View source for Canadian Pacific 2816

{{short description|Preserved CP H1b class 4-6-4 locomotive}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name = Canadian Pacific 2816
| bgcolor = 782730
| color = CFB53B
| powertype = [[steam locomotive|Steam]]
| image = CPR_2816_Locomotive.JPG
| caption = CP No. 2816 ''Empress'' leading an excursion on May 10, 2008
| designer = Henry B. Bowen
| builder = [[Montreal Locomotive Works]]
| builddate = December 1930
| rebuilddate =
| totalproduction = 
| serialnumber = 68535
| whytetype = [[4-6-4]]
| uicclass = 2′C2′
| gauge = {{track gauge|ussg}}
| leadingdiameter = 
| driverdiameter = {{convert|75|in|m|abbr=on}}
| trailingdiameter = 
| wheelbase = {{convert|80.52|ft|abbr=on}}
| engine total = {{convert|39.50|ft|abbr=on}}
| drivers = {{convert|13.17|ft|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|91|ft|1|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| weightondrivers = {{convert|194,000|lb|t|abbr=on}}
| locoweight = {{convert|351,200|lb|t|abbr=on}}
| tenderweight = {{convert|291,000|lb|t|abbr=on}}
| locotenderweight = {{convert|643,100|lb|t|abbr=on}}
| fueltype = ''New:'' [[Coal]]<br/>''Now:'' [[Fuel oil|Oil]]
| watercap = {{convert|12,000|impgal|abbr=on}}
| fuelcap = {{convert|17|ST}}
| firearea = {{convert|80.80|sqft|abbr=on}}
| boilerpressure = {{convert|275|psi|MPa|2|abbr=on}}
| totalsurface = {{convert|5,475|sqft|abbr=on}}
| tubearea = 62 - {{convert|2.25|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| fluearea = 171 - {{convert|35|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| tubesandflues = {{convert|18.25|ft|abbr=on}}
| fireboxarea = {{convert|352|sqft|abbr=on}}
| superheaterarea = {{convert|1,640|sqft|abbr=on}}
| cylindercount = Two
| cylindersize = {{convert|22|x|30|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| valvegear = [[Walschaerts valve gear|Walschaerts]]
| maxspeed = {{convert|100|mph|abbr=on}} (average)
| poweroutput = {{convert|4,700|hp|abbr=on}}
| tractiveeffort = {{convert|45,254|lbf|kN|abbr=on}}
| operator = {{ubl|[[Canadian Pacific Railway]]|Canadian Pacific Kansas City}}
| operatorclass = H1b
| fleetnumbers = CP 2816
| officialname = ''Empress''
| firstrundate = 
| lastrundate = 
| retiredate = May 26, 1960
| preservedunits = January 1964
| restoredate = August 16, 2001
| currentowner = [[Canadian Pacific Kansas City]]
| disposition = Operational
| notes = References:<ref name="Overview1">{{Cite magazine |date=February 2002 |title=Pride of the fleet once again |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/magazine/archive-access/trains-february-2002/ |url-access=limited |access-date=May 6, 2024 |magazine=Trains |publisher=Kalmbach Publishing |page=54 |volume=62 |issue=2}}</ref><ref name="Overview2">{{Cite web|title=Canadian Pacific Railway No. 2816|url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/steamtown/shs3g.htm|publisher=[[National Park Service]]|accessdate=March 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302023943/https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/steamtown/shs3g.htm|archive-date=March 2, 2019}}</ref>
}}
'''Canadian Pacific 2816''', also known as the "'''''Empress'''''", is a preserved H1b class [[4-6-4]] "Hudson" type [[steam locomotive]] built by the [[Montreal Locomotive Works]] (MLW) in December 1930 for the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] (CP). It is the only non-streamlined H1 Hudson to be preserved.

The locomotive was primarily used in pulling passenger trains in revenue service for thirty years, before it was retired in May 1960. In 1963, it was sold to [[F. Nelson Blount]], who added it to his [[Steamtown, U.S.A.]] collection in [[Bellows Falls, Vermont]]. After becoming surplus in the collection by the National Park Service, No.{{nbsp}}2816 was reacquired by the CP in 1998, and crews from [[BC Rail]] were hired to extensively restore it to operating condition.

In 2001, the ''Empress'' returned to service, and it was used by the CP in occasional [[Excursion train|excursion service]] as part of their steam excursion program. In late 2012, the CP steam program was discontinued, and No.{{nbsp}}2816 remained stored at the CP's headquarters in [[Calgary|Calgary, Alberta]]. Following the CP's merger with the [[Kansas City Southern Railway|Kansas City Southern]] (KCS) to become the new [[Canadian Pacific Kansas City]] (CPKC) in 2023, No.{{nbsp}}2816 returned to service again in 2024, embarking on a continental tour from April 24 to July 10.

==History==
===Revenue service===
No.{{nbsp}}2816 was one of ten H1b-class (Nos.{{nbsp}}2810-2819) (the "H" meant the 4-6-4 wheel configuration, the "1" was the design number and the "b" meant it was the second production run) 4-6-4 Hudson-types built by the Montreal Locomotive Works in December 1930, at a cost of $116,555 each.<ref name="Overview1" /><ref name="Overview2" /> It was first assigned to premier passenger service between [[Winnipeg]] and [[Fort William, Ontario]].<ref name="Overview2" />

Following the introduction of semi-streamlined Royal Hudson locomotives in 1937, No.{{nbsp}}2816 was reassigned to secondary passenger service between [[Windsor, Ontario]], and [[Quebec City]], and during the 1950s, it pulled [[Commuter rail|commuter trains]] between [[Montreal]] and [[Rigaud, Quebec]].<ref name="Overview1" /><ref name="Overview2" /> In 1957, No.{{nbsp}}2816 received a minor overhaul, with its tender being replaced with one from Royal Hudson No.{{nbsp}}2822.<ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine |last=Stephens |first=Bill |date=July 2000 |title=Railroad News - CP 4-6-4 2816 to head program |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/magazine/archive-access/trains-july-2000/ |url-access=limited |access-date=May 6, 2024 |magazine=Trains |publisher=Kalmbach Publishing |page=20 |volume=60 |issue=7}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine |last=Stephens |first=Bill |date=November 2000 |title=Railroad News - CP 2816 overhaul to go into 2001 |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/magazine/archive-access/trains-november-2000/ |url-access=limited |access-date=May 6, 2024 |magazine=Trains |publisher=Kalmbach Publishing |pages=26–28 |volume=60 |issue=11}}</ref> The locomotive was retired from revenue service on May 26, 1960, after accumulating {{convert|2,046,000|mi|km|order=out|abbr=off}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://railfan.com/canadian-pacific-fires-up-2816-for-first-time-in-eight-years/|title=CP Fires up Steam Locomotive for First Time in Eight Years|date=14 November 2020}}</ref><ref name="CanadianRailJanuary-February2002" /><ref name="CP2816" /> It was subsequently used briefly as a stationary boiler at the St. Luc yards in Montreal.<ref name="Overview1" />

===Steamtown ownership===
In the early 1960s, F. Nelson Blount wanted to expand his Steamtown, U.S.A. collection, and one of the locomotives he initially wanted to preserve was a [[New York Central Hudson|4-6-4 from the New York Central Railroad]] (NYC). Since all NYC 4-6-4s were scrapped by that time, Blount improvised by purchasing No.{{nbsp}}2816 from the CP in December 1963.<ref name="Overview1" /> The locomotive was removed from the scrap lines of [[Essa, Ontario|Angus, Ontario]], and it was put on static display at Steamtown's first location in Bellows Falls, Vermont.<ref name="Overview1" />

During No.{{nbsp}}2816's time on static display, the locomotive deteriorated from the outdoor elements, and it worsened its condition for several years.<ref name="Overview1" /> In the winter of 1983-1984, it was moved along with the rest of the collection to [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]], where Steamtown was later reorganized as [[Steamtown National Historic Site]] under the ownership of the [[National Park Service]].<ref name="Overview2" /> Following the reorganization, No.{{nbsp}}2816 was deemed surplus in the collection, and Steamtown wanted to dispose of it.<ref name="Overview1" />

===Restoration===
During the mid-late 1990s, the Canadian Pacific Railway's then-president and CEO, [[Robert J. Ritchie (railroad executive)|Robert Ritchie]], reorganized the company and established the "''Royal Canadian Pacific''" excursion train to honour the railway's history, and he sought for CP to operate their own steam excursion program.<ref name=":4">{{Harvp|McDonnell|2002|p=52}}</ref> In 1998, the CP purchased No.{{nbsp}}2816 from Steamtown, and in exchange, the railway would move some equipment to Scranton.<ref name=":3">{{Harvard citation year brackets|McDonnell|2002|p=53}}</ref><ref name="BranchlineOctober2001" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite magazine |date=September 1998 |title=Railroad News - Big plans for CP 4-6-4 |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/magazine/archive-access/trains-september-1998/ |url-access=limited |access-date=May 16, 2024 |magazine=Trains |publisher=Kalmbach Publishing |page=22 |volume=58 |issue=9}}</ref> CP had heard of its availability via phone calls from [[BC Rail]], who had been operating CP [[Canadian Pacific 2860|Royal Hudson No.{{nbsp}}2860]] as part of their own excursion program; the No.{{nbsp}}2860 crews had been looking for replacement parts for the Royal Hudson and were offered to buy the entire locomotive by Steamtown.<ref name="BranchlineOctober2001">{{Cite magazine|last=Smith|first=Ian|date=October 2001|title=CPR 2816 Reborn for 21st-Century Service|url=https://www.bytownrailwaysociety.ca/phocadownload/branchline/2001/2001-10.pdf|magazine=Branchline|publisher=Bytown Railway Society|pages=8–9|accessdate=March 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304172248/https://www.bytownrailwaysociety.ca/phocadownload/branchline/2001/2001-10.pdf|archive-date=March 4, 2019}}</ref>

A team of inspectors performed a preliminary inspection on No.{{nbsp}}2816, and they pronounced that it was in good condition.<ref name=":9" /> In September 1998, the locomotive was coupled in a special consist led by CP [[GP38-2]] No.{{nbsp}}3069, [[EMD FP7|FP7]] No.{{nbsp}}1400, and [[St. Lawrence and Hudson Railway|St. Lawrence and Hudson]] [[EMD GP9|GP9u]] No.{{nbsp}}8216, and it was ferried from Scranton to Montreal via [[Binghamton, New York|Binghamton]] and [[Albany, New York]], before travelling cross-country to the BC Rail steam workshop in [[North Vancouver (city)|North Vancouver]], British Columbia.<ref name="BranchlineOctober2001" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |date=December 1998 |title=CP sponsors unique trek |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/magazine/archive-access/trains-december-1998/ |url-access=limited |access-date=May 6, 2024 |magazine=Trains |publisher=Kalmbach Publishing |page=21 |volume=58 |issue=12}}</ref> CP contracted the BC Rail steam shop crew, led by Al Broadfoot, to disassemble No.{{nbsp}}2816 and evaluate its condition; if it were salvageable, then they would restore it to operating condition, but if it were deteriorated beyond salvaging, then they would give it a cosmetic restoration for static display purposes.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="rebirth">{{cite journal| title=Rebirth of a mechanical Wonder| journal=CPR News| issue=2| year=2001| url=http://members.shaw.ca/cprsteam/cp2816.htm}}</ref>

When No.{{nbsp}}2816 was disassembled, it was revealed that it was mechanically worn out, despite the preliminary inspectors having stated otherwise, but Rob Ritchie decided to approve a complete rebuild of the locomotive, regardless.<ref name=":3" /> Broadfoot and his team were able to obtain multiple plans and vital information about CP H1b class locomotives, including a collection of over 800 technical drawings provided by the [[Canada Science and Technology Museum]], and they used them as references for the project.<ref name="rebirth" /><ref name=":5">{{Harvp|McDonnell|2002|p=54}}</ref> Hundreds of replacement parts had to be fabricated by contractors in Vancouver, such as the cab, the running boards, the rod brasses, the superheater manifold, among other things.<ref name="rebirth" /><ref name=":5" />

Contractors in the United States were hired to overhaul other major parts of No.{{nbsp}}2816; the driving wheels were shipped to the [[Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum]] (TVRM) in [[Chattanooga, Tennessee]], and the boiler was shipped to Doyle McCormack and his crews in [[Portland, Oregon]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name="BranchlineOctober2001" /> No.{{nbsp}}2816's firebox was converted from coal to oil firing, and the tender received dual water intakes with Canadian and American threads.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /> CP gained so much faith in the project that on April 19, 2000, the railway announced that No.{{nbsp}}2816 would be scheduled to return to service for their steam program by September of that year, but the deadline was pushed back, due to further challenges encountered in the restoration process.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> The project spanned more than two years and incurred costs between $3 million and $3.5 million. When adjusted for inflation, this amounts to $5.3 million to $6.2 million as of September 27, 2024, making it one of the most costly steam locomotive restoration projects in North America.

===CP excursion service and temporary hiatus===
On August 15, 2001, No.{{nbsp}}2816 passed its federal boiler inspection, and the following day, the locomotive was fired up for the first time in forty years, performing a series of test runs over three days on CP's Cascade Subdivision between [[Coquitlam]] and [[Mission, British Columbia|Mission]].<ref name="CanadianRailJanuary-February2002"/><ref name="CP2816">{{Cite web | url=http://www.okthepk.ca/dataCprSiding/articles/200712/mpress00.htm | title=Cordova Bay Station - 2816 on the Internet }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 2001 |title=Railroad News - CPR 4-6-4 2816 passes test, to head east |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/magazine/archive-access/trains-november-2001/ |url-access=limited |access-date=May 6, 2024 |magazine=Trains |publisher=Kalmbach Publishing |page=20 |volume=61 |issue=11}}</ref> From September 19 to 23—with Al Broadfoot as the fireman and with Bill Stettler and Doyle McCormack taking turns as the engineer—No.{{nbsp}}2816 pulled its first official inaugural excursion out of [[Port Moody]], toured some of the CP mainlines for {{convert|672|mi|km|order=out|abbr=off}} over five days, and then it stopped at CP’s headquarters in Calgary, Alberta.<ref name="CanadianRailJanuary-February2002">{{Cite magazine|date=January–February 2002|title=CPR 2816 Back in Steam After 40 Years|url=https://www.exporail.org/can_rail/Canadian%20Rail_no486_2002.pdf|magazine=Canadian Rail|publisher=[[Canadian Railroad Historical Association]]|page=3|accessdate=February 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331130002/https://www.exporail.org/can_rail/Canadian%20Rail_no486_2002.pdf|archive-date=March 31, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":4" />{{efn|To expand its water capacity, the locomotive was paired with CP auxiliary tender No.{{nbsp}}35508, which was formerly paired with [[Delaware and Hudson Railway|Delaware and Hudson]] [[4-6-6-4]] "Challenger" No.{{nbsp}}1517.<ref name="BranchlineOctober2001" />}} The locomotive began pulling additional public relations excursions for the Canadian Pacific Railway, and it quickly received the name "''The Empress''".<ref name=":4" />

On May 16, 2002, the locomotive pulled two excursions for the West Coast Express. Between May 24 and July 8, 2003, No.{{nbsp}}2816 toured the CP between Alberta and Ontario, and the purpose of the tour was to spread further public awareness of CP and to raise money for the children's "''Breakfast for Learning''" program.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Gruber |first=John |date=September 2003 |title=Preservation - Canadian Pacific's Empress hits the road |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/magazine/archive-access/trains-september-2003/ |url-access=limited |access-date=May 8, 2024 |magazine=Trains |publisher=Kalmbach Publishing |page=66 |volume=63 |issue=9}}</ref> On September 27, No.{{nbsp}}2816 visited the [[Kamloops Heritage Railway]] and took part in a doubleheader excursion with Canadian National [[2-8-0]] No.{{nbsp}}2141. In May 2004, No.{{nbsp}}2816 pulled the ''Royal Canadian Pacific'' consist while performing a {{convert|3,000|mi|km|adj=on|order=out|abbr=out}} tour across the CP between Vancouver and Montreal, and it marked the first time in fifty years that a single steam locomotive pulled a cross-country passenger train in Canada, but it was assisted by three CP heritage diesels.<ref name=":6">{{Cite magazine |last=Ingles |first=J. David |date=September 2004 |title=Railroad News & Photos - In the upper Midwest, it's a steamy summer |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/magazine/archive-access/trains-september-2004/ |url-access=limited |access-date=May 8, 2024 |magazine=Trains |publisher=Kalmbach Publishing |pages=8–9 |volume=64 |issue=9}}</ref>

In early June 2004, the ''Empress'' was ferried behind a [[Soo Line Railroad|Soo Line]] [[EMD SD60|SD60]] over the [[CSX Transportation|CSX]] mainline between [[Buffalo, New York]] and [[Chicago, Illinois]], and then it travelled to the [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul|Twin Cities]] area in [[Minnesota]] to participate in the ''Grand Excursion 2004'' event, which celebrated the 150th anniversary of the [[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad|Chicago and Rock Island Railroad]]'s celebration train of 1854.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite magazine |date=October 2004 |title=Railroad News & Photos - NRHS convention boasts variety |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/magazine/archive-access/trains-october-2004/ |url-access=limited |access-date=May 8, 2024 |magazine=Trains |publisher=Kalmbach Publishing |page=22 |volume=64 |issue=10}}</ref> No.{{nbsp}}2816 pulled multiple public excursions for the event between the Twin Cities and the [[Quad Cities]] area in [[Iowa]], using passenger coaches owned by Friends of the 261, and the last train took place on July 3; a doubleheader with [[Milwaukee Road 261]] from [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]] to [[La Crescent, Minnesota|La Crescent]] and return.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /> No.{{nbsp}}2816 returned from Minnesota to Calgary with a charity train later that same month.<ref name=":6" />

In August 2007, No.{{nbsp}}2816 toured the CP from Calgary to Chicago, and then it pulled some public excursions within Illinois and Wisconsin, including another doubleheader with No.{{nbsp}}261 on September 15 between [[Minneapolis]] and [[La Crosse, Wisconsin]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Wrinn |first=Jim |date=July 2007 |title=News & Photos - A big summer for big steam |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/magazine/archive-access/trains-july-2007/ |url-access=limited |access-date=May 8, 2024 |magazine=Trains |publisher=Kalmbach Publishing |page=16 |volume=67 |issue=7}}</ref> The ''Empress'' returned to Calgary by the end of September. At the end of the 2008 operating season, the Canadian Pacific Railway put the steam program on hold—while still operating previously promised engagement runs—due to financial challenges created by the [[Great Recession]]. No.{{nbsp}}2816 did not operate at all in 2009, but crews opted to take advantage of the down time to perform some extensive maintenance work on the ''Empress'' and its passenger car fleet.

No.{{nbsp}}2816 returned to service again on June 6, 2010, when it pulled excursions to raise money for the [[Children's Wish Foundation of Canada|Children's Wish Foundation]].<ref name=":8">{{cite web |date=May 24, 2011 |title=2816 Empress steam train launches tour benefiting the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada |url=http://www.cpr.ca/en/news-and-media/news/Pages/2816-cwf.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314065001/http://www.cpr.ca/en/news-and-media/news/Pages/2816-cwf.aspx |archive-date=March 14, 2012 |access-date=March 11, 2012}}</ref> The locomotive was also filmed with [[IMAX]] cameras for ''[[Rocky Mountain Express]]'', a 2011 film that observes the ''Empress'' on a journey from Vancouver to Montreal while explaining the CP's history.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rocky Mountain Express |url=https://www.stephenlow.com/project/rocky-mountain-express/ |website=The Stephen Low Company |access-date=May 23, 2024}}</ref> On June 11, 2011, No.{{nbsp}}2816 lead an excursion tour that promoted the Children’s Wish Foundation.<ref name=":8" /><ref name="Trains" /> The locomotive was scheduled to complete the tour on August 5 at Calgary, but as it was midway through the tour, No.{{nbsp}}2816 suffered a mechanical problem, and it had to return to Calgary early for repairs.<ref name=":8" /><ref name="Trains" />

In late 2012, Canadian Pacific CEO Fred Green—Rob Ritchie's successor—stepped down from the company, and [[E. Hunter Harrison]] succeeded him.<ref name="Trains">{{Cite web|last=Gunnoe|first=Chase|date=November 19, 2015|title=CP or NS: which has a soul for preservation?|url=http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2015/11/19-cp-ns-preservation|publisher=[[Trains (magazine)|Trains]]|accessdate=February 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225131153/http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2015/11/19-cp-ns-preservation|archive-date=February 25, 2018}}</ref> Harrison was not interested in steam locomotive operations, and wanted CP to focus on improving their finances and operation tactics.<ref name="Trains" /> As a result, the steam program was discontinued, forcing No.{{nbsp}}2816's excursion operations to be halted, and the locomotive was kept in storage in Calgary.<ref name="Trains"/> Despite Harrison's resignation from the railway in early 2017, with [[Keith Creel]] succeeding him, the locomotive still remained in storage afterward.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 18, 2017|title=Canadian Pacific Railway says CEO Hunter Harrison stepping down immediately|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/hunter-harrison-stepping-down-immediately-cp-rail-1.3941745|publisher=[[CBC News]]|accessdate=April 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118234159/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/hunter-harrison-stepping-down-immediately-cp-rail-1.3941745|archive-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref>

On November 13, 2020, No.{{nbsp}}2816 was fired up for a steam test and moved around the Calgary Yard with a railroad representative stating the test was to assess the locomotive's mechanical condition with "no plans to operate the engine on the main lines." It was subsequently announced that the locomotive would make a run as part of filming of a Holiday Train video.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://railfan.com/canadian-pacific-fires-up-2816-for-first-time-in-eight-years/?fbclid=IwAR15JxdNdA9DzYUKF1eyzBCrEInRemLo9wOdjCbUuCTGiqvmD3atvv7eldA| title=Update: CP Fires Up Steam Locomotive For First Time in Eight Years| date=November 14, 2020| website=Railfan & Railroad Magazine| first=Justin| last=Franz}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2020/11/canadian-pacific-no-2816-to-steam-again-for-holiday-train-video| title=Canadian Pacific No.&nbsp;2816 to steam again for Holiday Train video (corrected)| date=November 14, 2020| website=Trains Magazine| first=Steve| last=Glischinski| publisher=Kalmbach Media| access-date=November 18, 2020| archive-date=November 21, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121234911/https://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2020/11/canadian-pacific-no-2816-to-steam-again-for-holiday-train-video| url-status=dead}}</ref>

===CPKC excursion service===
[[File:CP 2816.jpg|left|thumb|2816 during its Final Spike Steam Tour, July 10, 2024, in [[Gleichen, Alberta]]]]
In 2021, Creel announced that if the US Surface Transportation Board approved CP's merger with the Kansas City Southern, the railway would celebrate it by bringing No.&nbsp;2816 back under steam to lead a tour from Calgary to [[Mexico City]], making No.&nbsp;2816 the first steam locomotive to run through Canada, the United States, and Mexico.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-01-13|title=2022 Railroaders of the Year: Keith Creel and Pat Ottensmeyer, 'Transnational Team'|url=https://www.railwayage.com/freight/class-i/2022-railroaders-of-the-year-keith-creel-and-pat-ottensmeyer-transnational-team/|access-date=2022-01-23|website=Railway Age|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Franz |first=Justin |date=2023-06-01 |title=CPKC Says Steam Locomotive 2816 to Run 'This Summer' |url=https://railfan.com/cpkc-says-steam-locomotive-2816-to-run-this-summer/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Railfan & Railroad Magazine |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=2023-07-18 |title=CP 4-6-4 No. 2816 to embark on Canada-U.S.-Mexico tour in 2024 |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/cp-4-6-4-no-2816-to-embark-on-canada-u-s-mexico-tour-in-2024/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Trains |language=en-US}}</ref> The locomotive first received an overhaul by CP's steam crew, and in the process, it was equipped with [[positive train control]].<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":11" /><ref name=":12" />

In June 2023, the overhaul was completed, and the ''Empress'' began to perform a series of test runs, which included a July 11 shakedown run from Calgary to [[Carseland]] and return.<ref name=":12" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 undergoes stationary steam test |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/canadian-pacific-4-6-4-no-2816-undergoes-stationary-steam-test/ |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=Trains |date=26 June 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> Further shakedown runs and tests were performed in August, from Calgary to [[Coalhurst]] and return. In October 2023, two back-to-back test runs from Calgary to [[Edmonton]] and back then from Calgary to [[Medicine Hat]] and back, concluding No.&nbsp;2816's test runs of 2023.<ref name=":12">{{cite news |last=Franz |first=Justin |date=October 23, 2023 |title=CP 2816 Finishes Season of Testing With Run on Transcontinental Main Line |url=https://railfan.com/cp-2816-finishes-season-of-testing-with-run-on-transcontinental-main-line/ |work=Railfan & Railroad Magazine |access-date=January 13, 2024}}</ref>{{efn|In preparation for No.{{nbsp}}2816's tour, the locomotive was paired with a second auxiliary tender the CPKC loaned from the [[Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation]].<ref name=":10" /> The tender was commonly paired with Southern Pacific 4449.<ref name=":10" />}}

On April 24, 2024, No.&nbsp;2816 began its ''Final Spike Steam Tour'' running from Calgary with [[request stop|whistle stop]]s in [[Moose Jaw]] on April 28; [[Minot, North Dakota]], on April 30; Saint Paul, Minnesota, on May 3; [[Franklin Park, Illinois]], on May 8; [[Davenport, Iowa]], on May 10; [[Kansas City, Missouri]], on May 18; [[Shreveport, Louisiana]], on May 24; [[Laredo, Texas]], on May 28; [[Monterrey]], Nuevo León, on May 31; and Mexico City on June 7.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Franz|first=Justin|date=January 31, 2024|title=CPKC Announces Schedule For 2816 'Final Spike' Tour|url=https://railfan.com/cpkc-announces-schedule-for-2816-final-spike-tour/|work=[[Railfan & Railroad]]|publisher=[[White River Productions]]|access-date=May 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206234707/https://railfan.com/cpkc-announces-schedule-for-2816-final-spike-tour/|archive-date=February 6, 2024}}</ref><ref name="SteamTourSchedule">{{Cite web|title=Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour|url=https://www.cpkcr.com/en/community/final-spike-steam-train|work=CPKC|access-date=May 28, 2024}}</ref> The train's journey in Mexico was not without incident, however.<ref name="June4accident">{{Cite news |date=June 4, 2024 |title=Woman struck, killed by CPKC steam tour train in Mexico |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/woman-struck-killed-by-cpkc-steam-tour-train-in-mexico/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605041022/https://www.trains.com/trn/woman-struck-killed-by-cpkc-steam-tour-train-in-mexico/ |archive-date=June 5, 2024 |access-date=June 5, 2024 |work=Trains |publisher=Kalmbach Media}}</ref> On June 4, just three days before arriving at Mexico City, No.&nbsp;2816 passed through [[Nopala|Nopala de Villagrán]] and fatally struck a 29-year-old woman, who attempted to take a [[selfie]] at an unsafe distance.<ref name="June4accident" /> After being seen by thousands in Mexico City, the locomotive departed for its return trip north on June 9, arriving in Laredo on June 11.<ref name="FranzMexico">{{cite web |url=https://railfan.com/cp-2816-heads-north-after-historic-visit-to-mexico/ |title=CP 2816 Heads North After Historic Visit to Mexico |last=Franz |first=Justin |date=June 10, 2024 |work=Railfan & Railroad |publisher=White River Productions |access-date=June 10, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/cpr-no-2816-returns-to-the-u-s-after-completing-cpkcs-final-spike-steam-tour-in-mexico/ |title=CPR No. 2816 returns to the U.S. after completing CPKC's Final Spike steam tour in Mexico  |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=June 12, 2024 |website=Trains |publisher=Kalmbach Media |access-date=June 22, 2024}}</ref> On the return trip to Calgary, No.&nbsp;2816 made two whistle stops at [[Silvis, Illinois]], on June 29 and Winnipeg on July 6, before arriving back at Calgary on July 10.<ref>{{Cite web|title=CPKC sets new return schedule for No. 2816, Steam Tour train|url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/cpkc-sets-new-return-schedule-for-no-2816-steam-tour-train/|work=Trains|publisher=Kalmbach Media|date=May 28, 2024|access-date=May 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529012527/https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/cpkc-sets-new-return-schedule-for-no-2816-steam-tour-train/|archive-date=May 29, 2024}}</ref><ref name="CancelledExcursion">{{Cite web|date=May 30, 2024|title=Planned Illinois excursion with CP No. 2816 is cancelled (updated)|url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/planned-illinois-excursion-with-cp-no-2816-is-cancelled/|work=Trains|publisher=Kalmbach Media|access-date=May 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530143300/https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/planned-illinois-excursion-with-cp-no-2816-is-cancelled/|archive-date=May 30, 2024}}</ref>{{efn|Originally, No.{{nbsp}}2816 was about pull a special fundraiser June 29 public excursion from Silvis to [[Bureau Junction, Illinois]], on the [[Iowa Interstate Railroad]], but the CPKC cancelled it on May 30.<ref name="CancelledExcursion"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Glischinski|first=Steve|date=May 22, 2024|title=Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 to pull public excursion|url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/canadian-pacific-4-6-4-no-2816-to-pull-public-excursion/|work=Trains|publisher=Kalmbach Media|access-date=June 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525041130/https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/canadian-pacific-4-6-4-no-2816-to-pull-public-excursion/|archive-date=May 25, 2024}}</ref>}} As part of the Final Spike Steam Tour, CP 2816 was joined by hydrogen [[fuel cell]] locomotive 1001 at the start of the journey. This collaboration symbolized the convergence of tradition and modernity, showcasing CP's efforts to honour its steam heritage while embracing sustainable technology for the future of rail transport.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephens |first=Bill |date=2023-06-02 |title=Overhaul of Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 nearing completion, CPKC says |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/overhaul-of-canadian-pacific-4-6-4-no-2816-nearing-completion-cpkc-says/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Trains |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Franz |first=Justin |date=2024-04-29 |title=Canadian Pacific 2816 Draws Big Crowds As Historic Tour Begins |url=https://railfan.com/canadian-pacific-2816-draws-big-crowds-as-historic-tour-begins/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Railfan & Railroad Magazine |language=en-CA}}</ref>

==Preservation and other remaining H1 Hudsons==
Of the five surviving Canadian Pacific Hudsons out of the original 65 built between 1929 and 1940, No.{{nbsp}}2816 is the only survivor of the non-streamlined H1a and H1b classes built in 1929 and 1930.<ref name="Overview2" /> The four other remaining sister engines to 2816 are the semi-streamlined Royal Hudsons (Nos.{{nbsp}}2820–2864). The remaining four Royal Hudsons are Nos.{{nbsp}}2839 (H1c), 2850 and 2858 (both H1d) and the 2860 (H1e). {{As of|2024}}, No.{{nbsp}}2816 is the only operating 4-6-4 Hudson in North America; no American 4-6-4 Hudsons are operational.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="200" heights="200" mode="packed">
File:Jss1.jpg|CP No.{{nbsp}}2816 on static display at Steamtown, USA, in Bellows Falls, [[Vermont]], in 1978
File:C.P.R. 2816 Hudson Class (2807877718).jpg|The engineer's side of No.{{nbsp}}2816's cab
File:MILW 261 and CP 2816 Double Header (1403562985).jpg|No.{{nbsp}}2816 double heading with Milwaukee Road 261 while traveling on the CP's River Subdivision at [[Maple Springs, Minnesota]], on September 15, 2007
File:MILW261 Steam Doubleheader.jpg|[[Milwaukee Road 261]] behind Canadian Pacific 2816 in a rare steam [[Double heading|doubleheader]] excursion at a service stop in Red Wing, Minnesota.
File:CP2816 crossing Nicola River 3.jpg|No.{{nbsp}}2816 pulling the ''Spirit of 150'' train at [[Spences Bridge, British Columbia]], on June 21, 2008
File:Cp2816millet.jpg|CP No.{{nbsp}}2816 passing through [[Millet, Alberta]], on October 17, 2023
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Canadian Pacific 1201]]
*[[Canadian Pacific 2317]]
*[[Canadian National 6060]]
*[[Southern Pacific 4449]]
*[[Norfolk and Western 611]]
*[[Norfolk and Western 1218]]
*[[Union Pacific 844]]
{{Portal bar|Trains|Canada}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==

* {{Cite magazine |last=McDonnell |first=Greg |date=February 2002 |title=Canadian Triumph: The Return of 2816 |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/magazine/archive-access/trains-february-2002/ |url-access=limited |access-date=May 6, 2024 |magazine=Trains |publisher=Kalmbach Publishing |pages=52–55 |volume=62 |issue=2}}

== Further reading ==

* {{Cite magazine |last1=Brown |first1=James A. |last2=Lavallée |first2=Omer |date=August 1969 |title=Hudson Royalty |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/magazine/archive-access/trains-august-1969/ |url-access=limited |access-date=May 10, 2024 |magazine=Trains |publisher=Kalmbach Publishing |pages=22–36 |volume=29 |issue=10}}
* {{Cite book |last=Boyd |first=Jim |title=Steamtown In Color |date=2011 |publisher=Morning Sun Books, Inc. |isbn=978-1582483009 |location=[[Scotch Plains, New Jersey]]}}
* {{Cite magazine |last=Franz |first=Justin |date=April 2024 |title=Empress Returns |magazine=Railfan & Railroad |publisher=White River Productions |pages=35–47 |volume=43 |issue=4}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Canadian Pacific Railway 2816}}
* [https://www.trains.com/trn/railroads/locomotives/canadian-pacific-2816-the-empress-steam-locomotive-profile/ Canadian Pacific 2816 The Empress steam locomotive profile] - Trains

[[Category:MLW locomotives]]
[[Category:4-6-4 locomotives]]
[[Category:Canadian Pacific Railway locomotives|2816]]
[[Category:Individual locomotives of Canada]]
[[Category:Preserved steam locomotives of Canada]]
[[Category:Steam locomotives of Canada]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1930]]
[[Category:Standard gauge locomotives of Canada]]