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Engine 103: At Gage Park20th Century, Circa 1970
Gage Park, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Charles Doubrough
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TH&B locomotive 103 was retired in 1956 but was spared from the scrap yard by an agreement between the railway and the City of Hamilton. It was accepted by the Hamilton Parks Board in 1956 and moved to the south side of Gage Park where it became a landmark piece for a generation of people in Hamilton.3
Even in retirement the 103 was still used by the TH&B. Their sidings ran along Lawrence Ave. past Gage Park where the old locomotive could be easily seen by engineers. Dispatchers used it as a waypoint when shunting cars and "Push'em back as far as the ol' 103" was common radio chatter.4
Engine 103: At Gage Park20th Century, Circa 1960s
Gage Park, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Westfield Heritage Village Collection
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Engine 103: At Gage Park20th Century, Circa 1960s
Gage Park, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Charles Doubrough
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Engine 103: At Gage Park20th Century, Circa 1960s
Gage Park, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Westfield Heritage Village Collection
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Engine 103: At Gage Park20th Century, Circa 1960s
Gage Park, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Westfield Heritage Village Collection
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Engine 103: At Gage Park20th Century, Circa 1960s
Gage Park, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Westfield Heritage Village Collection
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Engine 103: At Gage Park1956-1977
Gage Park, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Many visitors to Westfield Heritage Village, where the 103 now rests, reminisce about climbing on the old engine when it was in Gage Park. As rewarding as that experience was for them, it was rather punishing for the locomotive.11
Engine 103: At Gage Park20th Century, Circa 1970s
Gage Park, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Charles Doubrough
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Engine 103: At Gage Park20th Century, Circa 1970s
Gage Park, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Charles Doubrough
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The lack of security in the park left the engine vulnerable to vandals and thieves who broke lights and windows and stole brass fittings for their salvage value. The locomotive was fenced in by the Parks department and was receiving some care from Parks and the Upper Canada Railway Society but they didn't have the facilities or the budget to support an effective maintenance program.14
Engine 103: At Gage Park20th Century, Circa 1960s
Gage Park, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Charles Doubrough
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