Canadian Pacific class N2

Canadian Pacific N-2-a,b,c
Canadian Pacific N2a No. 3631 in 1935
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Montreal Locomotive Works Canadian Locomotive Company Canadian Car and Foundry CPR Angus Shops 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 (0.79 m) Driver dia. 63 in (1.6 m) Wheelbase Coupled: 16 ft 6 in (5.03 m) Loco: 25 ft 2 in (7.67 m) Loco and tender: 64 ft 7⁄8 in (19.529 m) Length 75 ft 5+1⁄2 in (23.000 m) Height 15 ft 3 in (4.65 m) Adhesive weight 211,000 lb (96 t) Loco weight 236,000 lb (107 t) Tender weight 139,000 lb (63 t) Fuel type Originally coal, later oil Fuel capacity 12 short tons (11 t) coal Water cap. 5,000 imp gal (23 m3) water Boiler pressure 190 lbf/in2 (1.3 MPa) Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 7,219.125 in2 (4.657491 m2)  • Tubes and flues 563.75 sq in (3,637.1 cm2)  • Total surface 3,026 sq ft (281.1 m2) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 23 in × 32 in (580 mm × 810 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts Train heating Steam heat
Performance figures Tractive effort 43% (43,400 lbf or 193 kN)
Career Operators Canadian Pacific Railways Class N-2-a,b,c Numbers 3800–3999 (later renumbered 3600–3799) Retired 1953–1959 Preserved Two: 3651, 3716 Disposition Two preserved, remainder scrapped.

The Canadian Pacific N-2-a, b, and c was a class of 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type steam locomotives built between 1912 and 1914. A total of 199 were produced, numbered 3600 through 3799 by the Canadian Pacific Railway and used almost everywhere around the system.

History

Development and design

The engines were ordered when Canadian Pacific sought bigger locomotives for their mainline. Their current fleet were wearing out and too small for the loads being hauled.

Construction

While majority of the class was constructed by the Montreal Locomotive Works, orders were also placed with the Canadian Locomotive Company and Canadian Car and Foundry, with one locomotive being built by the CPR Angus Shops.

Modifications

These locomotives were originally built under the N3 class beginning in 1909 and numbered 3800 through 3999. They were renumbered between 1920 and 1929 to the 3600s 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 thousand pounds more than the original 2-8-0s could. Many of this class were converted, although not all, as many survived as 2-8-0s until the end of steam on CP.

Preservation

Of the 199 locomotives that were built, only two remain in existence.

Preserved N2 locomotives

Type	Number	Image	Date built	Serial number	Location	Coordinates	Notes
N2a	3651		July 1910	48339	Lethbridge Station, Lethbridge, Alberta	49.69835°N 112.83646°W / 49.69835; -112.83646 (Canadian Pacific 3651)	On static display behind the station.
N2b	3716		October 1912	51628	Kettle Valley Steam Railway, Summerland, British Columbia	49.58700°N 119.73417°W / 49.58700; -119.73417 (Canadian Pacific 3716)	Hauls excursion trains since 2003. Previously served as a backup locomotive for Canadian Pacific No. 2860 from 1975 to 2001.

See also

• List of heritage railways in Canada
• Kettle Valley Steam Railway

Further reading

• 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
• "steamlocomotive.com"