Canadian National 5288

Canadian National 5288
Canadian National No. 5288 on display at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in April 2013
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Montreal Locomotive Works Serial number 60483 Build date June 1918
Specifications Configuration: ​  •  Whyte 4-6-2  •  UIC 2′C1′ h Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 69 in (1,753 mm) Adhesive weight 268,000 lb (121.6 tonnes) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 14 t (14 long tons; 15 short tons) Water cap. 7,100 US gallons (27,000 L) Boiler pressure 200 psi (1.38 MPa) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 24 in × 28 in (610 mm × 711 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts
Performance figures Tractive effort 39,735 lbf (176.75 kN)
Career Operators Canadian Government Railways Grand Trunk Railway Canadian National Railway Class J-7-b Numbers CGR 516 GT 1516 CN 5288 Current owner Colebrookdale Railroad Disposition Display, awaiting restoration
Reference: [1]

Canadian National 5288 is a J-7-b class 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotive, built in June 1919 by the Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW), originally for the Canadian Government Railways (CGR) as No. 516 and later No. 5288 on the Canadian National Railway (CN). It was on display at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) in Chattanooga, Tennessee. However, in April 2023, it was acquired by the Colebrookdale Railroad (EBGX) in Boyertown, Pennsylvania to be restored to operating condition for use in tourist excursion service. ^[1]

History

Canadian National 5288 was built by the Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) for the Canadian National Railway (CN), No. 5288 ran not only in Canada but frequently could be spotted on the Central Vermont and Grand Trunk New England. ^[1] Retired from the CN in 1960, it was stored serviceable in the CN's Turcot roundhouse until being sold the following year to F. Nelson Blount for his Steamtown USA collection. ^[1] It eventually wound up with most of the collection in Scranton, PA. ^[1] During its move to Steamtown it was attacked by brass thieves who stole much of its piping and parts. Missing several key parts, it was listed as a 'surplus' locomotive. ^[1] Meanwhile, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) in Chattanooga, TN had been looking for ages for a 4-6-2 type locomotive and quickly sought to acquire one. ^[1] It was chosen as a good candidate since it had been shopped shortly before retirement. ^[1] In 2001, it was moved to TVRM where it resides on static display until 2023. ^[1]

In April 2023, it was acquired by the Colebrookdale Railroad (EBGX), in Boyertown, PA where they plan to eventually restore it to operating condition for use in tourist excursion service. ^{[2] [3] [4]} It is the third steamer acquired by the Colebrookdale Railroad, the others being Grand Trunk Western No. 5030 and Lake Superior and Ishpeming No. 18. ^{[5] [6] [7]} On May 5, 2023, it was towed by diesels from the TVRM and later arrived at the Colebrookdale Railroad on June 29, 2023. ^[8] Plans call for the locomotive to be displayed as a historic artifact with the goal of eventually restoring it to operable status. ^[9]

References

1. "Canadian National Railways No. 5288". Steamtown. National Park Service. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
2. "Colebrookedale Acquires Canadian National 4-6-2". Railfan & Railroad Magazine. 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
3. Wayne Laepple (April 10, 2023). "Colebrookdale Trust will acquire locomotive from Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum". Trains .
4. "TENNESSEE VALLEY RAILROAD MUSEUM TRANSFERS OWNERSHIP OF STEAM LOCOMOTIVE 5288 TO COLEBROOKDALE RAILROAD PRESERVATION TRUST". Tvrail.com. 2023-04-13. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
5. Vasil, Jim (March 24, 2021). "Colebrookdale RR to run steam locomotive in 1-2 years". Allentown, PA: WFMZ-TV. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
6. "Colebrookdale Trust will acquire locomotive from Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum". Trains. April 10, 2023. Archived from the original on June 19, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
7. Burkhart, M.T. (March 29, 2021). "Colebrookdale Railroad Acquires Former LS&I 2-8-0 No. 18". Railfan & Railroad . White River Productions. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
8. Weekly, Berks (2023-04-08). "Colebrookdale Railroad acquires steam locomotive #5288 from Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum". Berks Weekly - Local News, Entertainment, Traffic, Weather, Sports. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
9. "Ex-CN 4-6-2 heads to Colebrookdale Railroad". Trains . Kalmbach. August 2023. p. 49.