequently repaired and put back into service while No. 1351 was scrapped.^{[citation needed]} The locomotive continued to pull freight trains for CN, until its last major class 3 overhaul was completed in Allendale, Ontario, and it was retired from revenue service in 1958.[1]

Preservation

After being stored for three years, the locomotive was sold in November 1961 to motel owner Willis F. Barron, who moved it to Ashland, Pennsylvania, and he had intentions to run the locomotive on the Reading Company's abandoned branchline that served the town.[1] The rails in Ashland were ripped up before Barron's planned venture could begin operation, so he had No. 3254 disassembled, moved via truck, and reassembled at his Ashland Court Motel to be used as a static display.[1] During the 1970s, Barron lost interest in restoring No. 3254 to operating condition, so it was sold to the Adirondack Railroad in Lake Placid, New York, but it was never delivered there.

Gettysburg Railroad

In 1982, it was sold again to the Gettysburg Railroad, who disassembled it to be hauled by truck to Gettysburg.[1] It was subsequently reassembled and restored to operating condition in 1985, and then it began pulling excursion trains between Gettysburg and Mount Holly Springs. It also participated in that year's National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) convention alongside Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad 2-8-0 No. 38.[2] During its time at Gettysburg, however, the locomotive proved to be oversized and overpowered for the railroad's needs, so it only operated there for two years.[3]

Steamtown

Meanwhile, Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton needed a larger locomotive to meet the demand for greater motive power to pull their longer excursion trains. In August 1987, No. 3254 was moved to Steamtown after they traded Canadian Pacific 1278 and $100,000 for the locomotive.[1] The locomotive was repainted as Delaware, Lackawanna and Western (DLW) No. 1271, and it was put into service that same month.[1] After the National Park Service (NPS) acquired Steamtown, No. 3254 was reverted to its CN appearance. In 1995, the locomotive participated in the grand opening of Steamtown's main roundhouse alongside multiple other locomotives, including Canadian Pacific 2317, Baldwin Locomotive Works 26, Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad 425, Susquehanna SY 2-8-2 No. 142, and Milwaukee Road 261.[4]

Disposition

Steamtown also owns Canadian National 3377, which became a spare parts provider for the locomotive; the tender, which replaced the original tender in 2010 due to rust leaks. 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. It was taken out of service after the 2012 holiday season, and it was subsequently awaiting its 1,472 day inspection and rebuild. Steamtown later decided to officially retire it from excursion service indefinitely due to its poor condition. The early retirement is likely attributed due to its bent frame of its 1941 collision, it has frequently been described as a "rough rider," and had been chewing up bearings at an accelerated rate. It also consumed a staggering amount of coal compared to the amount consumed by Canadian Pacific 2317.[5] As of 2022, the engine still remains on static display, with no plans on returning to service anytime soon, due to its poor condition and bent frame. Boston and Maine 3713 will be replacing No. 3254 as Steamtown's main line excursion locomotive once restored to operation.[6][7] Additionally, its sister locomotive No. 3377 will be the next candidate restoration.[7]

Accidents and incidents

On July 24, 1941, the engine collided head on with Great Northern Railway 1351 at North Road cut near Burnaby, British Columbia.[5][8] 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.[5][8]

Gallery

• 
  No. 3254 inside the Steamtown roundhouse in 2008.
• 
  No. 3254 at Steamtown National Historic Site in June 2011.
• 
  No. 3254 with a excursion train at Steamtown.
• 
  No. 3254 hauling an excursion train in September 2011.
• 
  No. 3254 when it slowed to a stop in Moscow, Pennsylvania on Labor Day weekend, 2011.
• 
  No. 3254 at the Steamtown yard.

See also

• Grand Trunk Western 4070
• Nickel Plate Road 587
• Grand Canyon Railway 4960
• Southern Railway 4501
• Soo Line 1003

References