This photograph is of the CPR’s class P2c Mikado #5326, that was built in October 1923 by Montreal Locomotive Works. The name of the photographer is not known, but the photo is from the Lance Camp collection. Lance and I agree that this picture was taken at the Divisional point of North Bend, BC, but the date is unknown.
This is the locomotive on which my father and I made our first trip together as Engineer and Fireman. The date of that run was May 10, 1943 when I was only 18 years of age, and dad was to retire in three and a half years at the age of 65.
These were very popular mainline freight locomotives, and 162 of this class were built between 1919 and 1944. They hauled freight trains at all points in Canada except for Vancouver Island and some light rail branch lines such as the Kettle Valley. They were also used extensively in pusher service in places like North Bend and the Field Hill. The only places that I recall them being used regularly in passenger service was on the CPR’s summer train “The Mountaineer”, which connected with their Soo Line and operated between Vancouver and Chicago. The trip between Field, BC and Calgary, Alberta of this train was handled by P2’s.
Watch for the full story of “Working With Dad” coming up in a future issue of WCRA News.
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