Protect Engine
Passenger trains were the premier showcase for Canadian
Pacific and as such great attention was paid to them with precautions
taken to ensure their operation "On Time". One of these precautions
was the use of "protect" engines. Unlike freight trains, passenger
trains had their locomotives assigned to them and there was ample time
between assignment to ensure thorough maintenance and proper cleaning.
However, as a further precaution most trains being dispatched from main
terminals had a second or protect engine standing by in case of last
minute trouble with the assigned engine. There were even "protect"
engines at many division points en route that were kept steamed up and
ready to go on short notice.
At John Street for instance the procedure was for early
dispatches to be "protected" by later assigned engines in
domino fashion. This applied to diesels as well as steam and sometimes
for steam to be the last choice. It depended on the importance of the
train and the size of locomotive required. In later years, at least
two completely spare steam locomotives were kept under steam, often
a G5 class light Pacific and a G3 heavy Pacific. Branch lines such as
to Orangeville and Owen Sound could only handle a light engine such
as a G5 class 1200.
At least one protect engine would usually be turned out
of the "house" well ahead of time to guard against failure
of the turntable, rare as that might be.
