Waterloo Central Railway in Ontario, Canada, has announced that it is to buy steam locomotive No. 1238. The loco is a former Canadian Pacific Railway G5c class 4-6-2 ‘Pacific’ type.

The locomotive was built by the Montreal Locomotive Works in 1946, and hauled passenger and then freight trains in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario.

In December 1964, it was bought by steam locomotive historian George M. Hart and moved to York, Pennsylvania, where it returned to service in 1966 hauling excursion trains.

It will return to Canada in good condition but does need some restoration work in order to be ready for service, at which time it will be the second largest operating steam locomotive in the country.

The Railway needs to raise $150,000 by 25 December this year in order to complete the purchase and to start the restoration work.

You can click here to find out how to donate.

Since 2007, Waterloo Central Railway has been operated by the Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society (SOLRS), a not-for-profit, registered charitable organisation.