Object Record
Images
Additional Images [8]
Metadata
Name |
CPR 8921 The Empress of Agincourt |
Nomenclature |
Locomotive, Diesel-Electric |
Catalog Number |
RS1997.001.001 |
Description |
Known as the Empress of Agincourt, Canadian Pacific 8921 is a 2400 HP diesel locomotive built in 1957 by the Montreal Locomotive Works, the only of this class, RSD-17 ever built. Serial number 81603. The front hood was cut down to increase visibility in 1988 and the locomotive was retired in 1995. CP 8921 was nicknamed the "Empress of Agincourt" as it had a reputation for breaking down and spent a lot of time in the Agincourt rail yards (near Toronto) due to the ineffective wheel alignment changes it underwent. Built by Montreal Locomotive Works in 1957, it was originally loaned to the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) from May-December of 1957 with the road number #7007. It was then transferred to Canadian National (CN) for testing and was renumbered #3899. CN only had this locomotive for four months when they rented it out to the Pacific Great Eastern (now BC Rail) until October of 1958 under road number #624. Finally, in 1959, CPR purchased the locomotive and gave it its current number: #8921. In 1988, CP8921 went through radical cosmetic alterations when CPR chopped the nose hood in order to increase frontal visibility. This modification also granted it the nickname of an "alligator". In 1995, CPR was forced to retire the locomotive due to irreparable truck problems (the truck is the lower carriage piece that connects to the wheels). However, realizing the historic value of #8921, CPR endeavoured to find a group willing to preserve it. Fortunately, in 1997, #8921 was donated to the Elgin County Railway Museum where it underwent a major cosmetic paint job in 2007. This was made possible by a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (which paid for the sandblasting and primer), Sterling employees (who donated their time), and DuPont Paint Company (which donated $47,000 worth of paint). |
Date |
1957 |
Material |
Iron/Sheet metal/Steel/Paint/Plastic/Glass/Wood |
Place of Origin |
Montreal, QC, Canada |
Made |
Montreal Locomotive Works |
Owned |
CPR |
Status |
On Permanent Display |