'The cherry on top': CN sponsors historic Transcona train restoration project
The restoration of a historic Transcona train is almost complete after a generous donation from the company that built it nearly a century ago.
The CN 2747 was the first steam locomotive constructed by the Canadian National Railway (CNR) at its Transcona Shops in 1926, and the first locomotive built in Western Canada. After going out of service in 1960, the train has sat fenced-off from the public for more than 60 years in Rotary Heritage Park along Plessis Road.
The Transcona Museum bought the CN 2747 in 2015, and has been running a capital campaign for the last few years to raise money for its restoration, as well as a permanent enclosure to protect the train from the elements.
On Friday, the museum announced that CN Rail will become the site's major sponsor, donating $200,000 over the next four years towards the project.
"Very important to the community, to support the workers in the Transcona area that have been a part of this heritage," said Adam Beck, senior manager for CN's Transcona Shops.
"We can do the stuff we want to do now thanks to CN and their contribution," said Peter Martin, co-chair of the Save 2747 committee.
The money will go towards completing the enclosure around the train and improving accessibility. "We want to put stairs in the back and we want to finish up the landscaping," said Martin. "And also the maintenance over the next few years."
The museum is planning to run tours and other programming at the site. Educational displays will teach visitors about the train's history.
The City of Winnipeg has contributed $75,000 through a Land Dedication Reserve Grant. Even with these funds in place, the capital campaign is still around $60,000 short of the $600,000 needed to complete the project.
"This is absolutely a big step, it’s the cherry on top," said Jennifer Maxwell, assistant curator with the Transcona Museum. "We have a little more to go, but hopefully it encourages some more donations from the community."
Other funds for the project have been raised through various community appeals, fundraising initiatives, and grants from government and community organizations.
Construction is expected to be completed later this summer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Donald Trump picks former U.S. congressman Pete Hoekstra as ambassador to Canada
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has nominated former diplomat and U.S. congressman Pete Hoekstra to be the American ambassador to Canada.
Genetic evidence backs up COVID-19 origin theory that pandemic started in seafood market
A group of researchers say they have more evidence to suggest the COVID-19 pandemic started in a Chinese seafood market where it spread from infected animals to humans. The evidence is laid out in a recent study published in Cell, a scientific journal, nearly five years after the first known COVID-19 outbreak.
This is how much money you need to make to buy a house in Canada's largest cities
The average salary needed to buy a home keeps inching down in cities across Canada, according to the latest data.
'My two daughters were sleeping': London Ont. family in shock after their home riddled with gunfire
A London father and son they’re shocked and confused after their home was riddled with bullets while young children were sleeping inside.
Smuggler arrested with 300 tarantulas strapped to his body
Police in Peru have arrested a man caught trying to leave the country with 320 tarantulas, 110 centipedes and nine bullet ants strapped to his body.
Boissonnault out of cabinet to 'focus on clearing the allegations,' Trudeau announces
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced embattled minister Randy Boissonnault is out of cabinet.
Baby dies after being reported missing in midtown Toronto: police
A four-month-old baby is dead after what Toronto police are calling a “suspicious incident” at a Toronto Community Housing building in the city’s midtown area on Wednesday afternoon.
Sask. woman who refused to provide breath sample did not break the law, court finds
A Saskatchewan woman who refused to provide a breath sample after being stopped by police in Regina did not break the law – as the officer's request was deemed not lawful given the circumstances.
Parole board reverses decision and will allow families of Paul Bernardo's victims to attend upcoming parole hearing in person
The families of the victims of Paul Bernardo will be allowed to attend the serial killer’s upcoming parole hearing in person, the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) says.