PLAQUE

Description: 1. TRAIN. 5.3 X 24.0 X 3.4. MODEL OF TRAIN ENGINE. BASE IS BLACK, HAS 2 SETS OF 6 WHEELS THAT SWIVEL. MAIN BODY OF ENGINE IS PAINTED RED WITH "CP RAIL" AND "5838" PAINTED ON SIDES IN WHITE. "5838" IS ALSO ON FRONT AND BACK OF ENGINE. THERE IS A METAL GUARD RAIL AROUND PERIMETER OF ENGINE. ALL COMPONENTS OF ENGINE ARE MOLDED INTO PLASTIC (INCLUDING BOLTS). 2. BASE. 2.2 X 30.5 X 9.3. RECTANGULAR WOOD BASE WITH ONE BEVELED EDGE. TOP AND SIDES OF BASE ARE COVERED WITH CLEAR VARNISH. MOUNTED ON TOP OF BASE IS A MODEL TRAIN TRACK. THERE IS A BRASS PLAQUE ON BEVELED EDGE ETCHED WITH "BUD MCLEAN ------ENTERED SERVICE AUGUST 5, 1946 --------- PROMOTED TO FIREMAN AUGUST 22, 1948 PROMOTED TO ENGINEER OCTOBER 31, 1955 -------- LAST TRIP OCTOBER 21, 1986 RETIRED DECEMBER 1, 1986 ------------ BEST WISHES FROM B. OF L.E. DIV. 750".

History: RETIREMENT GIFT PRESENTED TO DONOR'S FATHER, GEORGE G. MCLEAN (AKA "BUD") FROM THE BROTHERHOOD OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS DIVISION 750, DECEMBER 1986. BUD MCLEAN WAS BORN NEAR EDMONTON, ALBERTA IN 1930 AND GREW UP IN LETHBRIDGE, ATTENDING ST. BASIL'S SCHOOL. THE SON OF A RAILROAD MAN (GEORGE MCLEAN SR) AND ONE OF THE FIRST LADY CUSTOMS OFFICERS, (ELLEN MCLEAN - SEE OTHER DONATIONS IN COLLECTION), BUD STARTED WITH THE CPR IN 1946, WORKING HIS WAY UP TO ENGINEER IN 1955. HE WAS THE LAST STEAM LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER TO JOIN THE ROSTER. ONE OF HIS CHARGES IS NOW ON DISPLAY AT HERITAGE PARK IN CALGARY, ANOTHER IS AT THE HEALTH UNIT IN LETHBRIDGE. HE RETIRED FROM THE CPR IN 1986. BUD MET AND MARRIED HIS WIFE MARJORIE IN LETHBRIDGE IN 1952. THEY HAD 2 CHILDREN, DARLENE AND GRANT MCLEAN. BUD WAS DESCRIBED AS A FAMILY MAN, PARTY TRICKSTER, AND GREAT LOVER OF SPORTS. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE ELKS AND A LONG TIME SUPPORTER OF THE MINERS' LIBRARY CLUB, SERVING ON ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. HE PASSED AWAY IN LETHBRIDGE ON JUNE 14, 2003 AT THE AGE OF 73 YEARS.