Donald Broadbear

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of the founding members of the Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society (SOLRS). On February 21st the Waterloo Central Railway (WCR) and SOLRS lost a good friend with his passing at the age of 92. Donald Broadbear (Don) followed in his fathers’ footsteps and joined the Canadian Pacific Railway at the age of 17. Don served with the railway for 42 years. Don is remembered for his many ventures with tourist railways and most notably in the saving of WCR locomotive #9 from being scrapped. Don and a team of volunteers at Port Stanley lovingly brought #9 back to life. Don was also a founding member of SOLRS and WCR. In 2008 Don was instrumental in the building of our current maintenance facility. It was at this point #9 was moved to St. Jacobs where Don served as Chief Mechanical officer. Don was always a willing coach to anyone interested in the restoration and the running of the locomotive. Don taught many of us the intricacies of firing and driving #9. Don was also an inductee to the North American Railway Hall of Fame. Don will always be remembered by the team at St. Jacobs for his passion and dedication to the preservation of railway heritage.