Canadian Pacific Railway

G2 class 4-6-2 Pacific

G2a 1151 as originally built 1/06 by Angus. Later rebuilt as G2p 2501.

There were 166 (2500-2665) G2 class 4-6-2 Pacific type steam locomotives built between January 1906 and June 1914. Most were built by the CPR at Angus Shops however, 46 were built by Montreal Locomotives Works and 2 by Schenectady Locomotive Works.

Designed and built for passenger service largely to replace smaller Ten-wheelers many wound up in freight service in later years displaced by even bigger and better engines. Most of these capable locomotives lasted until dieselization although, only one still exists, 2634 displayed at Moose Jaw.

Starting in 1918 and continuing for about 12 years (ending in the Depression) these locomotives were rebuilt with many receiving new cylinders of different sizes, new boilers and frames.

Original boiler 200 lb. with 21" x 28" cylinders (21)
Original boiler 200 lb. with 22 ½" x 28" cylinders. (89)

New boiler 200 lbs. 22 ½" x 28" (2)

New boiler 225 lbs. 21 ¼" x 28" (6)

New boiler 250 lbs. 20" x 28" (48)

Built with open cabs they were later rebuilt with vestibule cabs. All were coal and hand fired. A few were only rated at 30% (30,000 t.e.) but, most were 34%. All had 70" diameter drivers. Tenders were originally of 5,000 gallon capacity later, many got 7,000 or 8,000 gallon 12 ton tenders. Some got 10,000 gallon 18 ton tenders although a few retained their 5,000 gallon tenders. Some were equipped with Elesco feedwater heaters, some Worthington and some didn't have a feedwater heater. All were built with the CPR's own Vaughan-Horsey superheaters. Most were rebuilt with Type A or Type E superheaters. Some had screw reverser, some lever and some were power equipped.

The many variations of these locomotives as well as the 75" driver G1 class which had far more varieties in only 39 locomotives (2200-2238), all had led to the eventual choice of specifications for the modern G5 class. The G5's were all built with standard features including 20" x 28" cylinders 70" drivers 34% t.e. 8,000 gal. 14 ton tenders Type A superheater and mechanical stoker.

G2r 2520 rebuilt 12/26 with new boiler 225lbs. 21.25" x 28" cylinders. CPR 7/07
Sutherland, SK November 1938 Bud Laws Collection. Note the cinder cars on depressed track in foreground.
Long before recycling became a fad the CPR reused these cinders as ballast in yards and on secondary tracks.

G2r 2523 rebuilt 12/29 with new boiler 250 lbs. 20" x 28" cyl. CPR 7/07
Sutherland, SK August 16, 1936 Bud Laws Collection

G2q 2524 rebuilt 12/29 still with old boiler 200 lbs. new 22.5" x 28" cyl. CPR 8/07
No. 52 Great West Express leaving Sutherland, SK. October 24, 1938 Bud Laws Collection

G2s 2539 was once assigned to Montreal commuter service along with six other G2 Pacifics equipped with a second dynamo to provide electricity to coaches. An early form of HEP! Downgraded to freight service following replacement by much newer G3 class Pacifics themselves downgraded by new diesels. Montreal. 3-29-58 Joseph Testagrose Collection

G2s 2547 rebuilt 10/25 still with old boiler 200 lbs. new cylinders 22.5" x 28" no FWH CPR 11/08
Still with open cab and small tender. Lambton (Toronto) shop track. June 4, 1939 Bud Laws Collection

G2s 2572 rebuilt 12/29 new boiler 250 lbs. 20" x 28" cyl. MLW 46065 6/09
Sutherland, SK October 7, 1938 Bud Laws Collection

G2s 2575 on Train 319 ready to leave for Shaunavon. Mixed train equipment on next track.
Shed and team tracks in foreground. c.1951 Assiniboia SK Ron Bearman

G2s 2582 with original small 5,000 gallon tender. Rebuilt 8/23 new 250 lbs. boiler 20" x 28" cyl.
Smiths Falls 1955 Addy Schwalm /Bruce Chapman Collection

Here she is again, this time at Ottawa West in company with new RS-10 8481 delivered 4-28-55. Ron Visockis Collection

Here is 2582 three years later as a London engine with a standard size 7,000 gallon tender. London August 4, 1958
Ray Deschenes/Bruce Chapman Collection

Passenger Extra 2663 at Joliette, Que. 10-4-58 Joseph Testagrose Collection

This was the third to the last of 166 G2 class Pacifics built by the CPR and MLW from 1902. G2u CPR June 1914.
Sister engine 2664 (without a FWH) worked out of Lambton at the same time and was the only G2 assigned there.