What's Possible?

Restoration Work On CN #40 - A Conundrum!
(Conundrum - a question having only a conjectural answer; an intricate and difficult problem.)

We have been asked to come up with our vision of what CN #40 might look like on a cosmetic restoration.  We are, however, handicapped as we do not know the condition that each element of the locomotive is in.

For example, suggestions have been made on how to "restore" the cab as the top sills of side cab windows were originally curved whereas they are currently straight.  However, an examination of the cab indicates that the top sills are covered by two pieces of sheet metal that are screwed into the cab wall.  Photos in the Bailey & Glithero report indicate that this may have been done during its tenure with the Chaudiere Valley Railway. A cursory examination of the cab indicates that it is a complex amalgam of wood, steel rods, window sashes and other elements.  What would be involved in "restoring" the top sills to their "original" condition. 

Comments have been made that the wooden pilot is not "typical" in that most pilots were made of tubular steel and that the pilot should be replaced.  However, close examination of photos of the pilots of 4-4-0 locomotives, including Grand Trunk, indicate no rivets on early pilots.  There are also stories of locomotives hitting animals with the pilot being shattered into a thousand splinters.  Perhaps the pilot is "typical" and should stay where it is?  (A subsequent review of the appendices attached to the McGee report indicates the pilot was definitely made of wood.)

Major parts of the valve gear are missing.  Some parts have been found with the possibility of installing them on the locomotive.  However, if the locomotive is moved, how will this impact the valve gear in the steam chest?  Are these parts free-moving or are they all seized up?

There are other items that require examination before decisions can be made on how the restoration should proceed.

Preliminary Work Needs To Be Carried Out
This does not mean, however, that studies should be done before ANY work is undertaken on CN #40.

• We have started with needle-gunning and wire-wheeling the firebox and boiler.  There is other rust-removal work that needs to be done.
• The paint on the cab has peeled.  As a minimum, the paint should be stripped, a job that should be relatively easy, and new paint applied. 
• The condition of the valve gear in the steam chests needs to be examined to determine if the gear is free-running or seized.
• There is residue in the bottom of the smokebox.  The nature of this material needs to be determined and steps taken to remove it.
• The boiler tubes are plugged with soot and grime.  These need to be cleaned.
• The smokestack has not been examined to determine whether it can be readily modified or even if the original smokestack rests inside.  The smokestack should be examined.
• There are a large number of loose parts throughout the buildings.  These need to be gathered, catalogued, their condition determined, and new parts fabricated if deemed necessary.
• ...... and a whole lot more preparatory work done.

What should CN #40 Look Like In Its Restored State??
I have no idea as to what CN #40 should look like in its restored state.  After looking at what was done to CP #374, I'm leaning towards restoring CN #40 back to its Museum Train days as being the most feasible.  And if I were to go further, I'd be taking a close look at the likes of similar locomotives like CPR 4-4-0 #71.

 However, there are a number of items that have to be considered before arriving at a definite answer.

We don't know what the condition of the various elements are like.  For example, do we need to replace the cab?  If yes, how difficult would it be to replace the cab?  Do we have the expertise, time, and money to replace the cab.  Is the current cab, in fact, not an "original"?

We don't know what a "typical" Grand Trunk locomotive might have looked like during the period that CN #40 was in operation.  Doing some of the preliminary work and analysis listed above would help us to decide what we would like to have done.  For the moment, we have more than enough work to keep us busy working on CN #40 for quite a number of weeks.

Bob Moore.