Canadian National 3254

Canadian National 3254
CN 3254 with a tour train at Steamtown
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Canadian Locomotive Company Serial number 1463 Build date 1917
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 and Northern Railroad Class S-1-b Numbers CGR 2854, CN 3254 Retired 1958 Restored 1987 Current owner Steamtown National Historic Site Disposition Out of service frame bent / retired

Canadian National 3254 is a 2-8-2 "Mikado" type steam locomotive built in 1917 for the Canadian National Railway by the Canadian Locomotive Company as a member of the Canadian National class S-1-b . It is a part of the operating fleet at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

History

Canadian National 3254 was built in 1917 by the Canadian Locomotive Company for the Canadian Government Railways where it was numbered 2854. In 1918, the Canadian Government Railways combined with the Canadian Northern Railway formed the Canadian National Railways. The 3254 had considerable pulling power, could climb grades with ease, and was used to handle very heavy freight trains until the Canadian National retired it in 1958.

In November, 1961 it was sold to motel owner Willis F. Barron who moved it to Ashland, Pennsylvania and intended to run the locomotive on the Reading Company's branchline that served the town. The tracks into Ashland were pulled up before Barron's planned venture could begin operation, so he had 3254 disassembled, moved via truck and reassembled at his motel to be used as a static display. In 1982 it was sold to the Gettysburg Railroad. In the summer of 1987, the steam locomotive arrived at Steamtown after Steamtown traded Canadian Pacific 4-6-2 #1278 and cash for the 3254.

Steamtown also has a Canadian National class S-1-d Mikado, the 3377, on static display. In 2010, the 3254's tender was rusted and leaking, so a new one was rebuilt (keeping the original underframe). The new tank was then put on the 3377's tender frame, and the 3377's tank was scrapped. 3254 was taken out of service indefinitely after the 2012 season. She was taken out of service at the end of 2012 with time still on the clock - the reason supposedly being issues with either the boiler/firebox or the frame, combined with other needed maintenance which made further operation impractical.

CN 3254 had sustained a good collision at some point during her service life - her frame horns are bent and the frame is also bowed to one side, causing the cab to sit off-center. She has frequently been described as a "rough rider," and had been chewing up bearings at an accelerated rate.

Many parts on 3254 are actually from sister engine CN 3377, which had been put on the dead line with only 500 or so miles after Class repairs (anyone know what level?). 3377 was unfortunately the target of copper thieves during her trip to Steamtown (North Walpole version) and was never repaired. She almost had her chance as a part of the Vermont Bicentennial along with 2317 and 5288, but it never came to pass (plans were scaled down for one engine instead of three, #2317).

At one point, the rumor mill was churning on about 3254's boiler being placed on 3377's frame, sort of a best-of-both-worlds scenario (3377's boiler, as far as I know, has not been checked but there are no known defects, either). While the engines are very similar, they also have a lot of differences, which made this swap impractical. However, 3254 and her sister 3377 are both ideally suited for the park's needs and it is not surprising that '77 has, from what I can tell, become the next locomotive on the list for operational restoration following the return of B&M 3713.

Another component in the mix is a stainless steel tender body that was constructed for 3254 in 2010. At the time, 3377's tender body was scrapped, with the plan of 3254's current tender body going onto 3377's tender frame, and the new body joining with 3254. It has been confirmed that the stainless steel body will fit either frame without issue so the new tender body can simply stay with 3377 (a big hurdle already cleared).

I would anticipate that Steamtown can save both time and money by swapping a multitude of good parts from 3254 to 3377. As I said, many of these parts started out on 3377 to begin with. As far as I know, all of the parts that were removed from 3254 are still on site and can be mounted back on the engine so that she will still serve as a mostly intact static display.