An introduction to the model
by Terry Walker
By 1954 Lines Bros. (Canada) Ltd. had been in existence for seven years. Sales from across the whole of the Tri-ang range of models continued to make poor profits for the parent company in the UK. As part of an overall strategy to improve sales in Canada, a decision was taken to introduce a new range of model railway products, aimed specifically at the Canadian market; thus, the 'Transcontinental' series of models came into being. The models were created from poor quality magazine photographs, shape and scale were not given adequate consideration and production was rushed so that sets could be in the shops for Christmas 1954.
Suitable locomotives had to be designed and manufactured and the first of these was R.54, a 4-6-2 Pacific steam engine. The model was based on a Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) prototype, and although designed from a photograph only, was a fairly reasonable representation of this engine. Considering the fact that it was aimed at 'train set buyers' it is not really fair to compare it with today's scale models - the cylinders were of an incorrect size and location, and the HO scale body had to be lengthened to fit on the already-existing OO scale 4-6-2 Princess chassis. Aside from this, it certainly was a much more believable attempt at the model than the generic R.55 North American diesel that followed it.
Suitable locomotives had to be designed and manufactured and the first of these was R.54, a 4-6-2 Pacific steam engine. The model was based on a Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) prototype, and although designed from a photograph only, was a fairly reasonable representation of this engine. Considering the fact that it was aimed at 'train set buyers' it is not really fair to compare it with today's scale models - the cylinders were of an incorrect size and location, and the HO scale body had to be lengthened to fit on the already-existing OO scale 4-6-2 Princess chassis. Aside from this, it certainly was a much more believable attempt at the model than the generic R.55 North American diesel that followed it.
In 1962, the model was given the name 'Hiawatha'; this was a North American Indian name, although not Canadian. The Milwaukee Road railway in the northern United States used this name for its top passenger train, and it's possible that this is where the Margate design department found it.
There is, however, a Canadian connection, of sorts: the Milwaukee Road eventually sold some of its Hiawatha passenger car stock to Canadian National Railways (CNR). This included the unique full-length dome cars and the trademark tail-end observation car, which was in all likelihood the prototype for the Tri-ang Railways Transcontinental first series R.125 Passenger Observation Coach.
There is, however, a Canadian connection, of sorts: the Milwaukee Road eventually sold some of its Hiawatha passenger car stock to Canadian National Railways (CNR). This included the unique full-length dome cars and the trademark tail-end observation car, which was in all likelihood the prototype for the Tri-ang Railways Transcontinental first series R.125 Passenger Observation Coach.
Tri-ang Railways Transcontinental 4-6-2 Steam Locomotives
- available in Canada 1954 - 1965
1954 - Loco numbered ‘T.R.2335’ in white, with white lining, Tender numbered ‘2335’ in white, unlined - Cellulose acetate mouldings with cow-catcher as an integral part of the body moulding, clear plastic imitation lamp in smokebox door, mk2 coupling to tender, no front coupling
1956 - Loco numbered ‘T.R.2335’ in white, with white lining, Tender numbered ‘2335’ in white, unlined - Polystyrene mouldings with cow-catcher mounted on front bogie, mk2 couplings, front coupling added
1958 - Tender now with white lining
Late 1958 - New style mk3 couplings introduced
1959 - Working headlight added - an open rivet replaced the clear plastic imitation lamp in the smokebox door
1962 - Loco numbered ‘T.R.2335’ in white, with white lining and ‘HIAWATHA’ nameplates, Tender numbered ‘2335’ in white, with white lining - Magnadhesion,
see-through driving wheels and pony wheels, working headlight, mk3 couplings. Available with or without fitted smoke unit
1956 - Loco numbered ‘T.R.2335’ in white, with white lining, Tender numbered ‘2335’ in white, unlined - Polystyrene mouldings with cow-catcher mounted on front bogie, mk2 couplings, front coupling added
1958 - Tender now with white lining
Late 1958 - New style mk3 couplings introduced
1959 - Working headlight added - an open rivet replaced the clear plastic imitation lamp in the smokebox door
1962 - Loco numbered ‘T.R.2335’ in white, with white lining and ‘HIAWATHA’ nameplates, Tender numbered ‘2335’ in white, with white lining - Magnadhesion,
see-through driving wheels and pony wheels, working headlight, mk3 couplings. Available with or without fitted smoke unit
The model was withdrawn from the UK catalogue at the end of 1963 but continued to be made for sales overseas
Please click on the pictures to view larger images
R.54 Pacific Steam Locomotive - black - T.R.2335 - no front coupling +
R.32 Tender - black - 2335 - mk2 coupling
R.54 Pacific Steam Locomotive - black - T.R.2335 - mk2 coupling +
R.32 Tender - black - 2335 - mk2 coupling
R.54 Pacific Steam Locomotive - black - T.R.2335 - mk3 coupling +
R.32 Tender - black with white lining - 2335 - mk3 coupling
R.54 Pacific Steam Locomotive 'HIAWATHA' - without smoke - black - T.R.2335 and
R.54S Pacific Steam Locomotive 'HIAWATHA' - with smoke - black - T.R.2335 +
R.32 Tender - black with white lining - 2335
Canadian Tri-ang Railways 4-6-2 Steam Locomotives
- timeline from the introduction of Canadian assembled train sets in 1965
1965 - Loco numbered ‘T.R.2335’ in white, with white lining and ‘HIAWATHA’ nameplates, Tender numbered ‘2335’ in white, with white lining - Magnadhesion,
see-through driving wheels and pony wheels, working headlight, mk3 couplings, with fitted smoke unit on all models
Loco and Tender boxed and sold individually in standard window boxes
1967 - (as above) Loco and Tender boxed and sold together in long window box
1968 - Loco now renumbered ‘2335’ in white, with white lining and ‘HIAWATHA’ nameplates, Tender numbered ‘2335’ in white, with white lining (as above)
1968/1969 - Loco now renumbered ‘2335’ in yellow, with white lining and ‘HIAWATHA’ nameplates, Tender numbered ‘2335’ in white, with white lining (as above)
1968/1969 - Tender now numbered ‘2335’ in yellow, no lining
1969 - Loco numbered ‘2335’ in yellow, no lining, Tender now lettered ‘CANADIAN PACIFIC’ in yellow, no lining
1971 - Gresley-style Tender numbered ’2335’ in white, no lining, with exhaust steam sound unit fitted
1972 - Loco renumbered ’1542’ in white, no lining, no working headlight, Gresley-style Tender renumbered ’1542’ in white, no lining
see-through driving wheels and pony wheels, working headlight, mk3 couplings, with fitted smoke unit on all models
Loco and Tender boxed and sold individually in standard window boxes
1967 - (as above) Loco and Tender boxed and sold together in long window box
1968 - Loco now renumbered ‘2335’ in white, with white lining and ‘HIAWATHA’ nameplates, Tender numbered ‘2335’ in white, with white lining (as above)
1968/1969 - Loco now renumbered ‘2335’ in yellow, with white lining and ‘HIAWATHA’ nameplates, Tender numbered ‘2335’ in white, with white lining (as above)
1968/1969 - Tender now numbered ‘2335’ in yellow, no lining
1969 - Loco numbered ‘2335’ in yellow, no lining, Tender now lettered ‘CANADIAN PACIFIC’ in yellow, no lining
1971 - Gresley-style Tender numbered ’2335’ in white, no lining, with exhaust steam sound unit fitted
1972 - Loco renumbered ’1542’ in white, no lining, no working headlight, Gresley-style Tender renumbered ’1542’ in white, no lining
R.54S Pacific Steam Locomotive 'HIAWATHA' - with smoke - black - T.R.2335 + R.32 Tender - black with white lining - 2335
The model with 'HIAWATHA' nameplates was first introduced in the UK in 1962; it continued to be available in 1963. Whilst it was dropped from the UK catalogue in 1964 it continued to be made for overseas markets, including Canada.
R.54S 4-6-2 HIAWATHA LOCO & R.32 TENDER
Canadian issue long window box - (locomotive and tender as before)
R.54S Pacific Steam Locomotive 'HIAWATHA' - with smoke - black - 2335 + R.32C / R.32CP Tender - black - 'CANADIAN PACIFIC'
Locomotive with white numbering and lining, tender with yellow lettering
This short-lived version of the locomotive originally carried the 'HIAWATHA' nameplates; as is very common, these have fallen off this particular model since the adhesive on the back of the paper labels has dried-out with age.
In Canada, tenders were sold separately, particularly the Canadian Pacific tender, so that owners of the earlier 'Hiawatha' locomotives could upgrade their models. In addition, the Canadian company also required the new tenders to upgrade existing unsold stocks of the 'Hiawatha' locomotives therefore an additional 1,800 individual tenders were sent out to Canada in 1969.
In Canada, tenders were sold separately, particularly the Canadian Pacific tender, so that owners of the earlier 'Hiawatha' locomotives could upgrade their models. In addition, the Canadian company also required the new tenders to upgrade existing unsold stocks of the 'Hiawatha' locomotives therefore an additional 1,800 individual tenders were sent out to Canada in 1969.
R.54S Pacific Steam Locomotive 'HIAWATHA' - with smoke - black - 2335 +
R.32 Tender - black with white lining - 2335
Locomotive with yellow numbering
This is not a pre-production model.
The white lining on the locomotive is correct, the 'HIAWATHA' nameplates are correct and the yellow number '2335' is correct.
The only logical explanation that can be offered is that this model comes from the change-over period from the Transcontinental 'HIAWATHA' models to the Canadian Pacific models.
It is probable that there may have been a small quantity of remainder stock of unfinished white-lined bodies in the factory which required the numbers applying. The old number tool 'T.R.2335' was no longer available so the new number tool was used.
But, the yellow coloured number really does look very peculiar against the white lining of the locomotive and the white numbers and lining on the tender!
The white lining on the locomotive is correct, the 'HIAWATHA' nameplates are correct and the yellow number '2335' is correct.
The only logical explanation that can be offered is that this model comes from the change-over period from the Transcontinental 'HIAWATHA' models to the Canadian Pacific models.
It is probable that there may have been a small quantity of remainder stock of unfinished white-lined bodies in the factory which required the numbers applying. The old number tool 'T.R.2335' was no longer available so the new number tool was used.
But, the yellow coloured number really does look very peculiar against the white lining of the locomotive and the white numbers and lining on the tender!
R.54SC / R.54SCP Pacific Steam Locomotive 'HIAWATHA' - with smoke - black - 2335 + R.32 Tender - black - 2335
Locomotive and tender with yellow numbering
A rare combination of the locomotive and tender, both with yellow numbers. This is an early example of this locomotive and there is evidence that it originally carried the 'HIAWATHA' nameplates; again, these have fallen off this particular model as the adhesive on the back of the paper labels has dried-out with age.
It is likely that the Tender with yellow '2335' numbering was only ever sold as an individual item in Canada.
It is likely that the Tender with yellow '2335' numbering was only ever sold as an individual item in Canada.
R.54SC / R.54S CP / R.0542S Pacific Steam Locomotive - with smoke - black - 2335 + R.32C / R.32CP Tender - black - 'CANADIAN PACIFIC'
Yellow numbering and lettering
When the decision was made to introduce CPR-liveried models, R.54 soon lost its 'Hiawatha' name, and became Canadian Pacific 2335. These were available from 1969 to 1971, most of them having yellow numbers and yellow lettering.
Locomotives and Tenders are known to have been sold individually and as one unit (boxed together) as well as being sold unboxed in train sets.
Locomotives and Tenders are known to have been sold individually and as one unit (boxed together) as well as being sold unboxed in train sets.
R.32C Tender - with exhaust steam sound - black - 2335
(Gresley 'Flying Scotsman' style non-corridor tender)
This tender is believed to have been originally destined for the Australian market where the use of this tender with the locomotive, with 'Hiawatha' nameplates, was intended to make it look more like one of their steam locomotives. It now seems that some of these tenders also found their way to Canada. It was issued without buffers.
It is believed that the tender was sold as an individual item so that owners of the 'HIAWATHA' Locomotive could update / convert their existing models to sound.
A fellow collector has recently questioned whether 'you can call a strip and piece of sandpaper an upgrade'. He may well have a valid point!
It is believed that the tender was sold as an individual item so that owners of the 'HIAWATHA' Locomotive could update / convert their existing models to sound.
A fellow collector has recently questioned whether 'you can call a strip and piece of sandpaper an upgrade'. He may well have a valid point!
R.0542S Pacific 4-6-2 Steam Locomotive and Tender - with exhaust steam sound and smoke - black - 1542
(Gresley 'Flying Scotsman' style non-corridor tender)
In 1971, an odd combination of the Pacific Steam Locomotive with an all-black Gresley LNER non-corridor tender appeared in the Canadian catalogue. This was originally intended for Australia and, at that time, Canada decided not to place any orders for the model. However, almost 3,500 examples of the locomotive and tender were sent to Canada in 1972 and a further 1,000 were made in 1973.
Neverwazza !
A superb conversion of the R.54 Pacific Steam Locomotive, in the circa 1935 'new look' passenger paint scheme, by Graeme Brown, with added loco body valance and custom made decals.
Canadian Pacific Railway G3 Class Locomotive - prototype information
by Terry Walker
After the end of the First World War, the CPR found itself in need of larger, more powerful locomotives to handle the new, all-steel heavyweight passenger cars coming into service at that time. It was decided to produce a newer version of the successful G1 and G2 Class Pacifics that had been in service on the CPR well before WW1. Construction of an updated 4-6-2 Pacific design was undertaken at the company's Angus shops in Montreal and the first G3 appeared in July, 1919.
Aside from more power, the new locomotive had larger driving wheels and was stoker-equipped, as opposed to being hand-fired. The first 10 examples were constructed at the Angus shops; after this, the G3s were built by MLW (Montreal Locomotive Works), so they were very much 'Canadian' - both in design and construction.
Aside from more power, the new locomotive had larger driving wheels and was stoker-equipped, as opposed to being hand-fired. The first 10 examples were constructed at the Angus shops; after this, the G3s were built by MLW (Montreal Locomotive Works), so they were very much 'Canadian' - both in design and construction.
Beginning around 1935, the CPR began to apply a new look to their passenger locomotive fleet. This included attaching a valence along the running boards on either side of the boiler which was then painted in an attractive maroon red, lined out in gold. The road number would appear on this valence, also in gold. The tender received a large maroon panel on the sides with gold lining, and CANADIAN PACIFIC in the centre in gold. In addition, cab windows were picked out in red, number plates below the headlight were painted red with yellow figures, and the wheels were outlined with white. Eventually, these locomotives began to be downgraded to freight service. Locomotives were not always returned to their more sombre all-black livery. In later years, it was common to see the locomotives with their passenger paint scheme pulling long freight trains across the Prairies, and elsewhere. It is thought the tender shown behind the photo of 2335 (top of this page) is of an earlier design, which was soon replaced. There remained, however, two different types of tender, although the later, larger version gradually replaced the smaller one. The most obvious spotting difference between these is the number of wheels: the smaller tender had 4-wheel trucks (bogies), while the larger version had 6-wheel trucks. The Tri-ang model is of the smaller tender with its 4-wheel truck arrangement, which in real life carried 18 tons of coal and 10,000 gallons of water. |