I understand that the CP favored 2-10-4 Selkirks for the mountainous region between Calgary and Revelstoke, but what power was predominant on CP west of Revelstoke in the 30s and 40s?
Generally, 2-8-2's and 4-6-2's, on both sides of Revelstoke. The Selkirks were relatively late-comers in the steam era and were assigned in pusher service or as the head-end on passenger consists on both sides of Revelstoke, depending on trailing tonnage in each case and meeting timetable demands, although only a short distance west...by far their heaviest usage was between Calgary and Revelstoke.
Thank you Selector..
Don't forget that CP also had some 2-10-0 and 2-10-2 locomotives, some of which also called Revelstoke home. But their use would have primarily been east of Revelstoke, and perhaps as helpers west to Taft in the Eagle Pass.
The large flow of export and import traffic we see now was not a big feature in the steam era. The majority of grain flowed east to the Lakehead, unit trains of sulphur and potash were way in the future, and coal would be for domestic consumption. Manufactured goods were mostly made at home rather than Asia.
As Selector says, west of Revelstoke 4-6-2s on passenger trains, 2-8-2s on freights. East of Revelstoke I believe 10-coupled engines were favoured for both.
John
Thanks John..
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