Bill Marchant and I are proud to have been invited to be part of the Rocky Mountain Rail Society team bringing 6060 home for a weekend visit before returning to Stettler awaiting a new season.

The engine put on quite a show and ran flawlessly for the entire trip. This trip was in part a dream, but in reality a culmination of hard work and dedication, shared by Harry Home and a troop of accomplished volunteers, retired railwaymen and skilled professionals from wide walks of life. Canadian National Railways gave no quarter when it came to high expectations of volunteers operating this massive engine. Division Engine Service Officer John Reynolds held a briefing outlining conduct and safety requirements on the equipment and property. By all accounts, the railway was pleased with the event carried out with joy for so many.

In the weeks preceding the trip, crews worked feverishly to meet regulatory requirements and put on finishing touches to the locomotive and attendant cars. On Saturday, October 20, #6060 backed out of the shop track, pushing a newly acquired Procor water car. Clearing the switch, she nosed into ex CN9039, baggage/tool car and proceeded to Stettler Station. Alberta Prairie Steam Train coach 7279 was added to the consist, here APST's Don Gillespie and company would provide coach seating , snacks, coffee and delicious meals for the volunteer support crew.

The consist moved over to West Stettler on Sunday to await the arrival of a CP transfer crew. CPR engine #3125 and CN engine #7077 coupled around noon for our reverse move on CP's Lacombe Subdivision. We then proceeded on CP's Brechter Sub to the CN/CP Interchange at Red Deer, where we tied up. Early on Monday, a light snow was falling as cars were shunted and CN engine #4766 was placed on the rear of our train. #6060 ran the 36.5 miles to Alix on the Brazeau Subdivision and 6.1 miles to Mirror in all her former glory on a clear wintry morning. At Mirror, the local Fire Department topped up our water. On to Camrose and Bretville Junction and Walker Yard in Edmonton.

Tuesday, #6060 was watered, fueled and lubed as CN marshaled coaches scattered through the yard, eventually 6060's train would back onto the assembled consist on the Lumber Spur. Early Wednesday CN coupled up engine #4766 as pilot for our run to Edson. #6060 leaned into the idling 4766 at 0830 with the following consist in tow; Procor 78974 Water Car, ex CN 9039 Baggage Tool Car, APST 7279 Coach ( Diner), CN/IC 103 & 102 E9's (idling as head end coach power), Rocky Mountain Rail Tours Coaches 3224 & 3030, RMR 9511 Dome Car, VIA Coaches 8112 & 8504, VIA Alexandra, VIA Stuart Manor, CN Coureur De Bois, CN Tawa, CN Gatineau and CN Sanford Fleming. Her stack talk echoing off trackside buildings, 6060 soon cleared Walker Yard and reached track speed. To-day we would tie up in Edson where even larger throngs milled about as the local Fire Department quenched the locomotive's thirst.

Thursday in clear, cold skies and a skiff of fresh snow she roared by Wabamun, Obed, Entwhistle and Chip Lake as if in a hurry on a day we hoped could never end. At Hinton a throng of volunteers descended on 6060 to wipe her down and polish her brass for tomorrow's grand show.

Friday dawned crisp and cloudy with a stiff wind in her face. Steam and smoke trailed over the train giving an impression of speed over her "excursion train" speed limit of 25 miles per hour. More than 300 guests, managers and dignitaries were now on board to relive the romance of steam and passenger rail travel. School children lined the trackside waving Canada flags and singing O Canada. A greater impression could not have been made as many of these youngsters saw a live steam engine for the first time. Through Entrance, Solomon, Swan Landing and Brule ahead of schedule the train stopped at Devona for passengers to savour the snow covered peaks and wind swept Jasper Lake. Railfans lined the highway across the lake, anxious for the track to return to the highway side. #6060 put on a real show as she burst across the Howe Truss Bridge at Henry House. The race was on as the still cameras leapfrogged the videos trackside arriving in Jasper at 1245h.

Passengers detrained and assembled as the platform guests were introduced. Harry Home received a rousing good cheer for his dream to preserve 6060 and see mainline action. J.T McBain, Senior Vice President-Operations for CNR Western Region acknowledged Harry's commitment to CN as an employee and a retired ambassador. The station was formally dedicated as Jasper Heritage Railway Station, a cooperative effort of Canadian National, Canada Lands and Parks Canada. Tours were conducted by Parks Canada and The Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives. A reception was held at the Jasper Activity Centre were several historic railway photos and artifacts were on display. The Wainwright Railway Museum displays and the Edmonton Model Railway were on display at the Elementary School, probably the largest and most detailed modular layout in Western Canada. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Local 898 put on a pancake breakfast on Sunday. #6060 remained on display throughout the weekend and souvenirs were offered to purchase. Alberta Pioneer Railway No. 9000, CN's first road diesel was also on display.

There are so many to be grateful to for such an event, especially the retired railway engineers and firemen who willingly pass on their art and trade to younger generations, these people make everything possible. One of our volunteers, retired CNR engineer Tom Arnott, aged 73 died on October 28. Tom came out to share his experience with us and this article is dedicated to him.