First phase of train restoration underway
An important piece of Canadian history is being restored to its former glory.
CN 6218 was the last steam engine to carry rail passengers in Canada. It has called Fort Erie home since 1973 after it was donated to the Town of Fort Erie by Canadian National Railways. Between 1942 and 1960, it hauled both freight and passengers through Fort Erie. CN 6218 was retired temporarily between 1960 to1964 and then brought back for special excursions before being retired permanently in 1969.
Nicole Reindl, curator for Fort Erie Museum and Cultural Services, says this artifact now stands as the cornerstone of the Fort Erie Railway Museum as a reminder of the days of steam.
“Repairing the engine will help preserve this piece of history for future generations to enjoy,” she says.
After years of deterioration the first phase of the project is close to completion.
In spring 2017, the town commissioned a study to identify, investigate, analyze and propose options for the future of the steam locomotive. Following public consultation, 10 options were presented to town council and in November 2017, council chose to repair and keep the engine at the railway museum.
Ward 1 Coun. George McDermott, whose ward houses CN 6218, says it is part of Fort Erie history and most people are invested in protecting it.
“There is no use having a museum piece if nothing is being done. We want to keep it here,” he says. “Most people in town have a strong connection to the railway. It was a busy place and employed many people in town.”
McDermott says besides being cosmetically beautiful, it will also be a piece the town can be proud of again.
“When it wasn’t maintained that was a reflection on us,” he says.
Ward 2 Coun. Stephen Passero says this is an important project for maintaining a part of Fort Erie’s heritage.
“The strategy that staff and I put together, with input and endorsement from the museum committee members, is a fiscally responsible multi-year plan that works towards rehabilitating an icon of our community. As someone whose father and grandfather both worked for CN, I am proud to be a part of this project.”
Reindl explains the project to repair CN 6218 is divided into three stages.
Stage 1 includes measuring the stability of the track bed; removing the boiler jacket, fibreglass, asbestos, lead paint and heavy metals; making basic repairs; and painting the exterior. This will be finished this month.
Stage 2 will include installing a cover over the engine and will be included in the 2019 budget deliberations.
Stage 3 will include fabricating and installing a new boiler jacket. This stage is dependent on future budget decisions.
Access to the engine is limited while the repair work is being done, but visitors can watch and photograph this work as the train is still visible beyond the fencing. Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds of Fort Erie Railway Museum at any time, although the museum building is closed for the season.
Fort Erie Railway Museum is at 400 Central Ave. More information can be found at www.forterie.ca.