CN 2747 Capital Campaign Closed
The Transcona Museum Board and the 2747 Committee announce the successful conclusion of the GET ON BOARD capital campaign that raised funds to support the development of a protective enclosure over the historic steam locomotive CN 2747. The capital campaign was initially launched on April 19, 2021 – the 95th anniversary of the construction of CN 2747.
Thank you so much to our donors who contributed to the capital campaign over the past few years. We deeply appreciate the tremendous generosity of everyone who supported this opportunity to preserve a historically significant railway artifact for present and future generations in Transcona, Winnipeg, and Canada.
Donations to CN 2747 can still be made to help with future maintenance and upkeep of the CN 2747 structure and the historic locomotive. For donation inquiries, please contact the Transcona Museum.
There will be an official opening of the protective enclosure in Spring / Summer 2024. We will provide updates on this exciting event in the following months. Thank you again.
Saving CN 2747
CN 2747 is an artifact of significant historical importance not only to the community of Transcona but to Canada. It was the first steam locomotive constructed at the Transcona Shops and the first built in Western Canada in April 1926. After 34 years of service, CN 2747 was retired and placed on permanent, outdoor display in 1960.
For over 60 years, CN 2747 has been damaged to due exposure from the elements, vandalism, and theft. A thorough condition assessment of the locomotive was completed by GP Heritage Consulting in 2017, and the Transcona Museum has since undertaken necessary preservation work to ensure the stability and longevity of CN 2747.
The goal of the overall preservation of CN 2747 is to bring the engine and tender to a safe, stable, secure, and attractive condition.
Preservation Work
Since 2018, the preservation of the engine and tender has been undertaken by the SAVE 2747 Committee and its volunteers. Preservation work completed to date includes:
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Blast cleaning and painting the exterior, completed by Winnipeg Sandblasting.
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Minor repairs and cleaning.
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Safety and security measures.
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Welding repairs completed by Kinetic Machines Ltd.
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Refinishing small fittings such as gauges from the cab.
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Procurement and fabrication of parts.
This work could not have been completed without our dedicated volunteers, many being retired CN employees. Their knowledge and expertise are invaluable to the preservation project.
Support CN 2747
All donations go towards the ongoing preservation project of CN 2747, as well as the future maintenance and upkeep of the enclosure structure. We are already grateful for the previous contributions made to the project.
To date, financial support for the overall preservation of CN 2747 has been provided by grants through The Winnipeg Foundation, the Province of Manitoba, the City of Winnipeg, community fundraising efforts and events, and donations to the SAVE 2747 campaign.
We also acknowledge past support from Wyatt Dowling Insurance on Plessis Road, Portage la Prairie Mutual Insurance Company, CN Pensioners Association of Manitoba, CN Corporate Services 935, and Transcona Friends and Neighbours.
CN 2747 SLIDESHOW
Enjoy viewing a selection of images from the CN 2747 Preservation Project. These images illustrate the work completed since 2018 by our volunteer crews and contractors, including welding work, restoration work, sandblasting and repainting. If you are interested in joining the project, consider becoming a volunteer.
