New Location at Kettle Valley Steam Railway, Summerland, BC, Canada
This locomotive was originally built in 1912 by Montreal Locomotive Works as #3916, Class N3b. It was built as a coal-burning locomotive. #3916 was rebuilt in 1929 and given a new class and number, N2b #3716. Her home for many years was the Kootenay's, and #3716 ran many miles in the Crowsnest area of southern British Columbia / Alberta. Later in its career, it was converted from coal to oil. Having been saved by the scrapper's torch, #3716 went to the City of Port Coquitlam in 1966. #3716 was restored back to operating condition by 1975 at CPR's Drake Street shops. #3716 worked on the Provincial Museum train touring the province and made a trip on the Kettle Valley in 1977, including Summerland and the Osoyoos branch of the KVR. #3716 starred in many movies and commericals over the years including "The Grey Fox", a movie about Bill Miner, and "The Journey of Natty Gann", a Walt Disney Production. #3716 ran charters to 100 Mile House and worked as a backup to the "Royal Hudson" #2860 until its operating career on BC Rail ended in April 2001.
The train will run in July and August of 2004 (Website: http://www.kettlevalleyrail.org)
The locomotive, out of service for two years, has been leased to KVR for 15 years at a $1 a year. This steam locomotive, was disassembled and sent on three tractor trailer trucks to the Kettle Valley Steam Railway at Summerland, BC on March 2003. Plans call for a seven day a week operation in July and August of 2004. (Update at May 2003)
