The historic 803 CN locomotive engine on the beach in Carbonear has received a reprieve.

The town previously voted to scrap the landmark, which has been sitting outside the railway museum for more than 35 years, after it had fallen into disrepair due to age and corrosion.

Previous attempts to access funding to have the engine restored failed to come to fruition.

The decision created such a passionate outcry from railway and history buffs, that the town last night voted to put plans to dismantle and remove the engine on hold, and instead form an ad hoc committee to source private funding to have it refurbished.

The 803 is one of just two known locomotive engines of its kind left in Canada. The estimated cost of the restoration is in the range of $100,000 dollars. Carbonear Mayor Frank Butt tells VOCM News he’s confident the old 803 is “on track” to be restored to its former glory.