Canadian National No. 5288 is a J-7-b class 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotive built by the Montreal Locomotive Works in March 1919 for the Canadian National Railway (CN).
History[]
Built by the Montreal Locomotive Works for the Canadian National Railway (CN), No. 5288 ran not only in Canada but frequently could be spotted on the Central of Vermont and Grand Trunk New England. Retired from the CN in 1960, it was stored serviceable in the CN's Turcot roundhouse until being sold the following year to F. Nelson Blount for his Steamtown USA collection. It eventually wound up with most of the collection in Scranton, PA. During its move to Steamtown it was attacked by brass thieves who stole much of its piping and parts. Missing several key parts, it was listed as a 'surplus' locomotive. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) in Chattanooga, TN had been looking for ages for a 4-6-2 type locomotive and quickly sought to acquire one. It was chosen as a good candidate since it had been shopped shortly before retirement. In 2001, it was moved to TVRM where it resided on static display for 22 years.
In April 2023, it was acquired by the Colebrookdale Railroad in Boyertown, PA where they plan to eventually restore it to operating condition for use in tourist excursion service. It is the third steamer acquired by the Colebrookdale Railroad, the others being Grand Trunk Western No. 5030 and Lake Superior & Ishpeming No. 18, the latter of which has previously operated at the San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad, also known as the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, in Alamosa, CO from 2007 to 2013. On May 5, 2023, it was towed by diesels from the TVRM and later arrived at the Colebrookdale Railroad on June 26, 2023.
Locomotive Stats[]
Weight on Drivers: 174,000
Driver Diameter: 69
Gallery[]
.jpg "Blue Ridge Parkway 2015 477 (1280x759).jpg (272 KB)")
