314 built by Baldwin #7976 June,1886
One of the second pair of heavy 2-8-0's specifically built
for the Big Hill where railroading was at its most dangerous.
Two examples of just how dangerous it can be seen by two events it is
history. In January of 1889 while handling a 14-car coal train from
Laggan to Field on a frosty night approaching the third safety switch
it became a runaway. Increadibly, the switchman lined the switch for
the main line and the train was doomed. The engine derailed into a cliff
killing the brakeman. The fireman lost both legs and died a few hours
later. The three others survived. Repaired and returned to service it
met a more serious danger in 1894 when eastbound from Field just west
of the Nose Tunnel in Mount Stephen, the crown sheet failed causing
the boiler to explode killing all three. The fireman was found far away
with the injector handle still in his hand. He may well be one of the
men in this photograph. Rebuilt, it carried on until Oct. 1917 when
it was finally retired as 3120.
