Canadian Pacific Railway

M Class 2-8-0 Consolidation type

M1a class (3200-3245) 3216 cyl. 20" x 26" drv. 57" CPR New Shops #1293 10/1899. Rebuilt 5/1911 Scrap 6/1945.
These engines were built with Belpair boiler as compound engines with 21" & 33" x 26" cylinders. Rebuilt as superheated simple engines. A number of them lasted into WWII. Note bigger tender and footboards. A good looking little engine.
Penticton BC August 1943 Bud Laws Collection

M2d class (3250-3305) 3274 cyl. 20" x 26" drv.57" CLC #488 6/1900 Rebuilt 5/1912 Scrap 12/1946
These too were built as compound engines and likewise rebuilt same as M1 class. Original tender converted to oil firing.
Wellington, VI Bud Laws Collection

M4 Class

What is most interesting about these M4 class engines (and, D-10's) as seen over the years is their numerous differences in spite of having the same specifications. Built by different companies they were near identical engines mechanically. Some of the many differences include tender size/style, headlight type and location. Some kept the old style headlight mounted atop the smokebox rather than centered on the door. This kept the beam higher and therefore out of the eyes of yardmen switching. Old style v-shaped dual and newer single flat illuminated number board. Bell mounted above the top check valve, a CPR design and at a separate location between the sand and steam domes. Single or compound air "pump" or, compressor.
Old style kerosene (coal oil) classification lamps with blinders to hide two lenses from view.
Footboards were required by Collective Agreement with the union when assigned to yard service. Easily changed out.
Many engines were equipped with tenders more suitable for yard or road switching not having flaring to block view to the rear. All were 5,000 gallons water capacity and 10 tons of coal.
Thirty engines were later rebuilt into V4 class 0-8-0 yard engines, renumbered 6920-6949. These engines had lower 53 inch drivers and were rated at 41,700 (42%) t.e.rather than 36%. Further rebuilds were stopped and many of the 2-8-0's already in yard service simply continued such work, some until the last years of steam.

M4a class 3400 first of 166 (3400-3565) of these durable engines, a number of which lasted until the last years of steam.
Cyl. 21" x 28" Drv. 58" Press. 200 lbs. t.e. 36,200 lbs. (36%) MLW 29863 10/1904
Note the old style oil classification lamps (with blinders) converted to electric.
Note the tiny yard headlight designed to counter visibility problems for yardmen due to fog in Vancouver. See also 3449.
Drake Street Vancouver September 28, 1941 Bud Laws Collection

3403 Note the different location of the bell no longer affixed to the top check valve. Single air pump. High-mounted headlight, rear headlight and footboards for yard service. MLW 29866 10/1904 Sutherland SK August 1948 Bud Laws Collection

3406 with mountain territory wooden pilot fitted to ease removal on the road in an emergency after hitting an obstruction such as fallen rocks. The usual boiler tube type would be bent up and difficult to remove in order to allow the train to proceed. Newer style electric classification lamps. Compound air compressor. New Westminister June 1938 Bud Laws Collection

What's wrong here? Nothing really. For some years a few Western Lines M4 class engines used in yard service had their pilot truck removed making them an 0-8-0. The exact reason is uncertain since it would throw extra weight on the front pair of drivers and increase wear offsetting any "savings" from not having to maintain the pony truck. Of course, it insured the engine wouldn't be used in road service if short of power. It is said the trucks were kept handy in case any officials showed up from Montreal! 3407 Sutherland, Sask. November 8, 1938 Bud Laws Collection

M4d 3421 one of twenty engines (3421-3440) built in USA by Schenectady #30273 10/1904
Lambton June 4, 1939 Bud Laws Collection

3421 unchanged years later. London October 1953 Bud Laws Collection

3425 in yard service. St.John, New Brunswick. October 1947 Bud Laws Collection

3426 still with a single air "pump" and old style high mounted headlight and bell mount. Whistle shroud to direct sound away from crew. Note Canadian-only combination pilot. Ottawa October 15, 1958 Dick George/Paterson-George Collection.

3432 in yard service. Note rear headlight. Brandon, Man. 2nd week of June 1941 Bud Laws Collection

M4e 3449 one of ten engines (3441-3450) built by CPR Angus Shops. #1465 6/1906
Cylinders 22 1/2" x 28" boiler pressure 180 pounds per square inch. Tractive effort 37,400 pounds (36%).

Note the unique headlight designed to counter visibility problems for yardmen due to fog in Vancouver. What is that box on the pilot for? Note the galvanized tin drinking water pail on the ground near cab steps. It was put in a special compartment in the tender behind the fireman. A block of ice kept it cool. One common pail for three men was all there was and the lid was its own drinking "cup" shared by everyone! Vancouver October 19, 1942. Bud Laws Collection

M4f 3455 another sub-class of ten engines (3441-3450) built by CPR. Very old style headlight converted from oil (note the air vent). Converted oil (to electric) switchlamps with blinders used as classification lights. Wooden pilot. Road type tender.
Penticton April 1938 Bud Laws Collection

M4g 3491 just out of yard service and looking good. Note the slope back switcher tender off a yard engine.
July 19, 1949 North Bay George W. Parks/Bruce Chapman Collection.

3498 another M4g with a slope back tender off a switcher.
Farnham, Que. October 13,1947 George W. Parks Collection/courtesy of Bruce Chapman

M4g 3521 (3506-3530) built by Baldwin #31052 6/1907 Lyndonville, VT. Bud Laws Collection

Baldwin Locomotive Works built 25 of these Consolidations in 1907, most lasted until the 1950's except for three including the 3512 lost in January 1947 off a barge into the very deep Slocan Lake in BC.

3524 with old style trucks. Lyndonville, Vermont Bud Laws Collection

3524 left side. Footboards. Compound air compressor. New type tender trucks.
Montreal September 1, 1949 Bud Laws Collection

3525 engineer and fireman posing (blower on heavy) at unknown roundhouse. Bud Laws Collection

3527 dead yard engine. Lyndonville, Vermont Bud Laws Collection

3528 switching in Ottawa June 1946 Bud Laws Collection

3528 with its replacement, 7088 a brand new MLW S-2 the first diesel in Ottawa. 2/21/49 Canadian Pacific

3529 Class M4g 2-8-0 Cyl. 22 1/2" x 28" Drv. 58" Press. 180 lbs. T.E. 37,400 BLW #31255 7/07
51 years old and still going! Brownville Junction, Maine. October 25, 1958 Joseph Testagrose Collection

Another view of 3529 fifteen years earlier during World War II (note billboard).
St.Johnsbury,VT July 1943 Bud Laws Collection

M4h 3553 in yard service, and equipped with a slope back tender off a switcher.
Smiths Falls July 5, 1947 George Parks Collection/courtesy Bruce Chapman