Caption: CNR 5700, one of only five K-5-a Hudson locomotives built for the CNR by MLW in 1930 for high speed passenger service in the Montreal - Windsor corridor. She is seen here leading a passenger extra westbound through Hamilton, likely just east of Ottawa Street based on the house/building at centre, and the distance to the Dofasco structure in the distance. Date is approximate based on the repainted stencil on the boxcar (CNR 485147) at left. This car was part of a 1,350 car order of 40 foot boxcars placed by the CNR to National Steel Car in October 1943, the order being built between February and May 1944. With the weight information restenciled on the side as 5-52, it is possible the car was involved in an accident or altered and reweighted due to the additional structure.
At the close of the steam era in 1960, CNR marked 5700 for preservation, however it was unfortunately scrapped by mistake. Instead, CNR 5703 was pulled from the scrap lines and renumbered as 5700, now on display at the Elgin County Railway Museum in St. Thomas. The difference between the two 5700's is see on the driving wheels. All K-5-a locomotives received spoked driving wheels save for class leader 5700, which had boxpok wheels. One other K-5-a Hudson, CNR 5702, is preserved by Exporail in Saint Constant, Quebec.
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Absolutely stunning – thanks for posting!
Mr.Bratina (please excuse the informal salutation)—I may not always agree with your political views but I certainly appreciate your interest in local railroad history—thank you for sharing this excellent photo from the Reg Button collection.
I’ve seen both preserved K5a Hudsons only recently, and both are in immaculate states of preservation. Beautiful, stunning, locomotives. Those huge drivers would be breathtaking at speed.