Canadian Pacific 2-8-0 N-2-a, b, and c

Canadian Pacific Railway N-2-a, b, and c class locomotives were a class of 199 2-8-0 or Consolidation type locomotives built by Montreal Locomotive Works in 1912–1914. They were numbered 3600–3799 by CP and were used almost everywhere around the system.

Canadian Pacific N-2-a,b,c
Canadian Pacific N-2-c 3716 at Canyon View Siding
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Montreal Locomotive Works Build date 1912 to 1914 Total produced 199
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-8-0  • UIC 1′D Gauge 4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Leading dia. 31 in (0.787 m) Driver dia. 63 in (1.600 m) Wheelbase Coupled: 16 ft 6 in (5.03 m) Loco: 25 ft 2 in (7.67080 m) Loco & tender: 64 ft 0 ^7⁄8 in (19.53 m) Length 75 ft 5 ^1⁄2 in (23.00 m) Height 15 ft 3 in (4.65 m) Adhesive weight 211,000 lb (96 t; 94 long tons) Loco weight 236,000 lb (107 t; 105 long tons) Tender weight 139,000 lb (63 t) Fuel type Originally coal, later oil Tender cap. Coal: 12 tons coal, 5,000 gal water Boiler pressure 190 lbf/in^2 (1.31 MPa) Heating surface 3,026 sq ft (281.1 m^2)  • Tubes and flues 563.75 sq in (3,637.1 cm^2)  • Firebox 7,219.125 in^2 (4.657491 m^2) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 23 in × 32 in (584 mm × 813 mm) Valve gear Stephenson Train heating Steam heat
Performance figures Tractive effort 43% (43,400 lbf or 193.1 kN)
Career Operators Canadian Pacific Railways Class N-2-a,b,c Numbers 3800-3999 (later renumbered 3600-3799) Retired 1953? Preserved Three: 3512, 3651, 3716 Disposition Three preserved, remainder scrapped.

Construction history

The order for these engines came around 1912 when CP wanted bigger locomotives for their mainline. Their current engines were wearing out and were too small for the loads that were being hauled. The Montreal Locomotive Works was the one who did the job.

Modifications

These locomotives were originally numbered 3800–3999. They were renumbered between 1920 and 1929 renumbered to the 3600 and 3700s. Most of the class were converted to oil-firing in the later years.

In the 1920s onward Canadian Pacific saw an increasing need for larger locomotives. Most of this class were relocated to either CP's Ogden or Montreal shops for a short time while 65 were converted to Class P1n 2-8-2 renumbered 5200-5264 in 1946 a larger boiler was added as well as a trailing truck and a new cab. They could haul several more thousand pounds than the original 2-8-0's could. Many of this class were converted, although not all, as many survived as 2-8-0's until the end of steam on CP.

Preservation

Of the one hundred eighty-two locomotives that were built, only three remain in existence. 3512 still exists, although not in a heritage park. On January 1, 1947, 3512 was returning to Nelson when the rail barge tipped and the entire train fell into the water. The complete engine, with tender, caboose, and snowplow, still reside at the bottom of Slocan Lake. Engine 3651 was saved and is displayed in Lethbridge. 3716 was used on the British Columbia Museum Train for many years, also serving as a backup locomotive to the 2860 Royal Hudson. It was leased by the Kettle Valley Steam Railway in 2003 and there it hauls the excursions.

See also

• List of heritage railways in Canada
• Kettle Valley Railway

References

• Lavallée, Omer (1985). Canadian Pacific Railway Diagrams and Data: Steam Locomotives. Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). West Hill, Ont.: Railfare Enterprises. pp. 45–46.
• Doeksen, Corwin; Doeksen, Gerry (1991). Railways of the West Kootenay. Vol. 1. Montrose, B.C.: Doeksen. p. 56.

External links

• Kettle Valley Steam Railway
• Kettle Valley Consolidations, part 2 Kettle Valley Model Railway
• Kettle Valley Consolidations, part 3 Kettle Valley Model Railway