If I remember correctly there are multiple D&H 4-6-6-4 tenders in preservation, although I don't know if as many as L&N 'Big Emma' tenders. I'm sure someone who reads this will have exact numbers and perhaps an extended history.
(I'd happily contribute to an effort to build a replica Big Emma using one of the latter. That was perhaps the best of the Berkshires: a full 4-8-4 designed slightly shorter to fit 'as much locomotive as possible' onto available turntables.)
The A-2's were Alco's last steam locomotives, so much so that Lima built the tenders. P&LE management did not want the A-2's but the parent road forced them on P&LE.
NDGMust be a record for the Shortest-lived steam locomotives?
I'd propose the Western Maryland's amazing M-2 Potomacs as vying for that honor, at least for engines that had no perceived or operational defect. Ordered and delivered after WM observed the Reading T-1s in action, in 1947, but all out of service by May 1954. (And not scrapped until their equipment trusts hit 10 years ... but every one went then.)
Bet not one in a hundred railfans knows about them. I wouldn't if not for the extensive footnotes in Riding The Locomotive Cabs.
AgentKid Somebodys monkeying around, the 6711 was a SW9, which became the Ogden Shop switcher, and is listed as retired. The newest picture on CPRDieselRoster.com is from 2015. It seems to have worked in Edmonton back in the day. Bruce
Somebodys monkeying around, the 6711 was a SW9, which became the Ogden Shop switcher, and is listed as retired. The newest picture on CPRDieselRoster.com is from 2015. It seems to have worked in Edmonton back in the day.
Bruce
I was able to identify the exact location of the photo at Ogden on Google Earth, using the warehouse in the background as a reference, and using their historical imagery feature I can also date certain features in the photo.
The foreground of the photo (with the little trees) was landscaped between August and October 2018, but the grass strip between the two paved roadways does not appear in the 2018 shots.
Therefore, the photo was taken during late spring or summer 2019.
2816's exact location in the photo is here: 50.996537, -113.999453
The current Google Maps shot (with the 3 F-units sitting outside the nearby shop building) was taken on August 31, 2017.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
NDGA Citirail Diesel went by on a drag the other day, too far away to get the number.
I have one in a coal-train consist that reliably shuttles through here. It is helpfully #1211, from the 2012 series that I'd heard nobody was currently leasing. Go figure!
The 1500's are still running around on CN and we had some 1400's too, but I haven't seen one of them for a while.
They pull as well as any other ES44AC and their cabs are better laid out than CN's units, with the microwave down in the nose and fully reclining seats. And no inward-facing cameras. I suspect they were built to Ferromex or BNSF specs, as they only had fridges (no microwave or hot plate) when CN started leasing them, and sometimes you have to use the "FXE" initials when setting up Distributed Power with them.
They also have pass-through ECP cables.
Because of the seats they are well liked by crews, and are my favourite units to run.
I've gotten a 1200 and multiple 1300s and 1400s on the BNSF this summer. They used to be confined to coal trains, but I've mostly found them on manifests this year.
One of the times I did get them on a coal train, a 1400 led a 1300, which isn't supposed to happen because they're not PTC equipped.
6711 is still owned by CP and listed in the Trackside guide. It's house in the heritage fleet repair shop and is used by the heritage department, mainly for car shunting.
What I'd like to know is what it was doing to 2816.
SD70Dude, where was that little goat pushing that majestic steamer? I can't seem to locate that area on Google maps - maybe the area's been relandscaped since the overhead photos were taken.
PakunaMatataSD70Dude, where was that little goat pushing that majestic steamer?
Some of this question was addressed over on RyPN ... with a little controversy. Best, probably, to say they knew what they were doing with it.
Overmod PakunaMatata SD70Dude, where was that little goat pushing that majestic steamer? Some of this question was addressed over on RyPN ... with a little controversy. Best, probably, to say they knew what they were doing with it.
PakunaMatata SD70Dude, where was that little goat pushing that majestic steamer?
RYPN thread:
http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34579&start=30
The controversy seems to have been about the future of 2860, not 2816.
That story is truly deserving of its own thread, if and when stuff starts to be publicly announced.
PakunaMatata 6711 is still owned by CP and listed in the Trackside guide. It's house in the heritage fleet repair shop and is used by the heritage department, mainly for car shunting. What I'd like to know is what it was doing to 2816. SD70Dude, where was that little goat pushing that majestic steamer? I can't seem to locate that area on Google maps - maybe the area's been relandscaped since the overhead photos were taken.
The current google maps shot was taken on August 31, 2017. Well before that area was landscaped.
If you have downloaded the full Google Earth program you can view every shot of an area they have ever taken, by using the historical imagery feature (clock icon).
2816's exact location in the photo is here, I used the warehouse in the background as a reference:
50.996537, -113.999453
SD70Dude PakunaMatata 6711 is still owned by CP and listed in the Trackside guide. It's house in the heritage fleet repair shop and is used by the heritage department, mainly for car shunting. What I'd like to know is what it was doing to 2816. SD70Dude, where was that little goat pushing that majestic steamer? I can't seem to locate that area on Google maps - maybe the area's been relandscaped since the overhead photos were taken. The current google maps shot was taken on August 31, 2017. Well before that area was landscaped. If you have downloaded the full Google Earth program you can view every shot of an area they have ever taken, by using the historical imagery feature (clock icon). 2816's exact location in the photo is here, I used the warehouse in the background as a reference: 50.996537, -113.999453
Huh. Wonder why they were moving her to the maintenance shed?
The 'Empress' is back in steam, if only temporarily:
https://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2020/11/canadian-pacific-no-2816-to-steam-again-for-holiday-train-video
Steam around the yard is better than no steam at all. Who knows? If enough people start asking "Why isn't it pulling the Christmas Train to begin with?" maybe, just maybe, it might lead to better things.
Flintlock76If enough people start asking "Why isn't it pulling the Christmas Train to begin with?" maybe, just maybe, it might lead to better things.
And they could have easily used CGI to produce it, instead of actually steaming the locomotive. Read between the lines. Someone was thinking.
I did see it was virtual. Big bloody deal. Virtual ain't real.
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they're steaming it up, at least it's something, but if they want to really impress me, and I imagine quite a few other people, get it back on the main line. If not this year than next year.
I can't see why this would have happened unless some bright bulb at CP didn't win the day with, "People need something to cheer them up this season. Many are going into lockdown again.." Although, who would come out to see it if people are being hard-pressed to stay home and to avoid others in public? Dunno....
Flintlock76Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they're steaming it up, at least it's something, but if they want to really impress me, and I imagine quite a few other people, get it back on the main line.
EDIT: full discussion is promised on RyPN as of Wednesday morning (Nov 18) - there's already a statement from CP asking that railfans and their flashes and drones be kept away while the 'virtual train' footage is being recorded.
I don't have any inside info, but my reading of the Canadian steam regulations does not reveal anything that expressly prohibits such an operation, even if the locomotive has not undergone a full American-style (tubes and flues removed) 1,472 day inspection in decades.
Rather, the regulations would seem to permit any operation that the boiler inspectors and other applicable regulators approve of.
I'm quite sure that CP's steam people got all the required approvals and did any work that the regulators required, which also means this steam-up was not done on a whim, they must have been planning this for months.
And for those who haven't seen it already, here's a short clip of 2816 backing away from the shop:
https://www.tiktok.com/foryou?lang=en#/@misspameladawn/video/6894794400120016130
From a couple years ago, the inside of CP heritage cars and their shop:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFO0YZMD_28
SD70Dude here's a short clip of 2816 backing away from the shop:
Oh wow! Steam in the snow! Can't beat it!
Thanks 'Dude! You made my day!
This latest CP-KCS announcement is the best one yet!
https://www.railwayage.com/freight/class-i/cpkc-a-powerful-combination/
From the article:
Provided the Surface Transportation Board gives its stamp of approval, a special celebration is planned to mark the official start-up the Class I railroad that will be named Canadian Pacific Kansas City, or CPKC. Creel told Railway Age that a commemorative business train will be operated from Calgary to Mexico City on the CPKC main line to mark the occasion—powered by none other than 2816, the iconic Empress steam locomotive. “We of course do not want to get out in front of the STB, but if all goes as anticipated, 2816 will be on the head end, in full steam.”
This is wonderful news. We'll get some new high quality video submissions to the www soon after this event.
2816 went out for a short trip around central Calgary yesterday, being towed by a diesel. The local railfan community spotted her and started speculating online as per usual. One of CP's heritage program employees was kind enough to post an explanation on the engine's Facebook fan page this evening. I like where this is going....
Jonathan Jeffrey Folks, Lots of speculation recently. To avoid any unhealthy rumours, here’s an update along with some additional information. Me and Justin, along with help from some fine local management, oiled up 2816 and headed down to 12th Street in Calgary yesterday for a trip around the wye. 2816 was facing the wrong direction for front end, superheater, and boiler tube removal. That’s all we will discuss on that for now, but will continue to update. It was a beautiful day, and we were greeted along the way by an impressive entourage of photographers and onlookers! It was wonderful to see 2816 get the attention she deserves again, even if briefly and not under steam. Dennis Cardy posted with regards to a backup locomotive for 2816. I’ve addressed the “second locomotive” speculation a couple of times, and will again for the last time. Dennis correctly stated there was “talk” about a backup locomotive. That’s all it ever was: talk. Although we would have loved to see another steam locomotive on the roster, when the idea was put forward (a long time ago now) the remaining executives at CP who remembered the cost overruns of the 2816 restoration immediately shot it down. It’s always fun to discuss “what ifs”, but for now we are focused on giving 2816 the attention she deserves and there is no possibility of CP restoring a second steam locomotive at this time. Lastly, who’s going to do the work? We will be assembling a crew who will be led by Justin and I. This crew will be made up of some old friends of 2816, along with some new ones too. As we start this process, Justin, Adam, myself, and the others involved continue to work tirelessly on the many moving parts of a new beginning. Best, The 2816 Crew
Folks,
Lots of speculation recently. To avoid any unhealthy rumours, here’s an update along with some additional information.
Me and Justin, along with help from some fine local management, oiled up 2816 and headed down to 12th Street in Calgary yesterday for a trip around the wye. 2816 was facing the wrong direction for front end, superheater, and boiler tube removal. That’s all we will discuss on that for now, but will continue to update.
It was a beautiful day, and we were greeted along the way by an impressive entourage of photographers and onlookers! It was wonderful to see 2816 get the attention she deserves again, even if briefly and not under steam.
Dennis Cardy posted with regards to a backup locomotive for 2816.
I’ve addressed the “second locomotive” speculation a couple of times, and will again for the last time.
Dennis correctly stated there was “talk” about a backup locomotive. That’s all it ever was: talk.
Although we would have loved to see another steam locomotive on the roster, when the idea was put forward (a long time ago now) the remaining executives at CP who remembered the cost overruns of the 2816 restoration immediately shot it down.
It’s always fun to discuss “what ifs”, but for now we are focused on giving 2816 the attention she deserves and there is no possibility of CP restoring a second steam locomotive at this time.
Lastly, who’s going to do the work? We will be assembling a crew who will be led by Justin and I. This crew will be made up of some old friends of 2816, along with some new ones too.
As we start this process, Justin, Adam, myself, and the others involved continue to work tirelessly on the many moving parts of a new beginning.
Best,
The 2816 Crew
Great explanation by the 2816 crew.. focussing on keeping this beautful engine in a state of good repair instead of bringing in another locomotive would be the best way to go I think given the funds available.
If they're pulling the front end throttle (?), superheater, and tubes, this lady won't be running for a few weeks. She must not have passed inspection. Oh well, it has been 21 years.
selector If they're pulling the front end throttle (?), superheater, and tubes, this lady won't be running for a few weeks. She must not have passed inspection. Oh well, it has been 21 years.
Either that or since they're going to run it here in the US they're making sure it's up to American specs?
It'd be embarassing if they get ready to make the "Grand Tour" and get stopped because it doesn't meet FRA standards.
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