Full steam ahead Historic restored locomotive back on the rails By: Thandi Vera Posted: 6:00 PM CDT Wednesday, Jul. 3, 2024

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This article was published 03/07/2024 (780 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When the Final Spike Steam Tour, featuring the historic 4-6-4 Hudson-type steam locomotive, chugs its way into Winnipeg on Saturday, it will bring a cargo of nostalgia with it.

Affectionately known as “The Empress,” the 2816 locomotive was built in December 1930 by Montreal Locomotive Works. Initially intended for fast freight and passenger service, it primarily operated in Eastern Canada for nearly 30 years before being retired on May 26, 1960.

The locomotive later served as a steam-powered ambassador for Canadian Pacific, touring Canada and the U.S., then placed in storage in 2012.

After a decade of slumber, the 2816 has been meticulously restored by a dedicated team of railroaders and is once again travelling the rails. The steam tour began in Calgary on April 24 and has made stops in cities including Moose Jaw, Sask.; Minot, N.D.; St. Paul, Minn.; Franklin Park, Ill.; Davenport, Iowa; Kansas City, Mo; Shreveport, La; Laredo, Texas; and Mexico City.

The tour’s final stop is in Winnipeg, where from noon to 4 p.m., the public can gather at the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Yard at 949 Jarvis Ave. to witness a piece of railway history up close.

“I think it’s a very important part of our city’s history. Railroads and rivers built the entire city we have today,” says Evan McRae, a 16-year-old train enthusiast from Winnipeg who runs a YouTube channel called Navin McRazy featuring railway-related videos.

“Winnipeg’s always been known as a railroad town. They’re pretty much the backbone for transporting goods in and out, besides trucking.”

The Final Spike Steam Tour is not just about showcasing a historic locomotive, it’s also about celebrating the heritage and significance of railroads in North America, McRae says.

“The whole reason this is running is to commemorate the merger of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Kansas City Southern. They merged just over a year ago in April, so the steam tour left on their one-year anniversary,” he says.

McRae says the train’s vintage charm is a big part of its appeal.

“The train’s last proper revenue run as a passenger locomotive was in 1960. Since then, it’s just been sitting, and they pretty much overhauled and rebuilt the entire locomotive from scratch for this steam tour.”

The locomotive’s restoration included a three-year rebuild to its original specifications with external details from the 1940s and 1950s. Today, the 2816 is the only surviving H1b Hudson and one of only a handful of preserved and operating CPR steam locomotives in North America.

“The steam locomotive needs a tender full of coal so that it properly feeds the fire. What you do is you have the main engine, the steam engine, and then behind it is a tender full of coal. They shovel the coal from the tender into what’s known as the firebox, which creates steam and pressure, which is how the train begins to move,” McRae explains.

Visitors to the event in Winnipeg will have the chance to see the 2816 up close, learn more about its history and enjoy the Puffer Belly Express mini-train, a quarter-scale steam locomotive model.

The Final Spike Steam Tour is Underway! from CPKC on Vimeo.

For those unable to attend in person, the CPKC website offers a virtual train tour, allowing users to explore the Final Spike Steam Tour equipment through 360-degree views.

Visitors can start in the 2816’s spacious vestibule cab, see the firebox glow and hear the whistle. The virtual tour also provides a unique view inside the firebox and explores FP9A No. 1401, a cab unit tied behind the 2816’s canteens.

Additionally, the tour includes the Glacier dining car decked out with period wood panelling and set for a party of 10.

“It’s a pretty big deal to some people, not just random folks, but to those who appreciate railway history,” McRae says.

Whether you’re a lifelong railway enthusiast or simply curious about a bygone era, McRae says the Final Spike Steam Tour offers a rare opportunity to connect with the past and celebrate the enduring legacy of North America’s railroads.

Admission to the event is free and will feature a mobile museum exhibit, the chance to ride a mini train and other activities.

thandi.vera@winnipegfreepress.com