Canadian Steam

CP 2816 "Empress"

Canadian Pacific #2816 (a.k.a. The Empress) is a H1b Class Hudson 4-6-4 steam locomotive. Originally built in 1930 by the Montreal Locomotive Works, H1b Hudsons were the pinnacle of passenger speed and comfort on the Canadian Pacific Railroad. With a top speed of 160 KMH (100 MPH), these locomotives ran daily trips across the Canadian prairies.

Locomotive #2816 was retired from revenue service on May 26th, 1960, after more than 3.2 million kilometers (2 million miles) in active service. It was purchased by F. Nelson Blount in January of 1964 to expand his collection at Steamtown USA, where it sat on static display until 1986 where the overall condition of the locomotive had deteriorated significantly due to it's position outside unprotected from the elements.

Canadian Pacific re-acquired 2816 in September of 1998 after crews who were looking for parts for the similar Royal Hudson (2860) were offered the entire locomotive. The locomotive was transported to the BC Rail steam shops in Vancouver, British Columbia for a complete restoration and overhaul. During this restoration, the locomotive was converted to burn oil instead of coal as well in addition to being equipped with equipment necessary to run on a modern railroad such as a radio and a control unit for a trailing diesel helper locomotive.

The restoration was completed on August 16th 2001 where the engine moved under it's own power with it's own steam for the first time in over 40 years. The Hudson locomotive was used in excursion service for the next 10 years until the CP steam program was discontinued by a change in leadership at the railroad. 2816 would go on to sit in storage for nearly 10 years.

Following the approved merger of the Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern railroads, CP rail CEO Keith Creel announced that 2816 would be brought out of storage and restored back to operating condition as a celebration of the successful merger of what is now CPKC. Creel also announced that 2816 would lead an excursion on the new CPKC system starting in Calgary, Alberta all the way to Mexico City, Mexico, a journey of more than 12,000 KM (8,000 Miles). Ahead of this trip, several test runs were performed starting in July 2023 through to March 2024 before setting off on April 26th on the Final Spike Steam Tour.

This gallery contains pictures of 2816 taken on these test runs as well as the starting event and first day of travelling for the Final Spike Steam Tour.

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