Steam Locomotive Fans

CP 2816 moves past the photographers on a photo run-bye. Photo courtesy of Richard Higgs.

Canadian Pacific 2816 is a 4-6-4 Hudson type locomotive. It was recently restored by CP for use in excursion service accross the CP system (before this, Union Pacific was the only Class 1 railroad with a steam program). 2816 was part of one of CP's early orders for Hudson types in the 1930's. These locomotives pulled the hottest trains on the CP before they were eclipsed by the newer, more famous "Royal" Hudsons, as the CP's streamlined Hudsons were later called after one was used to pull the King and Queen of Britain's train during their Canadian Tour. CP has added ditchlights to the 2816, making it somewhat of a curiosity among currently operating steam locomotives, as no others are equipped with them (to my knowledge). Today 2816 is known to CP employees and railfans as the "Empress".

Richard Higgs

The 4-6-4 Hudson type locomotive was the super-power expansion of the 4-6-2 Pacific type. The NYC drew up the plans for the first Hudson, but The Milwuakee Road was the first railroad to build one. The Hudsons performed wonderfully in high speed passenger service, where speed is often more important than tractive effort. The Milwuakee Roads F7 class and the NYC's J3a class were some of the best Hudsons ever built. Unfortunantly, Hudsons were really only good for fast passenger running, they weren't very good freight locomotives. When diesels arrived, Hudsons were the first steamers to be scrapped, seeing as they were really only good for high speed passenger train service, which is what railroads bought diesels like Electromotive E units for. 4-6-2 Pacifics found a niche in branch line and commuter service, seeing as hauling light trains at moderate speeds was more effective with a 4-6-2 than than employing a large Hudson which would cost significantly more to operate.

Richard Higgs

Modeling Tips:

Modeling 2816 would be pretty difficult. No manufactuer has produced one in plastic. One brass company did import a very limited number (less than 200) of "Empress" class 4-6-4's in HO scale. They offered 2816, 2800 and 2818. The run was done for Van Hobbies of B.C., to celebrate the restoration of 2816.

More info coming soon