The Crown Jewel of our collection, 2860 is one of 65 Hudson type 4-6-4 steam locomotives built for the CPR by Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW). This engine was finished in June, 1940. See this magnificent locomotive inside the CN Roundhouse. Climb into the cab, ring the bell!
This series of engines was numbered 2800 to 2864, and the first was delivered in 1929. Starting with No. 2820, the Hudsons got the streamlining treatments so popular in the 1930’s. No. 2850 (now at Exporail near Montreal) was assigned to haul the Royal Train during the visit to Canada by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939. The locomotive performed flawlessly and impressed the King greatly. The CPR received permission to designate the streamlined Hudsons “Royal” and eventually each locomotive was equipped with a crown fastened to their running boards.
The engine and loaded tender weigh 293,770 kgs (648,000 lbs) and has a tractive effort of 19,2004 kgs (42,250 lbs). It is capable of speeds of 144 kph (90 mph). The locomotive and tender have a total length of 27.27 m (90’ 10”), and is 4.7 m (15’ 10”) high. The tender has a capacity of 54,600 litres (12,000 gallons) of water and 18,614 litres (4,1000 gallons) of fuel oil.
Five CPR Hudsons were saved, Nos. 2816, 2839, 2850, 2858 and 2860. Our No. 2860 was restored for a proposed Railway Museum in Vancouver. In 1974, the Province of British Columbia bought the locomotive for an excursion train. The Royal Hudson ran on BC Rail track from North Vancouver to Squamish. In 2000, the province leased the engine to the district of Squamish for display and restoration at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park.