Stepping up to protect CN 2747

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/04/2021 (1795 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Our community of Transcona was built because of the railway shops. Transcona is named for the Transcontinental Railway (Trans) and (Cona) from Lord Strathcona, the man who drove the last spike into the CPR railway in 1885. 

Over the years, the Transcona Shops built not just train cars but even munitions for the First World War. A total of 37 locomotives were constructed there, but the very first one – CN 2747 – rightfully holds a special place in our community.

After chugging away for 34 years from when it first rolled off the line in April 1926, steam locomotive CN 2747 came to rest in what is now Rotary Heritage Park on Plessis Road just north of Transcona Boulevard. 

There can be no question that CN 2747 is a significant part of Transcona’s history. It deserves to be preserved. If no preservation work had been done over the past few years, this historical artifact would have soon been lost.

 Thankfully, many volunteers and professionals, supported by donors and grants, including from the provincial government, have made significant strides in making CN 2747 bright, shiny and durable once again.

Now government and community members are stepping up with the efforts to build a $493,000 enclosure over and around the engine. This enclosure will protect the locomotive from the elements, increase security, and provide more opportunities for the public to see, interact with and appreciate the engine.

Last week, I was pleased to join Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage Cathy Cox in providing a grant of $15,000 to kick off the capital campaign. I am hoping additional grants will flow from provincial, federal, and municipal governments. 

That said, government grants alone will not be enough. Individuals, businesses, and organizations in our community will also need to get on board and make this plan a reality. 

Before he passed away, my dad donated a painting of CN 2747 to the Transcona Museum and the museum has used postcard prints of this painting to help raise funds. My parents and my own family have contributed to the project and I encourage everyone in our community to do the same. Details about how to donate to the project are available at www.transconamuseum.mb.ca. 

If we all get on board, we will ensure this important reminder of Transcona’s history remains visible and present in our community for generations to come.

James Teitsma

James Teitsma was the PC MLA for Radisson from 2016 to 2023.

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