Canadian Pacific Railway #2816 Hudson steam locomotive arrived at the BC Rail Steam Shop
September 30 at 5:50 PM for a detailed inspection which may result in complete restoration.
It marked the end of a 19 day 3,276 mile journey from Steamtown
National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania to the steam shops at BC Rail in North
Vancouver, British Columbia.
The 2816 is a Hudson class (4-6-4 wheel arrangement) similar
to BC Rail's Royal Hudson #2860 but the 2816 is older, is not
streamlined, and is a coal-burner.
The 2816 was built by Montreal Locomotive Works in 1930 and operated on
Canadian Pacific mainline between Toronto and Quebec City until 1960.
It was sold in 1964 to the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton,
Pennsylvania and recently repatriated to Canadian Pacific.
Not being operated for over 35 years, the locomotive required some
running gear work before it could be moved. The front (pony) truck was rebuilt by the
BC Rail Steam Shop and the main rods were removed for the trip out West.
Al Broadfoot, BC Rail's lead hand at the Steam Shop assisted in preparing
the locomotive for the movement from Scranton, and accompanied the
locomotive on the trip. An important innovation developed by Al Broadfoot
for the journey was the precision counterweights required for the drive
wheels to be balanced for the track speed movement. The 2816 left
Scranton on September 12th, pulled by three diesel locomotives and
accompanied by a parts/tools boxcar, and two business cars for the crews.
The trip was generally uneventful with typical 40 mph track speed and no
delay to revenue trains on CPR. Also on board were BC Rail's
Trainmaster/Road Foremen John Wetzel and Devon Generous, along with CP
staff.
Canadian Pacific has contracted BC Rail to perform the detailed inspection
of the unit and a hydro-test of the boiler to determine whether it is
serviceable. If the boiler is beyond repair, the 2816 will likely receive
only a cosmetic restoration for static display at CP in Calgary. If the
boiler is serviceable, the unit is expected to be restored to operating
condition, including conversion from the current coal to fuel oil
operation. The restoration is expected to be done at BC Rail's Steam Shop,
and if made operational, the unit will be used by Canadian Pacific for
special occasions, complementing their private cars.
The inspection of the 2816 is planned to commence by the end of October and
restoration is scheduled for 1999.
