Lambton Yard Engines

Class U3d 0-6-0 2212 was built in the CPR Angus shops in March 1911.
It was re-numbered 6212 in September 1912 and lasted until June 1953 when it was scrapped.
Two yardmen, an engineer, and a fireman pose with a brand new engine in this
photo taken on April 10, 1911 by commercial photographer S.F.Piggott.
David Marshall would go on to be the engineer on 2851 pulling the
Royal Pilot Train from Toronto to Mac Tier on the famous 1939 Royal Tour.
(Collection of the the late Herbert Stitt, courtesy of the West Toronto Junction Historical Society.)

James Simmons/W.H.N.Rossiter Collection

No. 6602, a V5 0-8-0 is shown on the Lambton ashpit, after a night's work on the big lead. Two of these engines, Nos. 6602 and 6603 were seen around Lambton for many years, and 6603 did some time at Mactier. There were ten engines in the class, 6600 - 6609 and they were scattered across Canada from St. John, New Brunswick to Trail, British Columbia.

The CPR V5 were the only steamers on the system that had their numbers usurped by the encroaching diesel. The MLW-Alco DS-6, 660 h.p. switchers edged into the 6600 series in 1957 so the V5s were renumbered into the 6960 series. The only one never to receive a new number was 6603 which was scrapped at Angus in July 1956. They were big brutes as yard engines go, with lots of get up and go. One afternoon in February, 1947, while I was working as a fireman on the wayfreight yard job, we were surprised to see 6602 standing near the yard office awaiting us instead of our regular diesel No. 7027. Our assigned engine was not available for some reason, so the opportunity arrived for me to try my prowess as a fireman on a V5. The vestibule cab (unusual for a yard engine) was quite large and the shovelling plate seemed miles from the firedoor. Charlie Moreau, the engineer, said he had heard they were intended for stokers but these were never applied. It took about half a shift before I got the hang of firing the monster. It seemed that every time Charlie opened the throttle, the needle on the steam gauge took a dive. However, we persevered and finally built a fire to the old girls liking, from then on she steamed like a charm and was easy to keep hot. Alas, this was my one and only experience with the V5 class. Newton Rossiter

J. Walder/J. Riddell Collection

The date is August 1,1953 and with its pop valves roaring, No. 6922 is seen backing off the shop track at Lambton Yard, ready for a day's work. At the throttle is engineer Bill Walder, watching as his son, James, preserves on film two C.P.R. veterans. No. 6922 was a V4a class 0-8-0 type yard engine originally built in April 1907 by the C.P.R. as No. 1668, a 2-8-0 "Consolidation", later renumbered in 1912 to No. 3468. During 1928 the C.P.R. carried out a rebuilding program, converting a number of M4 class light 2-8-0's to 0-8-0 yard engines and No. 6922 was rebuilt from No. 3468 at Angus in July 1928.

This locomotive saw a good deal of service in the Toronto area and was stationed at John Street along with No. 6931 when I worked there in the late 1940's and 1950's. Sometime during the mid-1950's No. 6922 was transferred to Montreal Terminals, working there until the summer of 1957, when it was retired and scrapped at Angus on November 1 of that year. While stationed at John Street, this engine was involved in at least one mishap that I know of. About 3:00 p.m. on June 19, 1952, while switching a cut of cars near Avenue Road overpass on the North Toronto cut-off, No. 6922 was hit by two locomotives and a van which were backing east to pick up a London freight. The double locomotives struck No. 6922's tender and turned it over, which in turn crushed the left side of the cab. Engineer Grant was able to jump clear but fireman White was pinned between the cab wall and boiler. A rescue crew worked for an hour with torches and bars and finally released White who sustained a broken leg and burns. No. 6922 was soon repaired at West Toronto Shops and saw five more years of service.

In August 1936 as a lad of fourteen, I remember visiting the famous Rexall train then touring the U.S.A. and Canada. This long blue and white drug exhibit train was on display in Toronto at "Fez City", a small yard near the waterfront. This odd name was acquired when a number of Shriner special trains were parked there during the great Shriner convention held in the city in the summer of 1930. With departure time for the Rexall train only minutes away, a C.P.R. 0-8-0 of the 6900 series (I forget the exact number) backed down and coupled onto the open observation car which graced the tail end of the exhibition train. Its purpose was to give the long heavy train a boost up the slight incline to the main line in Bathurst Street Yards. Among several people sitting on the observation platform was Louis K. Liggett, President of the giant drug firm, who seemed to be interested in the 0-8-0's efforts to help the NYC oil burning 4-8-2 back up the train. On reaching the main line, the 6900 locomotive cut off and the streamlined NYC No. 2873 proceeded east towards Montreal. Newton Rossiter.

NOTE: It is quite possible the 6922 was assigned to the North Toronto job at the time since it is shown here backing off the shop track headed east. Most Lambton yard engines were headed west.

3507 on Lambton shop track. December 5, 1957 W.G.Carruthers/D.M.More collection

One of a number of M4 class 2-8-0's assigned to Lambton for yard service there and at out-of-town points, Mac Tier, Port Mc.Nicoll and Trenton. In the late 1950's Trenton had two yard engines, long-time Parkdale
U3 0-6-0 6271 and an M4 class engine 3507. Trenton also had 3484 (likely there when this photo was taken).

5750 on the Parkdale Transfer handling its van (the only switching transfers were required to do), at Scarlett Road end of Lambton Yard, on a cold clear day in December 1951. J. Walder/J. Riddell Collection
These R2 class 2-10-0's were rebuilt at Angus years ago from 0-6-6-0's.
The fireman was, I (RLK) believe, my grandfather the late J.H. (Johnny) Jackson.

7020 brand new, first Toronto diesel, shown at the RIP track, West Toronto. Derek Boles collection
S-2 1000 HP Alco #72855 9/44

Extra 7044 West a way freight just out of Lambton, west of Scarlett Road passing Lambton Park on the westward track of the Galt Sub. and approaching the Humber River bridge. Note the early paint scheme.
April 11, 1955. David M. More

Randy Masales Collection

6525 MLW 660HP S3 in Here Yard 11 at Lambton, where units were once refueled on track 13 in foreground
A pump house on a flat car (note roof at left) took fuel from tank cars. On nose of unit is an old wooden low-side gondola used for garbage which was dumped in Port Mc.Nicoll (at one time, Leaside). November 1955.

Randy Masales Collection

7077 MLW 1000HP S-2 on Lambton shop track. Equipped for road service, it worked local way freights etc. Note road features: combination pilot, illuminated front number board, classification lamps and chime air horn.
In the background are two 2200's, at right is 2236, sitting on the ashpit and likely just arrived off an Orr's Lake push, while the 2236 on the ready track appears to be an Assist to Orr's Lake for a West train. Nov.1955.
This was the first diesel delivered by Montreal Locomotive Works, in June 1948 following two weeks of display at the CNE in Toronto. It was retired 36 years later in August 1984 and donated in October to the Canadian Railway Museum in Delson, Quebec, now Exporail.

Script lettering on 6615 S-11 660 hp MLW #82420 6/59
Shop track at old West Toronto roundhouse. July 20, 1978 Doug Kroll

A low point came in the early 1980's when 660HP MLW S3's were used on the two Lead jobs at Lambton. Some 660HP units, long overdue overhaul, were equipped with stack arrestor and roof-mounted deflectors in an attempt to offset exhaust fumes in the cab. Shown here is 6523, last overhauled Angus 6/70 (retired 2/83), before and after modernized with roller bearing trucks which it received off 6525 retired 2/81. R.L.Kennedy

6538 was one of the last units in old tuscan red and grey and with block lettering, (painted 9/74), equipped for road (way freight) service. Note combination pilot, front mounted illuminated number box, and chime air horn. Also equipped with Watchman heater, note housing and stack in front of cab window. 6538 was retired July 1985 at age 30 years! R.L.Kennedy

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