81669 - Alco (MLW) S-3 Switcher

 

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Last modified January 22nd, 2011


(1) Canadian Pacific Railway # 6568

(2) Saskatchewan Railway Museum

June 18th, 2006

SASKATCHEWAN RAILWAY MUSEUM
On the Pike Lake Highway
Museum Completes 5 year Exterior Restoration
on Vintage Locomotive
September 1, 2006 – Saskatoon, SK


The Saskatchewan Railway Museum has unveiled a recently-restored 1957 Canadian
Pacific S-3 locomotive at its museum site on the Pike Lake Highway south-west of
Saskatoon.
The locomotive was built by Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) to the designs of the
American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in 1957. It was retired by the CPR in 1985 and
acquired by the Museum in 1987. Known as an S-3, the engine was considered to be light
‘switchers’ and was used for light duties in freight and coach yards and to move small
numbers of cars from industrial sidings to freight yards.
Exterior restoration of the railcar has been a labour of love for the past five years. The
locomotive arrived in its 1970’s ‘Pac-man red’ colours. Restoration began in 2001 with
sandblasting and priming the unit. In 2003, the S-3 received its traditional topcoat of CP
tuscan red, grey sidewalls, black undercarriage and distinctive yellow pin-striping. In
2005, the interior cab was given a new coat of paint. This past summer, work was
completed when automotive painter Warren Johnson of Unique Collision Centre came on
board with his wife Robyn Braidek to paint the traditional CP script lettering along the
sides of the car, complete with its distinctive CP numbers 6568.
The Saskatchewan Railway Museum is operated by the Saskatchewan Railroad Historical
Association (SRHA), under President Cal Sexmith. The S-3 project was overseen by
SRHA Board Member, Bill Rafoss. According to Rafoss, the S-3 epitomizes the
volunteer spirit that keeps the railway museum operating.
“It took us five long years to complete this project,” said Rafoss, “but we are delighted to
move the S-3 up to the front of the museum where the public can see it everyday. It is the
iconic symbol of the Saskatchewan Railway Museum.”
Sponsors of materials and expertise included Canadian Pacific Rail, PPG Phillips
Industrial Coatings of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Bandit Blasting and Painting of Saskatoon,
Paul Lalonde of Frontier Vinyl and Glass and Ashly Cabinets and Windows.
For more information, see the Saskatchewan Railway Museum website at:
www.saskrailmuseum.org.


For more information, contact:
Bill Rafoss, (306)262-1862


 

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