City working to freshen up the Spirit of Windsor

A landmark along Windsor's riverfront is being freshened up.

Crews are now painting and touching up the Spirit of Windsor at Dieppe Park.

Over the next seven weeks, crews will be working to refurbish the 112-year-old locomotive. 

The Pacific Type 4-6-2 steam locomotive saw many years of freight and passenger service for the Canadian National Railway before being retired in 1961. 

In 1962, the Historic Vehicle Society of Ontario (Windsor) launched a public campaign to save "Old 5588" from the scrap heap and to bring it to Windsor for the edification of future generations. 

Christened the "Spirit of Windsor," #5588 was dedicated to the community on May 6, 1965.

Adrian Busa, Manager of Facility Operations, says this is a refurbishment of the existing surface.

"We're just revamping it and making it feel a lot fresher. Having a new paint coating applied to the train and trying to restore it back to its original look, as over time it has weathered over the last several years," he says.

Busa says the last time there was a restoration was around 2009.

"Everything seems to be well intact. They did an excellent job in the past and we're just working off that excellent work and just reviving, having a fresh look for this wonderful locomotive that's been 112 year old locomotive that's been placed at the riverfront," he adds.

Fracas Painting is carrying out the work, which is expected to be complete at the end of June, weather permitting.