A project to fix up the old Mattagami 100 locomotive in Smooth Rock Falls is underway. Town councillor and project leader Patrick Roberts says if all goes well then the work could be completed by the end of September. He adds there have already been some problems for volunteers doing the work.
“We did have issues with asbestos just lately with lead in the train itself,” he said. “Some parts of the train are very toxic. So we’re doing a bit the other day some clean-up. A company is coming in to sandblast the train down.”
Photos supplied by Patrick Roberts, Smooth Rock Falls.
He adds that it’s quite an ambitious project.
“And then they are going to put a couple of coats of black paint,” he said. “The red and white will all be done too/ We have all new fencing being made right now, wrought iron fencing and a nice little gate on it.”
A railway speedcar has been donated to the project and Roberts says that the ONTC is also interested in helping out. The cost of the renovations are being covered by a grant from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and funding from the town.
