Dominion Atlantic Railway Steam Locomotive No. 999, Fronsac

Locomotive No. 999 at Windsor with DAR paint scheme, circa 1938.

No. 999 is notable as being among the first D10s to arrive on the DAR in 1937 and the only surviving DAR steam locomotive today.

The locomotive was built by the Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) in May of 1912 (Serial Number 50973) as a D10h locomotive. Briefly numbered CPR 2774, it was renumbered as No. 999 in March 1913.^[1] No. 999 first worked in Eastern Ontario out of Smith’s Falls in 1916 and Ottawa in 1930. ^[2]

No. 999 arrived on the DAR in May 1937^[3], one of the first batch of four D10s to arrive in Nova Scotia, along with No. 1018, No. 1041 and No. 1090. No. 999 stood out on the DAR with its semi-streamlined skirt under the cab and its single cylinder air compressor. It was also the only DAR D10, along with No. 1090, to use a Johnson bar reversing mechanism. This made 999 somewhat unpopular with crews due to the physical demands of the Johnson bar reversing action compared to the power reverse or screw reverse mechanism on the other D10s.^[4] However, for for veteran engineer Cyril White, the long service of venerable 999 made the locomotive one of his favourite memories.^[5]

The DAR initially used No. 999 on passenger runs to Halifax, but with the arrival of larger and more powerful 4-6-2 Pacific locomotives, No. 999 and the other D10s on the DAR were used on the line's mainline freight service as well as hauling heavy gypsum trains. No. 999 arrived with a CPR paint scheme and lettering but was painted in DAR's Land of Evangeline red paint scheme with a silver smoke box in 1938.^[6] Although named "Fronsac", no name plate appears to have been affixed to the locomotive, based on known photographs. It is listed as a D.A.R. unit in both 1941^[7] and 1947.^[8] The locomotive was repainted in black with CPR lettering during World War II. The Evangeline herald was returned to the black paint scheme about 1950. A replacement tender was added about 1949 and the streamlined skirting was cut down. The locomotive was reassigned to the London, Ontario area in July 1953.^[9] In Ontario service, a cross compound air compressor replaced the single cylinder compressor and the triangular number board was replaced with a simple flat number board. Near the end of its career the cowcatcher style pilot was replaced with a switching pilot.

The locomotive inspired a float in the Apple Blossom Festival in the early 1970s, a large replica built by Bill Cross with help from the Jaycees and Jaycettes.^[10]

No. 999 was donated by the CPR to the Canadian Railway Historical Association in 1960.^[11] Today it is preserved by Canadian Railway Museum, Exporail museum in Delson, Quebec and is the only DAR steam locomotive to have been preserved. Displayed outside for several decades, it was moved inside for better preservation. However, she currently resides in building 6 at the museum which is off limits to the viewing public. Currently Expo Rail doesn't have the funds to restore her so she can go back on display for the public to enjoy.^[12]

Gallery

The Five Locomotive Line-up, Side View, of locomotives No. 2552, No. 999, No. 544, No. 32 and No. 25 posed in the Kentville Railyard, May 14, 1937.
The Five Locomotive Line-up, Head-On View, of locomotives No. 2552, No. 999, No. 544, No. 32 and No. 25 posed in the Kentville Railyard, May 14, 1937.
Locomotive No. 999 takes water at the Windsor Water Tower sporting its new custom DAR paint scheme, circa 1938.
No. 999 at Truro on May 21, 1941.
DAR Locomotive No. 999 with ballast train at the Round Hill Ballast Pit, July 1941.
Locomotive No. 999 with a ballast train and Lidgerwood Unloader at the Grand Pre Station, circa 1940s.
Locomotive No. 999 in Windsor with the L. A. Armstrong Apple Warehouse in the background, circa 1945.
No. 999 at Truro in 1946. Note old tender.
No. 990 at Truro, March 7 1946.
No. 999 at Kentville, date unknown. Note new tender.
Double-header gypsum train crossing the Avon River at Windsor, circa 1948. 1st engine is No. 1018. 2nd engine is No. 999.
No. 1041 taking on water at the Windsor Water Tower while No.'s 1018 & 999 wait in August 1949.
At Windsor in August 1949. CP Livery.
No. 999 leading a plaster train from Windsor to Annapolis Royal in August 1951. Note the D.A.R livery.
Locomotive No. 999 at the West Toronto Yard, June 30, 1955.
No. 999 in Toronto in May 1959.
No. 999 at the Canadian Railway Museum, Delson Quebec, photographed by Hugh Llewelyn, Aug. 1970.
No. 999 at the Canadian Railway Museum in Delson, Quebec, 1982.
At the Delson Museum 2001.