WATERLOO, Ontario — The Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society, operator of the Waterloo Central Railway heritage operation, is seeking funds to support its effort to purchase former Canadian Pacific Railway No. 1238, a G5c class 4-6-2 locomotive.
The locomotive, built in 1946 by the Montreal Locomotive Works, operated in excursion and tourist rail service in the U.S. from the 1960s to the 1990s, then brought back to Canada by a private owner. It is currently stored at the Prairie Dog Central Railway in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and the society has signed a purchase agreement with Vintage Locomotive Society, operator of that railroad. The society is now embarking on a campaign to raise C$150,000 by Christmas. This will satisfy initial terms of the agreement and secure the rest of the deal, according to Bob Fallowfield, general manager of the Waterloo Central.
The locomotive is said to be good condition, and “although in need of some time and money to put it back in service, it is well within our experience and expertise to return it to steam,” Fallowfield writes. The Waterloo Central says that, once restored, the locomotive would be the second largest operating steam locomotive in Canada.
Donations, eligible for a charitable tax receipt, are being accepted via a link at the Waterloo Central website, or by check to SOLRS, 50 Isabella Street, PO Box 546, St. Jacobs, ON, N0B 2N0. Checks should be marked “For 1238 Fund.”
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