NRM's new locomotive, ex-INCo #102 (nee HEPC E-7) sits in the NRE yard waiting to move into the shop for loading.
After a very gruelling 18hr day for me, I am pleased to report that the NRM’s 3rd locomotive is now safe and sound inside the Fort Erie shop.
INCo #102 (ex-HEPC E-7) arrived in Fort Erie at 530pm Thursday.? The crane however, didn’t show up until after 8pm. We quickly unloaded the trucks, and moved the crane and float with the locomotive to the other side of the tracks.? Yes, it was unloaded in the dark.? Peter from PRW brought a 60ton Grove crane for the lift, which was a bit hairy at times, but it all worked out in the end, and after a bit of tweaking, the body dropped onto the trucks quite easily.? A lot of work was done this week to prepare for the move, from going to Capreol prep E07 for the move, to the NRM crew at the shop.? Track 2 was cleared out to accomodate E-7.? Steve, Ray, John, William, and?Ken spent time working on track 2.? Steve,
Ray & William also returned?Thursday afternoon/evening to help with the move, along with Ken?Jones Sr.?& Garry.? Beam excavating sent over a brand new Cat backhoe (6.5hrs on the unit) to help with the move, and the guys that came with it, Jeff & Paul were a great help, as they also pitched in during the actual lift
NRM's new loco, ex-INCo #102 (nee HEPC E-7) is moved into the shop by NRE's 25 tonner.
to hep get E-7 to where it needed to be.? This is the second time Beam has offered a machine to us, the first being when 46 arrived, and it was very much appreciated.? The crew at NRE in Capreol were great to work with.? The engine was jacked up, the trailer backed under?Wednesday night.? Don Villeneuve, Owner of Villeneuve’s Steel Wheels brought the body of E-7 down early Thursday morning.? My driver John, ?arrived at 650am Thursday morning, loaded my pick up onto the float (it died Wed. night) then loaded E-7’s trucks, the pantograph & steps, and we were on our way.? John?was a great help during the unloading?as well.? This move never would have been?possible if not for the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum & Heritage Centre in Capreol who managed to hold off on scrapping the unit untl we could actually acquire it.I had started dealing with Bob Michelutti some 4 yrs ago to have them hold off disposing of the unit.? Thankfully, they were willing to work with us on this, and it has paid off in the end.
Renumbered/relettered, HEPC E-7 is up on jacks, waiting for the arrival of the float trailer, to take it to the NRM.On the truck and ready to go. The body of E-7 is ready to leave Capreol for the last time, heading to the NRM shop at Fort Erie.
I am very pleased with how things went, and am very thankful to all who came out to help with the move, and the preperations that went into
getting E-7 to our site.? With the arrival of E-7, this completes the Hydro Locomotive Trilogy (so to speak) and now gives us a very unique display of 3 hydro units from 2 of the most famous power projects in Canadian history.
On the truck and ready to go. The body of E-7 is ready to leave Capreol for the last time, heading to the NRM shop at Fort Erie.
Thank you again to everyone who helped out. It was a lot of work, but we can be proud of what has been accomplished.? Now, get some rest, and I’m sure I’ll see some of you on Saturday as we have quite a bit of work to do, including door repairs, and a massive cleaning of the cab of E-7.
Ken Jones
President
Niagara Railway Museum
Jeff from Beam Excavating operates the brand new Cat backhoe, lifting E-7's pantograph and steps off the float to allow the trucks to be placed on the rails.
With the trucks on track 2 beside the crane, Peter from PRW starts to lift E-7's body off the float. It is 1030 at night, and the engine was back together by 1115.