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EQUIPMENT
1201, A Canadian Pacific G5a Light Pacific, was the last locomotive to be built by Canadian
Pacific Angus Shops in Montreal. Completed in 1944, 1201 was the second of only two built by Angus shops. One hundred
similar locomotives were built by Montreal Locomotive Works and the Canadian Locomotive Company. 1201 travelled one
million miles, principally between Montreal and Smiths Falls, Ontario, before being retired at Angus Shops in 1959.
During 1967 the Museum of Science and Technology (NMST), located in Ottawa, purchased 1201 for display within the
museum. 1201 remained there until 1973 when a wall was removed so it could be sent to Toronto, Ontario, for rebuilding.
Sandpoint, an American built coach, now owned by the NMST.
(W.C. Slim)
Micmac, from CPR's branch line in the Maritimes.
(W.C. Slim)
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Trips to Wakefield commenced in 1976. 3051 is a Baggage-Buffet-Coach,
one of only two remaining cars in Canada built by National Steel Car and completed by Angus Shops in 1936. It is a
lightweight semi-streamlined car of welded construction designed for use on name trains "Royal
York" and "Chinook". It is owned by the NMST.
Next follows Credit Valley coaches 822, Cataract, and 821, Forks of Credit. Both are leased from the Ontario Rail
Association for Museum use.
Sandpoint, lettered for defunct Canada Central, was built in 1925. In 1952 the Ontario Northland Railway bought it from
the Louisville and Nashville Railroad for use between North Bay and Englehart, Ontario. In 1970, the car was sold to a
Michigan museum until bought by the NMST in 1976.
Lastly, there is Dominion Atlantic coach Micmac. It ran between Truro and Windsor, Nova Scotia, as CPR car number 1303.
It was built by National Steel Car of Hamilton, Ontario, for use on name trains "Mountaineer" and
"Trans-Canada Limited". In 1975 a new roof was applied, repairs and painting were completed by
CP Rail, and the car went into service with the Museum. All cars are painted standard CPR maroon, complimenting 1201 -
an excellent assortment, a proper looking train.
As the assembled train awaits departure time its Museum crew seem to disappear. Coffee? Ice is loaded aboard coaches as
passengers gather. The parking lot fills with vehicles. Passengers pose beside 1201 as shutters click.
OPERATION
During 1981 the fare is $10 per adult. Tickets go on sale at the Museum Information Desk 09:00 Mondays, for the
following week. Also, tickets may be purchased at "Museum" station prior to boarding. (On the Monday morning I
bought tickets there were 50 people waiting in line at 08:30. When the sales counter opened the majority bought 4 to 6
tickets each. There is a limit of 8 tickets per person imposed. I was worried the train would be sold out before I
could reach the counter. There were 50 more people behind me. Two seats in 3051 were purchased, so this story will
continue.) "Museum" station is a standard CPR portable station, the original design dating from 1914. Track
and station are located on the north side of the Museum's parking lot. There are additional locomotive exhibits within
the Museum, although non-operating. Restoration is underway on a Lima Shay which will be operated once
complete.
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