DAR0503

Dominion Atlantic Railway Steam Locomotive No. 503 "Alexander"

Formerly DAR No. 45 (1st)

Wheel Arrangement: 4-6-0

Built Schenectady Locomotive Works, Schenectady, New York in November 1902.

• Builder No. 26750
• 20" x 26" cylinders
• 63" drivers.
• 54' 6" engine and tender wheelbase length
• CPR Class: D6a (1)

It was transferred to the DAR in June 1928 as CPR No. 503 and became DAR No. 45, "Clementsport" but was soon renamed "Alexander" - see DAR No. 45 (1st) for details of its earlier career. It was renumbered DAR No. 503 in 1940 as the DAR reverted to CPR style numbers but kept the name "Alexander".(2) It was sold to Canadian Gypsum at Windsor in March 1947.(3)

Name Origins:

• Sir William Alexander, leader of "New Scotland" settlement attempt in 1632 which created Nova Scotia's present name and flag.

Gallery

• 

  No 503 leading the Flying Bluenose, Train No. 123 at the Kentville Station with a CPR refrigerator car in background, circa 1920's.

• 

  Locomotive No 503 at an unknown location, possibly Truro, circa 1930s.

• 

  No. 503 identified as at Truro, April 4, 1943. A second exposure of the shot File:CSTM-MAT000552.jpg?

• 

  Locomotives No 503 and No 541 doubleheading, probably at Kentville in the 1940s.

Known Photographs:

• McQuinn Collection, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Ottawa, N-4031.
• Stephens Collection, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Ottawa, N-8371, N-8372, N-8373
• Mattingly Collection, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Ottawa, MAT000552.

References and Footnotes

(1) Omer Lavallée, Canadian Pacific Steam Locomotives, page 258, 294 & 348.

(2) 1941 Canadian Pacific Railway Summary Of Equipment, Form M.P. 14 - January 1, 1941, page 15.

(3) Jim O'Donnell "Dominion Atlantic Railway Locomotive Roster"

External Links

Number 53 from the collection of Canada Science and Technology Museum. The turbo generator and headlight have been moved,