by Phil Egan
(2015) A key part of Canadian rail history is being lovingly repaired and renovated thanks to the dedication of a group of steam engine enthusiasts and the support of city council.
Peter and Paul Whitfield, Chris Wiley, Dwayne Ross and Brandon Freuth originally met with the city back in 2008 to propose a restoration project for “Betty,” the celebrated steam locomotive 6069 that proudly stands in Centennial Park, evoking memories of the early railroad days that were so crucial to Sarnia’s growth.
An ambitious start to the five-year project has already accomplished much, but was derailed by the environmental issues that resulted in limited access to the park over the past couple of years. The project is now at a crossroads requiring additional assistance.
Locomotive 6069
6069 was one of the last of a series of locomotives built for the CNR in 1944 by the Montreal Locomotive Company. Numbered 6060 through 6079, these Mountain class engines represented the state-of-the-art of steam locomotive efficiency and design during the heavy rail traffic wartime period. Featuring a one-piece cast frame, their clean lines, flared stacks, conical noses and distinctive speeds quickly earned them a nickname in railway lore – “Bullet Nosed Bettys.” As the name would suggest, they were fast. Capable of speeds up to 100 kilometres an hour, Betty could generate enough steam to heat the entire train in winter.
One of the reasons 6069 is so treasured is that these locomotives are now quite rare. 6060 is out west, serving the Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions Line, while 6077, the only one remaining except for Sarnia’s 6069, is on display in Northern Ontario. One of the Mountain class’ distinctive features is its unusual 4-8-2 wheel configuration, with four non-powered leading wheels for steering and stability, eight large driving wheels for motive power, and two non-powered trailing wheels for support and stability.
Jack Shirley, Bill Moon and Joseph Stonehouse formed the Bayview Railroad Museum Society in 1961 and began negotiating with the CNR to bring the engine to Sarnia. In 1963, 6069 was released to Sarnia with the society acting as custodians. The locomotive sat in Bayview Park until it had to be moved due to Highway 402 construction. In 1972, Betty was relocated to Centennial Park. At that point the city agreed to assume responsibility for maintaining the engine.
Bolstered by a $5,000 grant from a supportive city council, Peter Whitfield and his CNR 6069 Restoration Project began working in 2010 cleaning and sealing Betty’s cab interior, weather sealing her boiler jacket, and adding a rubberized coating to her boiler jacket. Her headlight was removed and rebuilt and is back to working order together with the interior lighting. The tender has had both the Engineer’s side of the coal bunker and water tank stripped to bare metal, primed and painted, and a new Canadian National maple leaf decal installed.
Now that the fences are down at Centennial Park, the restoration group is anxious to get back to work after a two-year interruption. There is still much to do, including the removal of asbestos from areas in the cab.
Peter Whitfield speaks highly of companies like MIG Engineering, Sarnia Rental, Praxair and United Rentals that have contributed in various ways towards the restoration project, but is hoping for additional community support.
“We are always interested in hearing from companies or individuals who want to help,” Whitfield said. Volunteers or donors can reach the group at [email protected].