Canadian National class S 2-8-2

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Canadian National Class S 2-8-2 locomotives

The CN Class S were large steam freight engines with a 2-8-2 wheel arrangement. Built from 1913 to 1936, 466 were produced for use by the Grand Trunk Railway, Canadian Government Railways, and eventually Canadian National Railway. They were designed to handle relatively tight curves on Canadian tracks.

Subclasses S-3 and S-4 used higher-pressure boilers with smaller cylinders to improve efficiency and power, while keeping a familiar overall design. The Class S remained in freight service until diesel locomotives took over, with retirement occurring mainly between 1958 and 1961. In 1956, 53 engines were renumbered to the 4045–4097 range.

Preservation and disposition: Three locomotives from the class have survived into preservation—numbers 3563, 3254, and 3377. The rest were scrapped or used for parts. Notable histories include No. 3254’s excursion work around Gettysburg in the 1980s before joining Steamtown, and No. 3377 serving as a source of spare parts for 3254.