Steam locomotive #7470 was built by the Grand Trunk Railway Point St. Charles Shops at Montreal, Quebec, in 1921 with serial #22/1500. It is a coal fired switching locomotive with an 0-6-0 wheel arrangement; it has 51” driving wheels and 22” x 26” cylinders. It develops 36,700 lbs of tractive effort.
Dwight Smith, shown here, was one of the three original owners of Conway Scenic Railroad.
Dwight Smith, shown here, was one of the three original owners of Conway Scenic Railroad.
The weight of the locomotive in working order is 87 tons and the tender weighs 65 tons. The locomotive is equipped with super-heaters. Originally built as Grand Trunk Railway #1795, it soon became Canadian National Railway #7470, Class 0-18-a. It was acquired in 1968 by Dwight Smith, and in 1974 joined the start-up Conway Scenic Railroad as #47. It was renumbered to #7470 in 1989.
In July, #7470 came due for a major, Federally-mandated inspection, which would have meant that she would out of service for about two years while this work is being done.  However, we applied to the Federal Railroad Administration for an extension on this work, and the extension was approved.

In celebration of our 40th anniversary, #7470 was the motive power for all Conway Valley Train excursions August 4 through 8.  She was scheduled to run for three weeks this Fall, and again for “Steam in the Snow” on January 3 before being taken out of service for the required over-haul.   An over-heating axle took her out of service for most of the foliage season, but that issue has been resolved, and we expect to have her back in service again for one more Steam in the Snow event. 

Photo by Debbe Hill
Photo by Debbe Hill
#7470 is the very first locomotive that Conway Scenic owned and operated, and we know that it has a special place in the hearts of many who come to ride on our railroad.  After completion of the required work, we expect to see it operating here for many years to come.
Thank you for your interest in #7470.
Paul Hallett
Operations Manager
Conway Scenic Railroad


To listen to recordings of 7470’s whistles, please click here. August 4, 1974. From the collection of Dwight Smith.