Raising a roof for 2747

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This article was published 23/04/2021 (1724 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A piece of history could soon have a new home.

On April 19, the Transcona Museum launched a new capital campaign to build a permanent protective structure for the historic locomotive CN 2747. The campaign, which is being run by the museum and the Save 2747 Committee, aims to raise $493,000, with over $112,000 committed to the cause at press time.

April 19 also marked the 95th anniversary of the locomotive. Not only was it the first steam locomotive built at the Transcona Shops, it was also the first manufactured in western Canada.

“It’s not just Transcona’s engine,” said Alanna Horejda, Transcona Museum curator and 2747 committee co-chair. “It was built here, it was donated here, but it worked in Alberta, it worked in The Pas, which just adds to its significance and value.”

CN 2747 was donated back to the community when it was retired in 1960. The enclosure project would see a permanent roof built and back wall built to house the locomotive, which is currently on display just off Plessis Road in Rotary Heritage Park. A fence would be constructed around the other three sides, while a staircase and platform will be constructed to allow for visitors to view the engine up close.

“We want to make this as accessible as possible, because right now it is not,” Horejda said. “You don’t realize how large it is driving by it. But as soon as you can get up close, you realize how large it is. When we have stairs there and people can get up and look and see, I think it will be very exciting.”

Interpretive panels, along with a donor’s wall, will be installed inside the enclosure.

“We’d like it to be a focal point, an attraction to Transcona,” Horejda added. “Our goal is to have regular hours for it to be open to the public, and build educational programs to learn about. We’re looking at security options, all that.”

Over the years, the Save 2747 Committee has been working hard to preserve and protect the historic engine. Having a permanent home that shields 2747 from many of the elements won’t completely eliminate the need for regular upkeep and maintenance, but it will extend the engine’s life far into the future.

“We still have work to do to preserve the engine,” Horejda said, adding that 10 per cent of donations to the capital campaign will be earmarked for the museum’s endowment fund to pay for ongoing costs. “We know there will be costs, yearly, into the future. We want to be proactive, so people know that they’re donating for now, but also for perpetuity.”

For more information, visit www.transconamuseum.mb.ca/get-on-board

Sheldon Birnie
Community Journalist

Sheldon Birnie is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. The author of Missing Like Teeth: An Oral History of Winnipeg Underground Rock (1990-2001), his writing has appeared in journals and online platforms across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. A husband and father of two young children, Sheldon enjoys playing guitar and rec hockey when he can find the time. Email him at sheldon.birnie@freepress.mb.ca Call him at 204-697-7112

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