On July 8th, the cab of Canadian National F7Au #9173 was loaded on a trailer for the move to its new home at the Niagara Railway Museum Inc. The cab has been sitting outback of the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa for many years, originally acquired to be converted to a simulator for the Museum.? These plans did not come to fruition, and the Museum planned to scrap the piece. Doug Wilson from Ottawa sent a message to NRM President Ken Jones that the piece may be available and to get in touch with the CSTM to see if it could be saved.? The scrapping was stopped, and the push was on to get the move in place.
CN 9173 cab behind the Canada Science & Technology Museum in Ottawa.
Everything came together very quickly as the CSTM wanted it gone if it was going to be saved. A crane had to be found for the loading in Ottawa, a truck had to be lined up for the move to Fort Erie, unloading at Fort Erie, and of course, some very quick fundraising had to be done. Regional Crane got the call for the crane, while Becker Brothers Trucking out of Kitchener was lined up for the trucking as they were in Ottawa this week for something else, and it made sense to not come back empty. Attar Metals did the unload at the Fort Erie end.
Starting the lift of 9173.
Lowering onto the flatbed.
So with everything in place, the date was set, and it all started at 8am July 8th.? There was an issue with the loading, but Regional Crane did their best to fix the situation, and after a delay, the truck got underway, highballing for Fort Erie at 1330.
On the deck and secured for the ride to its new home. It looks a lot smaller on the trailer.
The Niagara Railway Museum Inc. would like to thank everyone involved with this move for their cooperation and expertise.
- Bytown Railway Society ? For their assistance with the move, loading, and overseeing everything on the Ottawa end.
- Canada Science & Technology Museum ? For allowing the Niagara Railway Museum to acquire this piece of railway equipment.
- Becker Brothers Trucking ? Provided the trucking and ensured the cab arrived in Fort Erie safely.
- Regional Crane ? For providing the crane and excellent operator for this lift.
- Attar Metals ? Our neighbours to the west, Milton Braun and the Fort Erie operation of Attar Metals for unloading and moving the cab to our shop, and for always helping us out when we need it most.
- Doug Wilson ? Who started the whole ball rolling and helped pave the way for the move to the Niagara Railway Museum (and for all of the above pictures).
- Our donors ? The Jones Family, Gary Murray, Alan Seburne, Jim Cherry, Doug Wilson
Without the above people and companies this move and acquisition would not have been possible. The Niagara Railway Museum Inc. would especially like to acknowledge the Bytown Railway Society for their part in this acquisition, and for providing members to help with the loading on the Ottawa end. We are very pleased to have been able to work with them and see this piece saved.
As of 9pm July 8th, the cab has been unloaded and is safely on the ground in Fort Erie.
More on this story to follow?