Caption: Sitting recently painted in front of the former CPR John St. Roundhouse in downtown Toronto, CP 7069 (a 1948 Baldwin DS4-4-1000 switcher) rests on a stub track outside stall 14 sporting relatively fresh maroon and grey paint. Long stored inside out of view, it had been recently repainted from the action red with stripes that it wore for a number of years prior. One of only two Baldwin diesels saved from CP's roughly two-dozen they once rostered, it's a long way from home in Vancouver where it was based out of for most of its life.
There's an interesting story behind this unit. 7069 was retired in the late 70's, incurring a cracked engine block from freeze damage (with less than stellar attempted repairs). It was then purchased by a pair of individuals and moved to Toronto. One account states that they insisted on that particular unit for some reason, even though there were other operable units around and the person in charge tried to convince them to purchase one of those when they were retired (they apparently also cleaned out the shop of a whole wack of Baldwin parts for it). 7069 was moved to Toronto, and had been stored in the old John St. roundhouse in downtown Toronto, out of view of the public, for years before a museum was established. It currently resides there, but is somewhat of an oddball and unloved due to its west coast heritage, and will likely never run again due to its cracked engine block. Current ownership is a bit questionable, and it was in danger of being scrapped for a bit when Leons was moving in and the City of Toronto wanted it moved out or they would dispose of it (see The Hauling Fool).
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Mr Dan: I know those fellows who purchased the 7069.
It’s a good story! Nice, clear photo!
Kb1946
Thanks KB. If you can ask them why they were intent on purchasing that one specifically, inquiring minds would like to know
It should go to the museum in Squamish as it has no connection with Toronto. This is just a 40-plus-year saga of childishness trumping historical thoughtfulness.