CALGARY, A.B. (CPKC) – Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) kicked off their historic Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour, on April 24 at the company’s global headquarters in Calgary and will culminate on June 4 in Mexico City. The tour is bringing the story of CPKC’s North American railway history and compelling future to life for rail fans and visitors as it travels across CPKC’s network.
Canadian Pacific H-1b 4-6-4 No. 2816 was built by the Montreal Locomotive Works in 1930. The engine ended service on Montreal area commuter trains in 1960, and was subsequently acquired by F. Nelson Blount for his Steamtown collection. In 1998, Canadian Pacific under CEO Robert Ritchie, reacquired the engine from Steamtown NHS and sent the engine to Vancouver, British Columbia, for a restoration to operational service. The engine returned to steam in 2001. Dubbed “The Empress,” the 2816 initiated the new Canadian Pacific steam program.
“Our combination on April 14, 2023, brought together two railroads with long and proud histories that together created the first and only railroad network connecting North America,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President and CEO. “This special cross-continental journey of the 2816 steam locomotive serves as a reminder of our past and a celebration of our future. We are excited to share this extraordinary experience with communities across our network as we mark the one-year anniversary of our CPKC journey. The Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour will be the first ever steam-powered passenger train in North America to traverse Canada, the U.S. and Mexico in a single trip.”
The Empress 2816, a 4-6-4 Hudson-type steam locomotive, made three stops in April, with another eight set for May and it’s final stop is scheduled for June 4th in Mexico City. The train carrying CP Rail executives and others passed through Valley City, North Dakota on May 1st around 1:10pm to the delight of rail fans who waited more than three hours to get a glimpse of the steam engine locomotive.
- Calgary, Alta. | April 24
- Moose Jaw, Sask. | April 28
- Minot, N.D. | April 30
- St. Paul, Minn. | May 3
- Franklin Park, Ill. | May 8
- Davenport, Iowa | May 10
- Kansas City, Mo. | May 18
- Shreveport, La.| May 24
- Laredo, Texas | May 28
- Monterrey, Mexico | May 31
- Mexico City, Mexico | June 4
