#3254 is an S-1-b class Mikado type locomotive (2-8-2) built by the Canadian Locomotive Company in Kingston, ON, in 1917. It started life as #2854 on the Canadian Government Railways but, when consolidated into the government owned Canadian National, it was renumbered #3254.
I caught #3254 hauling the day's first "Scranton Limited", which includes a short trip through the yard, over Bridge 60 built in 1912 across the Lackawanna River and along the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western main line.
The "Scranton Limited" runs Wed–Sun Apr-Nov (daily Jul & Aug) at 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.00pm, 1.45pm and 2.30pm.
Above, looking across the replica turntable to #3254 in one of the stalls of the restored Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad roundhouse.
Built in 1902 as a forty-six stall, full circle roundhouse, it was modernised in 1937. Much of the structure was torn down in the
1950s and only three original sections of the roundhouse have survived.
Above and left, #3254 in the stall preparing for the day's action.
#3254 weighs 283,000 lbs, has 63" drivers and 27" x 30" cylinders. With a 56½ sq ft grate, 235 sq ft firebox and total heating surface of 4,155 sq ft (including 804 sq ft superheating), it operated at a boiler pressure of 180 psi delivering 53,115 lbs tractive effort.
The tender weighs 177,100 lbs light
with a 7,500 gallon and 14 ton coal capacity.
Not much is known about #3254's operating life, but CN used its Mikados to haul both freight and passenger trains.
Above, cylinder cocks blowing, #3254 backs out of the roundhouse stall.
Below, from top to bottom, left to right, #3254 turns on the electrically operated turntable.
The turn is controlled by the Conductor from the small shed at one end of the turntable.
This operation may be one of the most photographed at Steamtown.
Above, #3254 moves out into the yard.
Once overhauled and reassembled, however, #3254 was too large and heavy to meet the Gettysburg's needs.
In 1987, Steamtown needed an operable, heavy-duty locomotive like #3254 for its main line excursions. It therefore decided to trade its Canadian Pacific G-5 light Pacific (4-6-2) #1278
plus $100,000 with the Gettysburg Railway in exchange for #3254. Initially, #3254 was "restored" as DLW 2-8-2 #1271, but it has subsequently reverted to its original Canadian National livery (thankfully).
Above, the fireman rakes out the ash between the grate and ash pan.
#3254 was last shopped by Canadian National at its works in Allendale, ON, in February 1958. It appears to have retired soon after and been placed in storage.
In 1961, Willis F. Barron of Ashland, PA, bought the locomotive intending to operate it on a Reading Railroad branch that served Ashland but, by the time he had moved #3254, the Reading had already abandoned and dismantled the branch.
In 1982, Barron sold #3254 to the Gettysburg & Northern Railroad, which operated track between Gettysburg and Mount Holly Springs, PA.
Above, #3254 rolls forward to a set of points beside a former DL&W fuel tank.
The Conductor makes another points change just past the fuel tank.
#3254 then backs through the yard to begin assembling the day's passenger consist.
Above, DLW passenger coach #580 is coupled up, with DLW #303 to collect.
Today, there is just a two coach consist.
Above, #3245 reverses the coaches to the passenger pick up point at the roundhouse.
With the passengers boarded, #3254 pulls forward and then reverses through the yard.
After crossing by the signal box, #2354 runs under the Steamtown Mall pedestrian bridge.
Below, on the return trip, #3254 pushes the train in reverse.
After crossing points near the old signal box, #3254 is pulling from the front again.
Back in the yard at Steamtown ...
... #3254 reverses the train to the roundhouse so passengers can disembark. It will wait there until the next excursion departs at 11.30am.
As others have noted, it's ironic that steam power for passenger trains operating out of the Steamtown National Historic Site, which is maintained by the US National Park Service, consists of two former Canadian locomotives, Canadian National #3254 and Canadian Pacific
4-6-2 G-3-c #2317 (you can see photos of #2317 in steam on the Steamtown Collection page of this website). Still, in my opinion, and whatever the arrangements, it's great to have both these historic locomotives still in operation.