Canadian National 3254

Canadian National 3254 is a class "S-1-b" 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 used to be a part of the operating fleet at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania until being indefinitely retired from excursion service in 2012 due to serious frame issues, being replaced by Boston and Maine 4-6-2 #3713 as part of Steamtown's operating fleet for use on excursion trains.

Canadian National 3254
CN No. 3254 at Steamtown National Historic Site in June 2011
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/in^2 (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, Steamtown National Historic Site Class S-1-b Numbers CGR 2854 CN 3254 GRR 3254 Lackawanna 1271 Retired 1958 (revenue service) 2012 (excursion service) Restored 1987 Current owner Steamtown National Historic Site Disposition On static display in the Steamtown roundhouse, based 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,[1] and was used to handle very heavy freight trains. On July 24, 1941, No. 3254 collided head on with Great Northern H-5 4-6-2 No. 1351 at North Road cut.[2] This accident caused the locomotive's frame horns to be bent and the frame is also bowed to one side, causing the cab to sit off-center. Despite the bent frame, the Canadian National loosely repaired the locomotive, and it continued service, until it was retired 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.[3] In 1982 it was sold to the Gettysburg Railroad. In the summer of 1987, the steam locomotive arrived at Steamtown National Historic Site after they traded Canadian Pacific 4-6-2 #1278 and some extra cash for the 3254.[1] Until 1995, the 3254 was masqueraded as Lackawanna No. 1271.

Steamtown also has a Canadian National class S-1-d "Mikado", the 3377, on static display. Unfortunately, the 3377 was the target of copper thieves during her trip to Steamtown. The locomotive was never repaired and therefore became a source parts for 3254,[4][5] including the tender, which replaced the 3254's tender in 2010 due to rust leaks and 3254’s old tender was scrapped.

As a result of issues with either the boiler/firebox or the frame, combined with other needed maintenance which made further operation impractical, No. 3254 was taken out of service indefinitely after the 2012 season. The early retirement is likely attributed to it's 1941 collision. She has frequently been described as a "rough rider," and had been chewing up bearings at an accelerated rate. It also consumed a staggering amount of coal compared to the amount consumed by 4-6-2 2317. As a result, 3254 will soon be replaced by Boston and Maine 4-6-2 #3713 as part of Steamtown's operating fleet for use on excursion trains. As of 2021, No. 3254 is unlikely to run again anytime soon.

References

1. "Steamtown National Historic Site - Canadian National 3254 (U.S. National Park Service)". Retrieved June 26, 2010.
2. "Search Results - 5 records | Heritage Burnaby". search.heritageburnaby.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
3. http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/steamtown/shs3b.htm
4. "RailPictures.Net Photo: Canadian National Railway Steam 2-8-2 at Scranton, Pennsylvania by Dennis A. Livesey-liveseyimages.com". Retrieved 2010-07-27.
5. "Canadian National 2-8-2s". Retrieved 2010-07-27.