From the Dome Car: Train 11 Track 1 (September, 2001)

 

Wouldn’t it be great to see working steam in southern Ontario? That was the goal of the Toronto Steam Committee back in 2000. I wrote about it back then in CRM. Alas, it didn’t pan out , reportedly due to factors such as railway liability and insurance requirements, higher operating and maintenance costs for certified steam locomotives, limited access to mainline trackage from CN and CP, and increasingly complex boiler and safety regulations—and lack of funding. But it still would have been something to see! In this Dome Car I also note the passing of railway photographer Lawrence Stucky, who chronicled trains on the prairies. And who remembers that Toronto once bid for the Olympics? Not me.

Toronto didn't get the Olympics, but it may get a working steam locomotive. That is, if a small group called the Toronto Steam Committee (TSC) has its way. 

The goal of the TSC, which began as an e mail forum on Yahoo!, is to explore the possibility of restoring a large Canadian mainline steam locomotive to provide excursion service out of Toronto, possibly to Niagara Falls. To this end, the group is seeking others who would like to see this vision become a reality. 

It's a big task, beginning with the need to identify potential locomotive candidates for restoration. The criteria established by the group include: The locomotive must be of Canadian origin; it must be of a class that operated into Toronto Union Station; it must produce at least 45,000 lbs. of tractive effort; and it must be capable of maintaining track speed on modem mainlines. After finding a candidate, the group needs to restore it to operating condition, and also do all the other important nitty-gritty tasks such as fundraising, promotion and securing running rights. 

Here at CRM we say "all the best!" to the TSC. If you would like more information, or would like to lend your support to the effort, contact the Toronto Steam Committee, 970 Queen Street East, Box 98188, Toronto, ON, M4M 1J8 or by email to: TOsteamowner@yahoogroups.com 

Speaking of steam locomotives, have you picked up your copy of The Guide to Canada's Railway Heritage? A unique feature of the Guide is a listing of the 191 surviving steam locomotives in Canada, the majority of which are on display, although some are still operating and a few are listed as "sunk"! Order it through your local hobby shop or direct from North Kildonan Publications at (204) 668-0168 or crm@cdnrwymod.com 

Closer to our modelling worlds, I may even break down and buy a steam locomotive for my mid-1990s era CP Rail layout. Unlike many readers of CRM, I'm too young to remember steam. As a result, the sight and sound of an operating steam locomotive doesn't move me the way it would someone who grew up with steam. For me, it's interesting and quite impressive, but that's all. 

Even so, I have to admit there's something unique about a steam locomotive, so maybe one will find gainful employment pulling an occasional excursion on my basement pike. Maybe I'll buy that new President's Choice train set this year, the one that features CN 6060 (more on that in the next issue). 

Finally, we'd be remiss if we didn't note the passing of Lawrence Stucky, one of the foremost chroniclers of steam on the Canadian prairies. Lawrence passed away in his 80th year on June 13, 2001. He has left behind a legacy of personal photographs that he and his wife, Mavis (who passed away in December, 1999) took during their many railfanning trips on the prairies. He was the author of four books and numerous articles on horticulture, railways and Brandon, Mantoba history. We mourn the loss of this outstanding Canadian historian and fellow fan of railroads.


 

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