Guelph needs to move the historic Locomotive 6167

A historic locomotive train in downtown Guelph needs to be moved by the end of next year which has city officials wondering how exactly they're going to accomplish that.

Locomotive 6167, which includes the engine and the tender, weighs more than 220,000 kilograms (449,000 pounds) and is 28 metres long. It's currently sitting on land owned by Metrolinx on Farqhuar Street.

The city has been leasing the property, but Metrolinx told the city in December 2018 it will be terminating the lease agreement. That triggered a part of the agreement that says the locomotive must be moved off the land within two years. Metrolinx plans to extend the south platform for "two-way, all-day GO Transit service," a staff report to council says. Dates for that to happen were not in the report.

Danna Evans, the general manager of culture, tourism and community investment with the city, said in a statement the plan is to move the steam engine to John Galt Park, near the River Run Centre.

"John Galt Park was chosen because the city owns the land, it's close to the train's current location," Evans said. "It can support its weight and won't impact how residents use the park space."

As well, that location would provide improved access and visibility of the train while not greatly impacting people's views of the river, a staff report to council said.

How to move a 220,000 kg train

The train is historically significant because it was originally used as a passenger and freight train based out of Moncton, N.B., and was presented to Guelph as a centennial gift from the Canadian National Railway in 1967. In the mid-2000s, the city restored the locomotive.

It's a quick drive from the current location, but the city says it could cost an estimated $650,000 to move the locomotive. That cost will be considered in the city's 2020 capital budget.

It's also no easy task. City staff say there are two options to move the 79-year-old train: by rail on the locomotive's own wheels or a rail float car or by city roads, moving on a flatbed truck.

The staff report also said council could direct staff to have the locomotive "deaccessioned" either by "gifting or destroying it." If council goes this route, staff say the locomotive could be given to another museum or organization. Staff say this option "is unlikely feasible based on cost and timing."

The report adds, "Alternatively, the city would remove and retain within the civic museum the most historically valuable rail pieces and distribute or destroy the remainder."

The report on what to do with Locomotive 6167 goes before the Guelph council's committee of the whole meeting on Sept. 3.