Given the modern, bottom-line-driven corporate attitude of today's class 1 railroads, it seemed improbable that a second major North American railroad would sponsor a corporate steam program given the associated costs. Yet, in spite of the challenges, CPKC restored the railway's magnificent H-1-b 4-6-4 #2816 to operation in celebration of the completion of the CP-KCS merger. When it was announced that the engine would run from its' base in Calgary to Mexico City starting in April 2024, I looked for a way to see it at least once, which wouldn't be easy since I'm from Ontario and the engine would not make it within 500 miles of my home... Luckily, the stars aligned and I was able to fly out west and chase the train from Dunmore, AB, to Minot, ND over the span of three days. Later, I was able to chase it from Heavener, OK to just outside of Houston, TX, which will be covered in future videos.
This video covers the first day of the chase, April 27th; it was a cool, overcast day in the prairies, but as long as it wasn't raining, I was happy! After spending the night at Dunmore, just east of Medicine Hat, the train proceeded east on the Maple Creek subdivision towards Swift Current, SK (fortunately, after removing that hideous hydrogen fuel-cell engine that was in the consist the prior day!). The train proceeded at nearly track speed for most of the day, slowing only for meets and to service the engine. Luckily, the CPKC main line basically parallels the Trans-Canada Highway the entire way to Moose Jaw, but even still, at times it was difficult to keep up with the train. I managed to catch it at Irvine and Walsh in Alberta, then at Hatton, SK, before the first steam engine servicing stop took place at Maple Creek. From there, it was another quick run through the sandhills of southwest Saskatchewan through Gull Lake - the site of a few old wooden grain elevators - to Swift Current, a division point and crew change point to this day. Here, another steam servicing stop took place and eastbound freight train 444 was working the yard. I found it interesting to compare the vintage steam engine and passenger cars to the modern, routine business of running freights.
From Swift Current, the train was observed at the overpass east of Waldeck, before meeting a westbound loaded grain train at Herbert, the site of a neat old wooden grain elevator. Another meet took place at the next siding east of Herbert, Chaplin, with a westbound intermodal train. From here, it was another high speed run through Parkbeg, Mortlach, and onto Caron where another westbound stack train was waiting. Afterwards, it was an easy downhill run to Moose Jaw, the site of a major yard facility and the trains' second public display the following day.
It goes without saying that none of this would have been possible without CPKC corporate approval and the thousands of hours of hard work by the CPKC steam crew - the railfan community owes them a huge debt of gratitude, and it was fascinating to see railfans from all over North America, locals, and people that had no real connection to the railway all come out just to see the train.
Stay tuned for Part 2 from Moose Jaw to Minot, as well as future videos covering the trip south over Rich Mountain and down the ex-KCS Beaumont sub.
Thank you for watching!
00:00 Map & Intro
00:52 Morning at Dunmore
06:40 Eastbound through Irvine, Walsh, and Hatton
09:51 Maple Creek
13:06 Piapot and Gull Lake
15:58 Swift Current
22:22 Waldeck and Herbert
26:47 Chaplin
29:14 Parkbeg and Mortlach
31:33 Caron
36:53 Arrival at Moose Jaw
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