Virtual Railfan Tour - Thurso and Nation Valley Railway Car 27 - Two Postscripts

Raymond Farand picture of PR train 85 leaving Thurso with car 27 and the BRS caboose on the rear 29 March 1988.
Bruce Chapman has sent these notes on the power used on that day

"I was working in Montreal  in the diesel dispatch that morning.  8242 had just come out of Angus off a rebuild from 8835 on March 15th 1988, It had been working in St. Luc yard for a day or 2 before its dispatch on #85. The 2nd unit of which I cannot read the number was due in Angus the following day for its rebuild.  8242 was the first of 7 units with 26L brakes for road service, a more modern brakestand than the rest of the first generation 4-axle fleet at the time which had the 24RL brake stand.

"1839 was also recently off a rebuild from the 8783, outshopped on November 10th,1987."

Another item about car 27 that should be mentioned concerns its construction. It was always thought that it had been built in the CPR Farnham, QC., shops in 1907.but there was no documented proof. While working on the roof of the car during its restoration we found a small piece of wood, maybe an off cut from the siding. On this was written in pencil "Farnham 1907". I don't know what happened to this artifact - I presume the Bytown Railway Society still has it.


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