By Railfan & Railroad Staff

The VIA Historical Association announced this week that it was raising $250,000 to purchase and restore a former VIA Rail FP9A locomotive from the Ontario Southland Railway. 

If the non-profit is successful, the locomotive (currently OSR 1400, but originally CN/VIA 6539) will lead a planned exhibit train to mark VIA’s 50th anniversary in 2028. This would be the first time in history that an F-unit was restored to operation in VIA colors. VHA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with OSR to acquire the locomotive. OSR has also agreed to donate back almost half of the locomotive’s purchase price to the non-profit. 

Locomotive 6539 was one of 43 FP9A locomotives built by General Motors Diesel in London, Ont., between 1954 and 1958. Originally built for Canadian National, the FP9A locomotives hauled trains all over Canada. It was later transferred to VIA in 1978 and then rebuilt in the 1980s to an FP9ARM. It was then renumbered 6303. Among the major aspects of this rebuilding was the application of 645-series power assemblies, upgrading the unit’s original 567-series engine and increasing horsepower from 1,750 to 1,800.

VHA President Jason Shron said the $250,000 the group hopes to raise will cover the cost of purchasing, restoring, repainting, moving and maintaining the locomotive. An anonymous benefactor has already agreed to match any donation up to $125,000. Donations can be made online. 

VHA has partnered with other groups to save and restore pieces of VIA equipment, including an LRC, a sleeping car and RDCs.