Central Ohio 1293- Steam in the Cuyahoga Valley 2012
Canadian Pacific No. 1293 is a 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotive built in June 1948 by the Canadian Locomotive Company for the Canadian Pacific Railway.
The locomotive was built for passenger service, the 1293 served an eight-year career working on the Canadian Pacific Railway until being replaced by diesel locomotives where it was later retired in 1959.
It was purchased in 1964 by F. Nelson Blount for use at his Steamtown site in Bellows Falls, VT. The Steamtown Special History Study gave no details of the operational career of 1293, but said that Blount purchased it under the name of Green Mountain Railroad, in January 1964. The 1293 was easily restored to operation for hauling fan trips for the general public. This was one of three type 4-6-2, class G5d light-weight "Pacific" locomotives that were operational at the time Steamtown, USA was still in Bellows Falls.
The Steamtown Foundation purchased the locomotive from the Green Mountain Railroad in 1973 and rebuilt it in 1976. Making its debut as an excursion engine in June of that year and sporting a green and black color scheme, 1293 served the state of Vermont as its "Bicentennial Train", logging 13,000 miles. Leased by the state of Vermont for 80-mile excursions that were scheduled for the entire year, the engine was dubbed "The Spirit of Ethan Allen".
Today, the locomotive is operational, but is currently out of service awaiting a 15-year rebuild and is based out of the Age of Steam Roundhouse in Sugarcreek, OH.
Trivia[]
- The locomotive was renumbered "1881", painted black with silver stripes, and leased to a Hollywood company for use in the filming of the horror movie "Terror Train" in 1980.
- The 1293 was later sold to the Ohio Central Railroad in 1996 for tourist train service.
- Although the Steamtown Special History Study reasoned that, since this type of locomotive had historically operated in New England, perhaps as far south as Boston, it qualified to be part of the federal government's collection, the Canadian native sat unused for 12 years following the move to Scranton.
- In February 1982, the headlights, handrails and cab roof of 1293 were damaged when the roof of a Steamtown storage building gave way to heavy snow.
- On December 6, 1997, 1293 was seen pulling the mid day Polar Express train.
- As of 2023 1293 is still out of service awaiting a rebuild and inspection