Canadian Pacific 2816

Canadian Pacific 2816
Type and origin Power type steam Builder Montreal Locomotive Works Serial number 68535 Build date December 1930
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-4 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Length 91 ft 1 in (27.8 m) Adhesive weight 194,000 pounds (88,000 kg) Total weight 658,000 pounds (298,000 kg) Fuel type coal (Converted to burn oil during restoration) Water cap. 12,000 imperial gallons (55,000 L) Tender cap. 17 short tons (15,000 kg) Boiler pressure 275 pounds per square inch (18.7 atm) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 22 inches (56 cm) × 30 inches (76 cm)
Performance figures Power output 4,700 hp (3,500 kW) Tractive effort 45,300 pounds (20,500 kg)
Career Official name Empress Last run May 26, 1960 Restored 2001 Disposition Excursion service

Canadian Pacific 2816, named the Empress, is a 4-6-4 H1b Hudson used by the Canadian Pacific Railway in occasional excursion service. The 2816 is the only non-streamlined H1 Hudson remaining (the other four remaining are the semi-streamlined Royal Hudsons)

First career

Locomotive 2816 was one of ten H1b-class (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 built by the Montreal Locomotive Works in 1930. It was first assigned to the line between Winnipeg and Fort William, Ontario. Later, it was transferred to service between Windsor, Ontario and Quebec City, and finally it ran a commuter train between Montreal and Rigaud, Quebec. It made it's last run on May 26, 1960. It was at this time that it received the name of Empress. In 1963, the locomotive was sold to Monadnock, Steamtown & Northern Amusements Corp., Inc. 2816 was then donated to the newly formed Steamtown in 1964.

Restoration and second career

After sitting at the Steamtown site for almost forty years, the locomotive was obtained from Steamtown by Canadian Pacific in 1998 and restoration began in 1999 at the BC Rail steam shops in Vancouver. The locomotive was completely stripped down and rebuilt. The locomotive was converted to burn oil and equipped with modern utilities such as a radio and a diesel control unit. The restoration took over two years and cost over $1,000,000, making it one of the most costly locomotive restorations in Canada. In September 2001 the locomotive made its first trial run from the B.C. rail steam steam shops to its new home of Calgary. It then rejoined the Canadian Pacific fleet as a special excursion locomotive and for public relations. Since the restoration, 2816 has traveled all across Canada and the U.S. 2816 is one of the most well known locomotives in North America, along with Milwaukee Road 261, Southern Pacific 4449 and Royal Hudson 2860.

Preservation and other remaining H1 Hudsons

2816 is the last H1b and is one of five Canadian Pacific Hudsons preserved out of the original 65 built between 1929 and 1940. 2816 is the last of the non-streamlined H1a and H1b classes built in 1929 and 1930 numbered 2800-2819. The other four remaining sister engines to 2816 are the famed, semi-streamlined Royal Hudsons numbered 2820-2864. The remaining Royal Hudsons are numbers 2839(H1c), 2850 and 2858(both H1d) and the well known 2860(H1E). currently, 2816 and 2860 are the only operating 4-6-4 Hudsons in North America.

External Links

• Official photos
• Youtube video