US-3008657 Canadian Pacific 2317

This locomotive #2317 was built in 1923 for the Canadian Pacific Railway for use as a fast express passenger train.

Its wheel configuration is 4-6-2 and it runs on 4 ft 8 ½in (1,435 mm) gauge. Upon its retirement from active service in 1959, this Class G-3 locomotive was placed into storage and in 1965 was bought by a steam locomotive enthusiast, F. Nelson Blount, for his Steamtown, U.S.A. collection.

In 1978, #2317 was restored to operating condition and joined Steamtown's operating fleet. It ran on the former Delaware, Lackawanna and Western mainline between Scranton and Elmhurst, Pennsylvania. In 1987 when the National Park Service took over the running of Steamtown, #2317 was repainted into the livery it wore in active service with Canadian Pacific.

Until 2004, #2317 would often pull Steamtown's excursions in tandem with #3254. When problems with its trailing truck, dry pipe and tires were found it was used only (till 2007) for pulling yard shuttle trains. After the end of the 2009 operating season, #2317 was used only sparingly as its flue-time was running short. #2317 last ran during Steamtown's 2010 Lackawanna Railfest. After which, #2317 was placed into storage in the Steamtown Roundhouse and currently awaits FRA-mandated repairs before it can operate again.

This postcard was sent by Dane (13 October 2014) Postcrossing and shows Canadian Pacific 2317 running between Scranton and Elmhurst, Pennsylvania probably in the period before 2004.